GEOLOGY 1 – EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Vicki Drake - Spring 2003
Definitions:
Physical Geology – Historical Geology
Catastrophism: Definition of – Bishop Ussher – Age of Earth under Catastrophism
Uniformitarianism: Definition of: - James Hutton, Charles Lyell
Age-Dating: Law of Superposition (horizontality), Law of Succession
Earth’s Early History: Formation, accretion, Iron Catastrophe, layering and differentiation of Earth
Plate Tectonics: General theory, plate boundary interaction (convergent, divergent, and transform)
MINERALS
Define these terms: rocks, minerals, elements, atoms, ions, isotopes, electrons, protons, electric charges
Electron Bonding: Ionic bonds, metallic bonds, covalent bonds, Van der Waals bonds
Relative strength of each type
Crystallization: Internal structure/atomic arrangement –
Silicate Mineral Structure: Tetrahedron: isolated, single chain, double chain, sheet and
framework(give an example of the crystalline structure for certain minerals – i.e., quartz,
micas,
amphiboles, pyroxenes, etc.)
Major Mineral Groups: Silicate and Non-Silicate Minerals: Define each, give examples of each type
Silicates: Quartz, Feldspars, Amphiboles, Pyroxenes (examples of each type)
Non-Silicates:
Carbonates: Calcite (CaCO3)
Sulfates: Gypsum (CaSO4●2H2O)
Halides: Halites (NaCl)
(Metal Ores) Sulfides – Galena (PbS – lead sulfide ore)
Oxides – Hematite (Fe2O3 – iron oxide ore)
Native Metals/Elements: Gold (Au) Silver (Ag)
Copper (Cu)
Platinum (Pt)
Mineral Identification:
Properties: Color
Fracture
Streak
Luster
Effervescence
Hardness (Moh’s Scale)
Specific Gravity
Cleavage
IGNEOUS ROCKS
Identification of Igneous Rocks: Texture and Chemical Composition
Texture: Aphanetic, Phaneritic, Porphyritic and Pegmatitic
Chemical Composition: Felsic, Intermediate, Mafic and Ultramafic
What melts a rock: Heat
Pressure
Water (flux)
Bowen’s Reaction Series: Discontinuous and Continuous Series (Felsic to Ultramafic Igneous rocks)
Why does magma rise: Buoyancy
Hydrostatic pressure
How does magma rise: Segregation of liquids
Diapiric rise
Zone Melting
Xenolith formation: partial melting and inclusion of country rock into melt
Plutons: - formation and types: Dikes
Sills
Laccolith
Lopolith
Batholith
Relationship between Phaneritic/Aphanetic Igneous Rocks
Types of Volcanoes: Stratovolcano – Composite
Plug Dome
Shield
(name a volcano for each type)
Explosivity Controls: Viscosity (temperature and composition of magma)
1
Cinder Cone
Dissolved gases
Pressure
Types of Eruptions: Hawaiian
Strombolian
Vulcanian
Pelean
Plinian
Steam Blast
Flood Basalts
Eruptions/Structures/ Forms
Calderas: Lake Toba, Crater Lake (former Mt. Mazama)
Pyroclastic Material: Volcanic bombs, lapilli (cinders), ash, Nueé Ardente
Lava Types: Basalt: More fluid flow, mafic minerals
Pahoehoe: ropey, smooth, fluid flow (early flow)
Aa: clinkery, lumpy, sharp-edged (late flow)
Pillow Basalt: lava flowing beneath ocean
Dacite: felsic magma (63-68% silica) - explosive
Rhyolite: felsic magma (>68% silica) – explosive
Volcano Locations (global)
Convergent Plate boundaries
Divergent Plate boundaries
Intraplate “Hot Spots” (mantle plumes)
HOW ABOUT A SAMPLE TEST?
2
Rhyolitic Flood