Fundamentals of Geology Exam
Questions with Latest Update
When water contacts pyrite at the earth's surface, the runoff is commonly: - Answer-
Acidic
In an eolian sand aquifer, hydraulic conductivity would be expected to generally: -
Answer-Be uniform
Which of the following pairs likely would be composed of sediments with DIFFERENT
grain size and sorting characteristics? - Answer-Outwash plain - end moraine
It has been determined that a prospective strippable reserve contains 1000 acres (1
acre = 43,560 sq. ft.) of lignite in beds averaging 20 feet in thickness. Assume specific
gravity of 1.28 (80 lbs/ft3). What is the reserve in tons? - Answer-34,848,000
The scale for describing the effects or damage caused by an earthquake at a given
geographic location is called the: - Answer-Modified Mercalli scale
Which statement best describes the effect of diagenesis on the overall quality of an
oil/gas reservoir? - Answer-Diagenesis may enhance or diminish reservoir quality
The rate of production from a subsurface reservoir is most directly related to: - Answer-
Permeability
What is the best radiometric dating technique to determine the age difference between
two Miocene-age volcanic ash deposits separated by 500 feet vertically? - Answer-
Potassium-Argon
What geophysical method would generally be most effective to map deeply buried
(1500' deep) bedrock pediments? - Answer-Seismic reflection
A groundwater model is considered calibrated when: - Answer-Hydraulic heads and
fluxes reproduce the system modeled within an acceptable
tolerance
A rock described as argillaceous: - Answer-Is clay-rich
The creation of new oceanic crust is balanced by: - Answer-An equal amount of old
ocean crust being subducted
When collecting duplicate samples to validate the quality of the laboratory results, the
geologist should always: - Answer-Be sure that the duplicates cannot be identified by
the lab
, A stream crosses a strike-slip fault with no deviation in its course. Which of the following
statements must be true? - Answer-The stream crossed the fault since the last fault
movement
The horizontal scale of a cross-section is 1:24,000; the vertical scale is 1 inch equals
1000 feet. The vertical exaggeration is: - Answer-2x
A topographic map shows several circular depressions in a limestone region. What are
these features called? - Answer-Dolines
A cross-stratified sand lens that contains thin streaks of mud in the ripple troughs is
called: - Answer-Flaser bedding
In which of the following areas are the largest volumes of andesite lava commonly
extruded? - Answer-Where oceanic lithosphere is subducting beneath continental crust
Which of the following safety factor (SF) values for slope stability shows that a slope is
considered stable: - Answer-Greater than one (1)
The effects of solution during diagenesis can be seen in: - Answer-Stylolites
Limestones containing appreciable amounts of clay are represented graphically on a
lithologic log by: - Answer-Modifying the limestone symbol by adding a short dash within
each box
You find that in developing a GIS product with several layers of information, there is an
apparent conflict between the USGS topographic map completed in 1975 data layer and
recently acquired geologic data layer information with GPS locational control, the
problem is likely to be: - Answer-Failure to make adjustments relative to the 1983 North
American Datum (NAD)
An esker is a: - Answer-Sinuous ridge subparallel to glacial flow composed
predominantly of sand and gravel
Biostratigraphic zones are employed to establish: - Answer-Age equivalence within
sedimentary sequences
What Liquid Limit (LL) and Plasticity Index (PI) values would be associated with a soil
classified CH? - Answer-LL = 63 and PI = 38
Lithostratigraphic sequences can be used to interpret: - Answer-Geologic history
Which of the following anions is the least reactive and most persistent tracer of a
geochemical contaminant plume? - Answer-Cl-1
Questions with Latest Update
When water contacts pyrite at the earth's surface, the runoff is commonly: - Answer-
Acidic
In an eolian sand aquifer, hydraulic conductivity would be expected to generally: -
Answer-Be uniform
Which of the following pairs likely would be composed of sediments with DIFFERENT
grain size and sorting characteristics? - Answer-Outwash plain - end moraine
It has been determined that a prospective strippable reserve contains 1000 acres (1
acre = 43,560 sq. ft.) of lignite in beds averaging 20 feet in thickness. Assume specific
gravity of 1.28 (80 lbs/ft3). What is the reserve in tons? - Answer-34,848,000
The scale for describing the effects or damage caused by an earthquake at a given
geographic location is called the: - Answer-Modified Mercalli scale
Which statement best describes the effect of diagenesis on the overall quality of an
oil/gas reservoir? - Answer-Diagenesis may enhance or diminish reservoir quality
The rate of production from a subsurface reservoir is most directly related to: - Answer-
Permeability
What is the best radiometric dating technique to determine the age difference between
two Miocene-age volcanic ash deposits separated by 500 feet vertically? - Answer-
Potassium-Argon
What geophysical method would generally be most effective to map deeply buried
(1500' deep) bedrock pediments? - Answer-Seismic reflection
A groundwater model is considered calibrated when: - Answer-Hydraulic heads and
fluxes reproduce the system modeled within an acceptable
tolerance
A rock described as argillaceous: - Answer-Is clay-rich
The creation of new oceanic crust is balanced by: - Answer-An equal amount of old
ocean crust being subducted
When collecting duplicate samples to validate the quality of the laboratory results, the
geologist should always: - Answer-Be sure that the duplicates cannot be identified by
the lab
, A stream crosses a strike-slip fault with no deviation in its course. Which of the following
statements must be true? - Answer-The stream crossed the fault since the last fault
movement
The horizontal scale of a cross-section is 1:24,000; the vertical scale is 1 inch equals
1000 feet. The vertical exaggeration is: - Answer-2x
A topographic map shows several circular depressions in a limestone region. What are
these features called? - Answer-Dolines
A cross-stratified sand lens that contains thin streaks of mud in the ripple troughs is
called: - Answer-Flaser bedding
In which of the following areas are the largest volumes of andesite lava commonly
extruded? - Answer-Where oceanic lithosphere is subducting beneath continental crust
Which of the following safety factor (SF) values for slope stability shows that a slope is
considered stable: - Answer-Greater than one (1)
The effects of solution during diagenesis can be seen in: - Answer-Stylolites
Limestones containing appreciable amounts of clay are represented graphically on a
lithologic log by: - Answer-Modifying the limestone symbol by adding a short dash within
each box
You find that in developing a GIS product with several layers of information, there is an
apparent conflict between the USGS topographic map completed in 1975 data layer and
recently acquired geologic data layer information with GPS locational control, the
problem is likely to be: - Answer-Failure to make adjustments relative to the 1983 North
American Datum (NAD)
An esker is a: - Answer-Sinuous ridge subparallel to glacial flow composed
predominantly of sand and gravel
Biostratigraphic zones are employed to establish: - Answer-Age equivalence within
sedimentary sequences
What Liquid Limit (LL) and Plasticity Index (PI) values would be associated with a soil
classified CH? - Answer-LL = 63 and PI = 38
Lithostratigraphic sequences can be used to interpret: - Answer-Geologic history
Which of the following anions is the least reactive and most persistent tracer of a
geochemical contaminant plume? - Answer-Cl-1
