Study Guide for GEOL 1403 - Physical Geology

What are the three major rock types and how are they formed?
- The three major rock types are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form
from the cooling and solidification of molten magma. Sedimentary rocks form from the
accumulation and lithification of sediments. Metamorphic rocks form from the transformation of
existing rocks due to high pressure, temperature, or chemical activity.

What is the rock cycle and how does it explain the interrelationship between the three rock
types?
- The rock cycle is a conceptual model that describes the continuous transformation of rocks
through various geological processes. It shows how igneous rocks can be weathered and eroded
to form sediments, which then undergo burial and lithification to become sedimentary rocks.
These sedimentary rocks can later be subjected to heat and pressure to transform into
metamorphic rocks, and eventually, through melting and solidification, they can become igneous
rocks again.

What are the major features of a river system?

- The major features of a river system include the source (where the river begins), tributaries
(smaller streams that flow into the main river), the main channel, floodplains (flat areas
surrounding the river that get flooded during high water levels), and the river mouth (where the
river flows into a larger body of water).

How are caves formed in limestone regions?

- Caves are formed in limestone regions through a process called dissolution. Limestone is
composed mainly of calcium carbonate, which can be dissolved by slightly acidic groundwater
over time. As water percolates through fractures and joints in the limestone, it gradually enlarges
these openings, forming caves and other karst features.

What are the major factors that influence climate?

- The major factors that influence climate include latitude, elevation, proximity to large bodies of
water, ocean currents, prevailing winds, and topography. These factors affect temperature,
precipitation patterns, and other climatic characteristics of a region.

What are the main types of glaciers?

- The main types of glaciers are valley glaciers, which form in mountain valleys, and ice sheets,
which are large, continent-sized masses of ice that cover vast areas, such as Greenland and
Antarctica.

How do geologists use stratigraphy to interpret Earth's history?

- Geologists use stratigraphy, the study of rock layers (strata), to interpret Earth's history. By
analyzing the sequence, composition, and fossil content of different strata, they can determine
the relative ages of rocks and reconstruct the depositional environments and geological events
that occurred over time.

What is the principle of superposition?

- The principle of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the
youngest rocks are on top, while the oldest rocks are at the bottom. This principle forms the
basis for determining relative ages of rocks.

What is the difference between relative and absolute dating methods?

- Relative dating methods provide an estimate of the age of a rock or fossil relative to other rocks
or fossils. Absolute dating methods provide a specific numerical age for a rock or fossil using
techniques like radiometric dating.
How do glaciers erode the land?
- Glaciers erode the land through two main processes: plucking and abrasion. Plucking occurs
when the glacier freezes onto rocks and then plucks or pulls them away as it moves. Abrasion is
the scraping and grinding action of the rocks embedded in the ice, which can polish and smooth
the underlying bedrock.

What is the difference between a fault and a joint?

- A fault is a fracture or break in the Earth's crust along which there has been displacement of
rocks on either side. Joints, on the other hand, are fractures in rocks where there is no significant
displacement. Joints result from the release of stress in the Earth's crust.

What is the Ring of Fire and why is it significant?

- The Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. It is significant because it coincides with several
tectonic plate boundaries, including the Pacific Plate, resulting in high seismic and volcanic
activity.

How do geologists use fossils to correlate rock layers in different locations?

- Geologists use fossils to correlate rock layers in different locations by comparing the types of
fossils found in different strata. Fossils that are widespread and existed for a relatively short
period of time, known as index fossils, can be used to determine the relative ages of rocks and
correlate them across different areas.

What are the major factors that contribute to soil formation?

- The major factors that contribute to soil formation are climate, parent material (the underlying
rock or sediment), topography, organisms (including plants, animals, and microorganisms), and
time. These factors interact to influence the composition, structure, and fertility of soils.

How do geologists use geophysical methods to study the Earth's subsurface?

- Geologists use geophysical methods, such as seismic surveys, gravity surveys, electromagnetic
surveys, and magnetic surveys, to study the Earth's subsurface. These methods help to
determine the properties and structures of rocks and detect subsurface features like faults,
mineral deposits, and groundwater resources.