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ESSC 108 1
Rock types and processes
87
Geology
Undergraduate 1
10/01/2009

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Cards

Term
Define science.
Definition
Science is a body of knowledge, but it is also a process known as the scientific method.
Term
Define hypothesis.
Definition
Tentative explanation that fits ALL the data.
Term
Define theory.
Definition
Well-tested and widely accepted view that the majority of scientists agree best explains the observable facts.
Term
Define scientific law.
Definition
A law is a theory that meets rigorous testing over long periods of time and can be modeled mathematically.
Term
What are the steps of the scientific method?
Definition

1. Ask a question

2. Research

3. Form a hypothesis

4.Test your hypothesis

5.Analyze data and draw conclusions

6. Communicate your results

Term
What is the Principle of Uniformitarianism?
Definition

Chemical ans physical processes have remained unchanged over time.

 

Natural laws are time indepedent, but the rates are variable.

Term
The universe consists mostly of what two elements?
Definition

Hydrogen and Helium.

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Term
Define fusion.
Definition

The process by which multiple like-charged atomic nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus.

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Term
What is the typical origin of elements 3-26?
Definition
Stellar fusion.
Term
What is the typical origin of elements above 26?
Definition

Supernova explosions.

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Term
What is the temperature (C) at the center of the earth?
Definition

4500-6000 degrees Celcius.

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Term
What is the temperature (C) on the surface of the sun?
Definition

Approximately 5500 degrees celcius.

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Term
Define meridian.
Definition

Longitudinal lines running north and south around the earth. They intersect at the poles and measure east and west.

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Term
Define Prime Meridian
Definition
The longitudinal line running through Greenwich England. Also known as the International Date Line.
Term
Define Longitude.
Definition
Degrees of arc east and west of the prime meridian.
Term
Define parallel.
Definition

Latitudinal lines running east and west across the earth which measure north and south.

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Term
Define latitude.
Definition
Degrees of arc north and south of the equator.
Term
Define equator.
Definition

The parallel which circles the widest part of the earth.

 

Term
Define North Pole.
Definition

The geographic north pole is directly in the center of the northernmost parallel. The magnetic north is slightly off from this.

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Term
Define Principle Meridian.
Definition
An arbitrary line running north and south, part of the US Public Land Survey.
Term
Define Baseline.
Definition
Arbitrary line running east and west, part of the US Public Land Survey.
Term
Define Township.
Definition
The columns of squares running north and south in the USPLS.
Term
Define Range.
Definition
The rows of squares running east and west in the USPLS.
Term
Define Section.
Definition
The numbers of the squares in the USPLS. A section is equal to one square mile.
Term
Define contour.
Definition

Lines connecting points of equal elevation.

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Term
Define contour interval.
Definition
The distance between contour lines.
Term
Define relief.
Definition
The difference in elevation between contour lines.
Term
Define elevation.
Definition

Height above sea-level.

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Term
Define fractional scale.
Definition

A fraction in which one unit on the map is equal to the unit of the denominator of the fraction on earth. (Usually 1/24,000). This is only useful when looking at original maps.

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Term
Define graphic scale.
Definition

Lines on the map directly relating earth distance and map distance.

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Term
Define slope.
Definition

Rise/Run. On a map it is the relief divided by the distance between two points.

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Term
Define element.
Definition
A substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary physical or chemical means.
Term
Define atom.
Definition

An atom is the smallest until of an element than can exist and still have all the characteristics of the element.

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Term
Define atomic number.
Definition

The number of protons an atom has.

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Term
Define Atomic Mass.
Definition

Protons+Neutrons.

 

Term
Define Ion.
Definition

A charged atom.

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Term
Define anion.
Definition
An atom in which the number of protons is less than the number of electrons. It has a negative charge.
Term
Define cation.
Definition
An atom where the number of protons is greater than the number of electrons.
Term
Define Isotope.
Definition

Element with variable number of neutrons.

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Term
Define mineral.
Definition

1. Naturally Occuring

2. Inorganic

3. Definite Internal Structure.

4. Solid

5. Definite Chemical Composition

Term
Give the chemical formula for quartz, ice and diamond.
Definition

Quartz: SiO2

Ice:H2O

Diamond: C

Term
Draw the silica-oxygen tetrahedra
Definition
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Term
Define streak.
Definition

The color of a mineral in powdered form.

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Term
Define luster.
Definition

The appearance of light reflected from the surface of a mineral.

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Term
Define Mineral Hardness.
Definition
A measure of the resistance of a mineral to abrasion or scratching.
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Term
Define cleavage.
Definition

The tendancy of a mineral tp split along planes of weak bonding that exist between atoms in the crystalline structure.

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Term
Define fracture.
Definition
The way a mineral without cleavage breaks.
Term
Define igneous rock.
Definition

Igneous rocks originated from magma or lava.

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Term
Define magma.
Definition

Molten rock inside the earth.

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Term
Describe the rock cycle.
Definition
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Term
Define lava.
Definition

Molten rock on the earth's surface.

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Term
Define volatile.
Definition

Gasses dissolved within magma/ lava. This is what makes volcanoes explosive or not.

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Term
Define viscosity.
Definition

The thickness/ fluidity of a substance.

High viscosity: Silicic Magma, Molasses

Low Viscosity: Mafic Magma, Water

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Term
What is the major constituant of most magmas?
Definition

SiO2

AKA Silicon and Oxygen

Term
What are the most common volatiles?
Definition
Water (H2O) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
Term
Where does magma come from?
Definition
Inside the earth.
Term
Define Geothermal Gradient. What are typical geothermal gradients?
Definition

Rate of increase of temperature with depth. Usually about 15-40 degrees C/km

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Term
At what temperature do rocks begin to melt?
Definition

650 degrees C.

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Term
What is the major influence on viscosity?
Definition
Temperature
Term
What is the temp, SiO2 content, viscosity, volatile content, and expected type of volcanic activity for mafic lava?
Definition

900-1200 C, 50% SiO2, Low volatiles and viscosity, not explosive.

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Term
What is the temp, SiO2 content, viscosity, volatile content, and expected type of volcanic activity for silicic lava?
Definition

650-850 C, 60-70% SiO2, high volatile content and viscosity, expected to be explosive.

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Term
What is the difference between extrusive and intrusive igneous processes?
Definition

Extrusive: Happen on the earth's surface and take very little time.

 

Intrusive: Happen inside the earth, and take thousands to tens of thousands of years.

Term
Discuss the origin of shield volcanos. Give an example and specify magma type.
Definition

Sheild volcanoes come from mafic lava eruptions. Since mafic lava has a low viscosity it slowly covers the earth's surface, creating a large semi-circle shaped volcano.

Example: The Hawaiian Islands.

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Term
Discuss the origin of stratovolcanoes. Give an example and specify magma type.
Definition

The thick silicic lava moves slowly, buiding up a high mountainous structure.

Example: Mt. Vesuvius.

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Term
Define pahoehoe and aa lava.
Definition

Pahoehoe: Smooth and ropy

Aa: Rough, jagged, clinkery surface.

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Term
Discuss the two eruption phases of a composite volcano.
Definition

1. Explosive: High volatile content causes a build up of pressure.

 

2. Lava Flow: Thick lava moves very slowly.

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Term
Define pluton.
Definition

A crystallized magma chamber.

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Term
Define texture.
Definition

The size, shape, and arrangment of the grains in a rock.

 

Term
What are the two criteria by which igneous rocks are named?
Definition
Plutonic and Volcanic.
Term
What is the difference between plutonic and volcanic rocks?
Definition

Plutonic rocks cool slowly inside the earth and are made up of 100% crystals.

 

Volcanic rocks cool rapidly on the earth's surface so the rocks are a mixture of crystals that formed before eruption and either glass or very small microscopic crystals.

Term
Classification of Igneous Rocks.
Definition
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Term
Define lithification and describe the two parts.
Definition

Turns sediments into rocks.

1. Compaction: Weight of overlying sediments forces grains closer together.

2. Cementation: Precipitation of dissolved subastances in groundwater bonds grains together.

Term
What are the most common cements?
Definition
Term
Why do rocks compact?
Definition
Pressure.
Term
What is bedding?
Definition

The layers of sedimentary rock.

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Term
What are clastic sedimentary rocks?
Definition

Forms from the fragments of other rocks.

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Term
Using grain size define: conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, and shale.
Definition

Conglomerate: Grains >2mm

Sandstone: 1/16-2mm

Siltstone: 1/256-1/16mm

Shale: <1/256mm

Term
What is the most common clastic sedimentary rock?
Definition
Shale.
Term
What is the most common non-clastic sedimentary rock?
Definition
Limestone.
Term
What are evaporates? Give an example.
Definition

Evaporation of water in restricted basins leaves behind mineral deposits.

Example:Travertine.

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Term
What is coal made of?
Definition

Coal is made of ancient wood.

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Term
Define metamorphism.
Definition
The solid state recrystallization of minerals due to temperature, stress, and/ or chemically active fluids.
Term
What are the causes of metamorphism?
Definition
Temperature, Stress, and Chemically Active Fluids.
Term
Define stress, asperity, triple junction, directed stress, and foliation.
Definition

Stress: Force/ Area

Asperity: Protrusions in the rock.

Triple Junction: Grain pattern formed from lithostatic stress.

Directed Stress: Stress in one specific direction.

Foliation: Aligned minerals resulting from directed stress.

Term
What is the primary texture resulting from directed stress?
Definition

Foliation

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Term
How do you distinguish shale from phyllite from schist from gneiss?
Definition
You can test the hardness, luster, cleavage, streak, color, and crystal form.
Term
Define marble, quartzite. Under what kind of stress do these rocks form?
Definition

Marble: Metamorphosed limestone.

Quartzite: Metamorphosed quartz-rich sandstone.

 

Lithostatic stress formed these rocks.

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