GEO FINAL STUDY GUIDE

Geology 101
Complete Final Exam Study Guide
All Questions Answered Fall 2012

Chapter 1 – Earth in Context
 Understand the workings behind the scientific method. What are the different steps and the balances and checks associated with the scientific method.
Recognizing the problem
Collecting data
Proposing hypotheses
Test hypotheses
Form theory
 The Earth began to differentiate forming a stratified Earth. How does density change with depth? What are these zones (not necessary to memorize depths)? How are these zones (Fig 1.1) grouped to form the Geodynamo System and Plate Tectonic system? Which one makes up the tectonic plates? Which zones are strong and which ones are weak or ductile?
Crust (Crust is the least dense, makes up the tectonic plates)
Continental
Oceanic
Mantle (Ductile)
Upper Mantle
Lower Mantle
Core (Core is the most dense)
Liquid outer core
Solid inner core
 How old is the Earth?
The earth is 4.53 billion years old
 What is the theory of plate tectonics? What is the driving force behind plate tectonics?
Earths crust is made of individual plates that are constantly moving and shifting
Driving force = convection Chapter 2 – The Way the Earth Works: Plate Tectonics
 What type of plate boundary do earthquakes occur at? What type of plate boundary do volcanoes occur at?
Earthquakes- convergent and transform boundaries
Volcanoes- convergent plate boundary
Subduction zones of oceanic/continental plates or collision of continental plates.
 What are the three main types of plate tectonic boundaries and any subdivisions of each? What are the plate motions relative to each other? What are the stresses associated with each? Are there any features associated with these boundaries (mid-ocean ridge, trench, subduction zone, rift, volcanoes)?
Convergent- Plates move toward each other and collide, or the more dense plate subducts below the less dense plate. (Forms volcanoes and trenches)
Divergent- Plates