The rock cycle, plate tectonics, volcanoes, and earthquakes impact the lithosphere
Predict the locations of volcanoes
Explain how natural actions such as weathering and erosion
Explain the probability of and preparation for geohazards
Soil formation affect Earth's surface.
100
Which type of rock is formed when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure?
marble
100
The arrows on the map below show the general motion of Earth’s major plates. Which number is most likely the location of a volcano formed by a divergent boundary?
2
100
In some places along the Gulf of Mexico, barrier islands are eroding at rates exceeding 20 meters per year. Erosion of the barrier islands is so severe that their ability to function as buffers for wetlands is being reduced. Which natural phenomenon is most likely responsible for this erosion?
hurricanes
100
Which of these natural disasters are the most unpredictable?
earthquakes
100
Which action most often causes sinkholes to form on the surface of Earth?
removing groundwater
200
Which U.S. feature was formed through the geological process of continental accretion?
the Aleutian Islands of Alaska
200
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains a set of earthquake hazard maps that cities and towns use for developing building codes. Based on the map, which city or town is located in an area of greatest earthquake hazard?
Charleston, SC
200
Some processes that shape Earth are shown below. Which of these processes transports sediments at the slowest rate?
3
200
A farmer has a steeply sloping pasture that is eroding. Which is the best option to stop the immediate erosion of the topsoil?
Increase the amount of vegetation on the sloping pasture.
200
In areas where limestone is present underground, continued rains can lead to the formation of caves and sinkholes. Which processes are directly responsible for changing the limestone?
weathering and erosion
300
Which type of plate boundary is most responsible for the formation of the Himalayan Range?
convergent boundary between two continental crusts
300
A geologist drew a diagram illustrating a section of a boundary between two tectonic plates. His diagram includes the geologic feature shown below. What type of plate boundary created this feature?
divergent boundary between two continental plates
300
Limestone has weathered and eroded over thousands of years through the action of wind, acid rain, and other agents. Which type of energy is primarily involved as acid rain weathers the limestone?
chemical energy
300
The graph shows the relationship between hillside slope and frequency of debris flows during four winters in the Santa Paula area of Ventura County, California. A land developer is considering building in the Santa Paula area. Based on the information in the graph, the land developer would want to avoid areas with which of these slopes?
22–28°
300
Students notice after a rain that a construction site showed more pebbles and small rocks exposed on a sloped surface than on a level area which was covered with sand and mud. The best explanation for this is that the
rain moved sand and mud away from the rocks on the sloped surface.
400
The structures created at convergent boundaries under the ocean are different than the structures created at those boundaries on land. Which statement describes this difference?
Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent mountains will form.
400
The diagram below shows the locations of several volcanic mountains on the big island of Hawaii. Which two volcanic mountain summits are closest to 50 kilometers apart?
Kilauea and Mauna Kea
400
A glacier can travel over the surface of Earth and reshape it. The chart describes three things a glacier can do. Which terms best describe these glacial actions in the order as presented?
weathering, erosion, deposition
400
A lahar is a mixture of water and rock fragments that can flow down a volcano after an eruption. Based on the characteristics of their adjacent volcanoes, which of these areas would have the lowest probability of experiencing a lahar after an eruption?
a ranch in Hawaii, near a volcano that is rising up from the ocean floor
400
Which of these serve as protective barriers along coastlines and are often destroyed when hit by a strong hurricane?
the buildup of dunes along the coast over time
500
Near which geologic structure are the youngest rocks on Earth found?
active volcano
500
The topographic map below shows a section of a North American fault. The dots that run down the middle of the map trace the path of a creek. Notice that the path of the creek shifts as it crosses the fault. What type of plate boundary is associated with this type of change in a geographic feature?
transform boundary
500
A scientist was examining a large boulder that was covered with lichens (a combination of fungi and algae). He chipped a piece of the rock and placed it under a microscope. He observed that the surface of the rock was breaking down underneath the lichen. Which was the scientist most likely observing?
the effects of chemical weathering
500
A business owner in Hernando County who has experienced sinkhole damage decides to relocate her business. In which county would the business owner have the lowest probability of property damage from sinkholes?
Alachua
500
Which of the following best describes the impact that the formation of a reef usually has on an island beach?
The reef decreases erosion by lessening the force of waves on the beach.