Geology 101 Midterm Exam 1 2025
Questions and Answers
The ___________ is the relatively cool brittle plates of plate tectonics. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
lithosphere
A ______ is a well-tested and widely accepted set of explanations that best explains certain scientific
observations. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-theory
All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation except for _________ . - Correct
Answer✔️✔️-assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation
_________ rocks form by crystallization and solidification of molten magma or lava. - Correct
Answer✔️✔️-Igneous
In correct order from the center outward, Earth includes which units? - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
Which one of the following statements is NOT correct? - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Sedimentary rocks
may undergo weathering and thus become igneous rocks.
Correct statements - Correct Answer✔️✔️-1. Magmas crystallize to form igneous rocks.
2. Igneous rocks can undergo metamorphism.
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, 3. Metamorphic rocks may melt to become magma.
4. Igneous rocks may undergo weathering and produce sediments.
The composition of the inner core of Earth is thought to be _______ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
solid iron-nickel alloy
The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ________ of the Earth. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-mantle
The __________ is a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-outer
core
The age of Earth is ________ years. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-4,600,000,000
A typical rate of seafloor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean is ________ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-2
centimeters per year
Which of the following statements apply to the asthenosphere, but not the lithosphere? - Correct
Answer✔️✔️-Zone in the upper mantle that deforms by plastic flowage.
New oceanic crust and oceanic lithosphere are formed at _______ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma.
Cooler, older, oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at ______ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
subduction zones along convergent plate boundaries
Why is so much basaltic magma erupted along mid-ocean ridges? - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Lowered
pressures decrease the temperatures at which basalt magma can partially melt from a rising plume of
solid mantle peridotite.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Questions and Answers
The ___________ is the relatively cool brittle plates of plate tectonics. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
lithosphere
A ______ is a well-tested and widely accepted set of explanations that best explains certain scientific
observations. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-theory
All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation except for _________ . - Correct
Answer✔️✔️-assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation
_________ rocks form by crystallization and solidification of molten magma or lava. - Correct
Answer✔️✔️-Igneous
In correct order from the center outward, Earth includes which units? - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
Which one of the following statements is NOT correct? - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Sedimentary rocks
may undergo weathering and thus become igneous rocks.
Correct statements - Correct Answer✔️✔️-1. Magmas crystallize to form igneous rocks.
2. Igneous rocks can undergo metamorphism.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, 3. Metamorphic rocks may melt to become magma.
4. Igneous rocks may undergo weathering and produce sediments.
The composition of the inner core of Earth is thought to be _______ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
solid iron-nickel alloy
The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ________ of the Earth. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-mantle
The __________ is a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-outer
core
The age of Earth is ________ years. - Correct Answer✔️✔️-4,600,000,000
A typical rate of seafloor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean is ________ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-2
centimeters per year
Which of the following statements apply to the asthenosphere, but not the lithosphere? - Correct
Answer✔️✔️-Zone in the upper mantle that deforms by plastic flowage.
New oceanic crust and oceanic lithosphere are formed at _______ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma.
Cooler, older, oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at ______ . - Correct Answer✔️✔️-
subduction zones along convergent plate boundaries
Why is so much basaltic magma erupted along mid-ocean ridges? - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Lowered
pressures decrease the temperatures at which basalt magma can partially melt from a rising plume of
solid mantle peridotite.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
