Geology 101 Knapp 1 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Scientific Method
answer
A general procedure by which scientists propose and test hypothesis that explain some aspect of how the physical universe works. 1) collecting data 2) formulating a hypothesis 3) testing the hypothesis 4) stating conclusions
question
hypothesis
answer
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
question
geologic record
answer
the information preserved in rock that have formed throughout time
question
principle of uniformitarianism
answer
Earth processes occurring today are similar to those that occurred in the past.
question
topography
answer
the general configuration of varying heights that gives shape to Earth's surface, which is measured with respect to sea level.
question
seismic waves
answer
A ground vibration produced by an earthquake.
question
Core
answer
mostly iron and nickel
question
Mantle
answer
The region that forms the main bulk of Earth, between the crust and core, containing rocks of intermediate density, mostly compounds of oxygen with magnesium, Iron, and Silicon.
question
Crust
answer
composed of low-density silicates, rich in aluminum and potassium
question
Inner Core
answer
solid metallic sphere suspended within liquid outer core
question
Outer Core
answer
liquid sphere surrounding solid inner core
question
Earth system
answer
understanding Earth as an interaction of many systems (spheres)
question
geosystems
answer
specialized subsystems that produce specific types of behaviors, such as climate change or mountain building.
question
climate
answer
Describes an area's average weather over a long period of time. Also includes measures of how variable the weather has been.
question
Lithosphere
answer
A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust. One of four spheres into which scientists divide Earth.
question
Asthenosphere
answer
Highly deformable (plastic/weak/ductile) upper mantle below lithosphere. Allows plates to move.
question
Plate Tectonics
answer
The theory that explains how large pieces of the lithosphere, called plates, move and change shape.
question
magnetic field
answer
The energy field created by the spinning of the inner and outer cores.
question
geodynamo
answer
Geosystem phenomenon in which the iron-rich fluid is electrically charged, thus generating a magnetic field similar to an electromagnet.
question
fossils
answer
traces of organisms preserved in the geologic record.
question
continental drift
answer
large-scale movement of continents
question
Pangea
answer
Wgener's supposed "super continent", before continental drift.
question
seafloor spreading
answer
The process that creates new sea floor as plates move away from each other at the mid-ocean ridges. (Hess' theory)
question
divergent boundaries
answer
plates move apart and new lithosphere is created (plate area increases) Ex: Mid-Ocean Ridges, African Great Rift boundaries
question
convergent boundaries
answer
plates come together and one plate is recycled into the mantle (plate area decreases)
question
transform faults
answer
plates slide horizontally past each other (plate area does not change).
question
mid-ocean ridge
answer
undersea mountain chain that exhibits earth-quakes, volcanism, and rifting, all caused by the (stretching) forces of mantle CONVECTION that are pulling the two plates apart.
question
O
answer
Oxygen (Mantle,
question
Mg
answer
Magnesium (Mantle,
question
Al
answer
Aluminum
question
Fe
answer
Iron (Mantle, Core
question
Si
answer
Silicon (Mantle,
question
Ni
answer
Nickel (Core,
question
spreading centers
answer
the seafloor spreads as magma wells up into the rifts to form new oceanic crust.
question
Magma
answer
molten rock BELOW Earth's surface
question
Lava
answer
Molten rock ABOVE Earth's surface
question
Transform, Divergent, Convergent
answer
The three types of plate boundaries.
question
Ocean-Ocean
answer
Convergent boundary (subduction zone) where one plate goes up, and the other goes down underneath. Water from subducted plate causes melting and generates volcanoes at surface. Ex: Japan
question
Ocean-continent
answer
Convergent boundary (subduction zone) where continental crust overrides oceanic plate because it is lighter/less dense). Continent's edge is uplifted into a mountain chain parallel to deep sea trench. Also earthquakes and volcanoes. Ex: Andes
question
Continent-continent
answer
Convergent boundary where both continents remain afloat, and the crust crumbles, creating high mountains and wide plateaus. Ex: Himalaya
question
Transform Plate Boundary
answer
lithosphere is neither created, nor destroyed during the horizontal displacement between adjacent plates. Slide past each other.
question
Subduction
answer
One plate going under another plate.
question
Mantle Convection
answer
Drives plate-tectonics.
question
reversed
answer
Oceanic crust that records negative magnetic anomalies formed when Earth's magnetic field was ______ from what it is today.
question
isochrons
answer
On a map of oceanic crust, boundaries between normally and reversely magnetized oceanic crust are called ________.
question
Minerals
answer
naturally occurring inorganic Characteristic Chemical Composition Distinct Physical Properties crystalline structure Ex: diamond, Gypsum, rock salt. COAL IS NOT A MINERAL (because it's organic)
question
Element
answer
A pure substance that is made up of only one kind of atom, that cannot be separated by ordinary processes.
question
Na
answer
Sodium
question
Ca
answer
Calcium
question
K
answer
Potassium
question
Atom
answer
Smallest possible unit of an element.
question
electrons
answer
# of ______ = # of protons
question
Isotopes
answer
Atoms of the same element with different numbers of NEUTRONS.
question
Ions
answer
When an atom loses or gains an ELECTRON to or from another atom.
question
cations
answer
Positively charged Ions (LOSS of an electron)
question
anion
answer
Negatively charged Ion (GAIN of an electron)
question
Chemical bonds
answer
atoms of elements that make up compounds and are held together by -electrical forces of attraction between electrons and protons-.
question
Ionic bonding
answer
attraction of opposite charges. Simplest and MOST COMMON chemical bond.
question
Covalent bonding
answer
sharing of electrons in outer shells. Involves elements that don't readily form ions, forms stronger and more stable bond. Ex: Diamond = Carbon with covalent bonds
question
Metallic bonding
answer
sharing of an electron CLOUD around several nuclei.
question
Hardness, cleavage, fracture, luster, color, streak, density, crystal habit,
answer
Identify minerals according to:
question
Hardness
answer
Resistance to scratching. Talc is softest, Diamond is hardest.
question
cleavage
answer
Tendency to break along even planes. Best _____(s) have Ionic Bonds.
question
Fracture
answer
Tendency to break along uneven, irregular planes.
question
Luster
answer
The way a mineral reflects light.
question
Color
answer
The first thing you notice, not always accurate.
question
Streak
answer
The color of the powder left behind on a streak plate.
question
Crystal habit
answer
Shape that the mineral takes on.
question
10
answer
Sodium as an atomic # of 11, how many electrons will the sodium ion Na+ have?
question
Ionic
answer
Cleavage in minerals is controlled by the ______ arrangement of atoms.
question
Rocks
answer
Naturally occurring aggregates/combinations of one or more minerals. Ex: marble, granite, sandstone
question
Mineralogy
answer
The study of relative proportions of constituent minerals and their properties. (ends with logy) Can be used to describe a rock.
question
Texture
answer
Describes the sizes and shapes of its mineral crystals and the way they are assembled. Can be used to describe a rock.
question
Solid, liquid, or gas
answer
All matter exists as either:
question
Temperature and Pressure
answer
Increases with depth.
question
Composition
answer
combination of elements.
question
Igneous
answer
Type of rock that is cooled from MAGMA. Ex: Granite
question
Sedimentary
answer
Type of rock that is the result of processes (weathering) ONLY on the SURFACE of Earth. Ex: Sandstone
question
Metamorphic
answer
Rock formed under high temperatures and pressures in the DEEP crust. Recrystallization in SOLID state (does not melt). Ex: Gneiss
question
Any rock type
answer
___ ____ ____ can be turned into any other type (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) via the rock cycle.
question
Pressure, water content, rock composition
answer
Factors affecting melting of minerals: 1) P_________: when increased, melting point is raised. 2) W_____ C_______: When increased, lowers melting point. 3) R____ C___________: Felsic minerals melt at lower temperatures than Mafic minerals.
question
Felsic
answer
Rich in Silicon (Si).
question
Mafic
answer
Rich in Iron (Fe) and Magnesium (Mg). Ex: magnesium-ferric
question
Intrusive rocks
answer
Rocks cooled inside the Earth. Often have larger crystals, cooled slowly.
question
Extrusive rocks
answer
Rocks cooled on the surface of the Earth. Often have smaller crystals, cooled quickly.
question
Plutons
answer
Large igneous bodies that form at depth in the Earth's crust.
question
Intermediate
answer
Andesite is an example of an ___________ igneous rock.
question
Utramafic
answer
Has the lowest silica content.
question
Basalt
answer
Mafic lava that runs onto the surface, makes up most of the Hawaiian Islands.
question
Clastic Sediments
answer
Accumulations of solid rock fragments produced by weathering of pre-existing rocks.
question
Chemical sediments
answer
Accumulations of substances precipitated from ionic species in water.
question
Biochemical sediments
answer
same as chemical, but with involvement of biologic organisms.
question
Subsidence
answer
Sedimentary basins are formed by _______ (process), which includes: - compaction - cementation - diagenesis -recrystallization
question
Compaction
answer
Removal of pore space and pore fluid (physical). A process that squeezes sediments together to form sedimentary rocks.
question
Cementation
answer
Precipitation of new minerals between grains. (chemical). The process in which minerals precipitate into pore spaces between sediment grains and bind sediments together to form rock.
question
Diagenesis
answer
All the processes that convert sediment into rock at low temperature and pressure (compaction and cementation).
question
Recrystallization
answer
Change of mineral form due to chemical reactions in rocks during metamorphism (no melting involved)
