Geology 101 Study Guide – Spring 2007

This is a list of the main topics covered in each lab that you should know for quizzes. The best review will be to look over your past labs and make sure you understand the questions that have been asked each week. If you have any questions or would like more explanation about a topic, please utilize the tutoring hours during the week.

Intro Lab – Global Geography and Introduction to the Geosciences

1. The differences between the West and East Coasts of North America.
2. Natural barriers that also form political boundaries.
3. Plate boundaries and how you can recognize them on a map.
4. The difference between observation and interpretation.

Lab 1 - Conversions, Density and Isostasy

1. Conversion between different units of measure (cm to m, inches to km, etc).
2. The relationship between mass and volume to get density.
3. Relationship between different spheres (hydro, cyro, etc).
4. How to calculate the density of an irregularly shaped object.
5. Be able to explain the concept of isostasy and relate it to bimodal global topography.
6. Different rock types that make up the Earth’s crust.

Lab 2 - Plate Tectonics

1. The different plate boundaries, associated stresses, fault types, and how they are related.
2. Definition of a convection cells.
3. How and where magma forms, types of melting and associated plate boundaries.
4. How to use a P-T diagram, and the different “paths” a rock can take from solid to partially-melted to liquid.
5. Hot spots: what they are and how they can be used to measure plate motion and direction.
6. Using faults, hot spots, etc to measure plate movement and direction.
7. Worldwide locations of plate boundaries and natural features they produce.

Lab 3 - Minerals

1. Definition of a mineral.
2. Various properties of minerals used in identification, and how to identify them.
3. How to use the Moh’s Hardness Scale.
4. How to identify minerals using figures 3.25, 3.26 and 3.27.

Lab 5 - Igneous Rocks

1. Definition of an igneous rock.
2. Types of intrusive bodies and how to identify them in cross section and map view.
3. Textures associated with intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks.
4. How to use figure 5.3 to identify igneous rocks.
5. How to use the formula rate=distance/time as it pertains to lava flows, lahars, etc.
6. Bowen’s Reaction Series
7. The eight major rock-forming minerals.
8. The three types of volcanoes, how they form, and hazards associated with each.

Lab 6 - Sedimentary Rocks

1. Definition of a sedimentary rock.
2. Two types of weathering.
3. Textures and compositional classification associated with sedimentary rocks.
4. Effect of transport on sedimentary textures.
5. How sedimentary rocks form.
6. How to use figure 6.8 to identify sedimentary rocks.
7. Identification of sedimentary structures, how they form and depositional environments.

Lab 7 - Metamorphic Rocks

1. Definition of a metamorphic rock.
2. Protolith, grade of metamorphism.
3. Two types of metamorphism.
4. Textures found in metamorphic rocks, both foliated and nonfoliated.
5. How to identify metamorphic rocks using figure 7.15.

Lab 4 - The Rock Cycle

1. Understand and be able to recreate the rock cycle.
2. Track a specific rock type through the rock cycle.
3. Be able to determine if a rock is igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary.
4. How and where different rock types form.
5. 8 rock-forming minerals.

Lab 8 - Dating of Rocks, Fossils, and Geologic Events

1. Be able to define relative age dating and absolute age dating.
2. Know and be able to apply the six basic laws of relative age dating.
3. Definitions for the three types of unconformity and how they form.
4. Be able to look at a geologic cross section and interpret the relative timing of events.
5. Using fossils to determine age relationships of units (if required for the quiz, figure 8.13 will be provided).
6. Definition of radiometric dating.
7. Know the definitions and relationships for: parent isotope, daughter isotope, decay pair and half-life.
8. Be able to use figure 8.16 to solve for the radiometric age of given isotopes.
9. Understand what types of rock units may be dated by each method, and be able to explain your reasoning.

Lab 9 - Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs

1. Be able to define longitude and latitude.
2. Know how map boundaries are determined based on longitude and latitude, and the definition of a 7.5’ and 15’ quadrangle.
3. Understand magnetic north, true north, grid north and declination.
4. Know how contour lines are constructed, defined, and how to interpret them on a map.
5. Know the rules for contour lines as given in figure 9.5.
6. Be able to define and calculate relief and gradient.
7. Understand ratio scales, fractional scales and how to convert between the two.
8. Be able to find features or define a location on a map using the public land survey system.
9. Be able to construct a topographic profile from a topographic map, and calculate vertical exaggeration.

Lab 10 - Geologic Structures, Maps, and Block Diagrams

1. Understand what is shown on a geologic map, and how that compares with a topographic map.
2. Understand and be able to explain a geologic cross-section and a block diagram.
3. Know and be able to apply the definitions of attitude, strike dip and dip direction to explaining the orientation of rock units.
4. Understand and be able to identify the map symbols from figure 10.3.
5. Be able to compare and contrast brittle v. ductile deformation.
6. Know the different types of faults, associated stresses and relative plate motions.
7. Know the different types of folds, how they are measured and their map patterns.
8. Understand the rules for interpreting geologic maps in figure 10.13.

Lab 11 - Stream Processes, Landscapes, Mass Wastage, and Flood Hazards

1. Know the definition of alluvium and where it is deposited.
2. Know the different types of stream drainage patterns.
3. Understand how to define and delineate drainage basins and divides.
4. Be able to give examples of the characteristics associated with mature vs. immature streams.
5. Be able to explain the development of a meandering stream, and the formation of oxbow lakes.
6. Know the definitions for deltas, alluvial fans and stream terraces.

Lab 12 - Groundwater Processes, Resources, and Risks

1. Definitions of groundwater, water table, porosity and associated terms.
2. Understand the cone of depression and how it affects pollution.
3. Understand the evolution of karst topography and associated hazards.
4. Understand land subsidence hazards from groundwater withdrawal.
5. Understand the concepts outlined from the groundwater model experiment performed in lab.

Lab 13 - Glacial Processes, Landforms, and Indicators of Climate Change

1. Know the vocabulary for glaciers and their respective parts.
2. Know the vocabulary for features formed during alpine or mountain glaciation.
3. Know the vocabulary for features formed during continental glaciation.
4. Know how to determine the type of glaciation based on map patterns of features.
5. Understand the relationship between climate and glaciers, and how glaciers may be used as a global thermometer.

Lab 15 - Coastal Processes, Landforms, Hazards and Risks

1. Be able to identify various landforms and explain how they form.
2. Understand and be able to explain wave generation and longshore sediment transport.
3. Describe the features of a(n) emergent vs. submergent coastline.
4. Know various man-made structures used to control costal erosion
5. Be able to calculate erosion or deposition rates using the formula rate=distance/time
6. Understand the problems associated with sea level change

Lab 16 - Hazards: Earthquakes and Volcanoes

1. Know the vocabulary for earthquakes, including focus, epicenter, seismographs, etc.
2. Know the different types of body waves (P, S, and L) and how they relate to one another.
3. Understand arrival time, and how to calculate the S-P interval.
4. Know how to use three data points and S-P interval to locate the epicenter of an earthquake.
5. Understand the hazards associated with earthquakes.