GEOL 4 - Physical Geology (with Lab) Exam # 3 Study Guide - Winter 2014 exam date: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D.   General Information Last Updated  •  February 9, 2014 PLEASE NOTE: Cellular phones, iPods, Blackberries, Bluetooth, headphones, computers, pocket calculators, dictionaries, translators or, in general, ANY KIND of electronic device CAN NOT be used during the test. All electronic devices MUST BE TURNED OFF: if a cell phone rings, if a light is visible, or a device is on while in class during test time, you will not be allowed to finish your test and your result will be invalidated. You can not use any text, notes, dictionary, pocket calculator, flash card, or any source of information other than your brain. You will NOT need a ruler for this test. You will ONLY need to bring: one Scantron, Form 882-E a number 2 pencil an eraser your Geology/Mineralogy 2X2 glass (you will all be provided with an individual streak plate; magnets and HCl bottles will be available) This study guide must be interpreted (literally) as a guide to the study of the subject and not as a listing of possible questions. There is no additional information compared to what has been said, discussed, shown, illustrated in class. It is YOUR personal responsability to cover the materials listed below on the lecture textbook, on the lab textbook, on "Cradle of Life", on the web pages, and on your notes. I would strongly recommend that you peruse your notes for completeness of information: some information that has been detailed in class is only mentioned briefly on the textbooks, and you are responsible for covering that; know what the key terms and concepts are (see the list at the end of each chapter on both your textbook and your lab manual); exercise with the questions for review also found at the end of each chapter. Review the materials from your quizzes. Read the summary at the end of each chapter, try to answer review questions, try to work with other fellow students if you find it useful. Never hesitate to ask me questions in class or during the lab. Jurassic ammonites from the Ammonitic Red Formation of the Italian Alps   Study Guide, part 1 of 3: lecture Last Updated  •  February 9, 2014 Chapter 8 - Time and Geology Know The Key to the Past Know who Steno, Hutton, Lyell and Darwin were and what was their contribution to geology (an extended guide to this can be found on the web site, on the stratigraphy pages. You do not need to study or know all of this section: just refer to the basic facts concerning the four scientist cited above and discussed during lecture). Know Relative Time Among other things: Know the Introduction Know the difference between Relative Age and Numerical Age Review (from chapter 6) what contacts and Formations are Know the three Principles of Steno, and who Steno was Know the other two Principles: cross-cutting relationships and inclusions Know what Unconformities are, and the three kinds we described (You can skip the term of Paraconformity, but still know it is a possible kind of unconformity). Check out the web site page on unconformities Know Correlation, and how we proceed to correlate Know in particular the use of Fossils, the Principle of Faunal Succession, what is an Index Fossil, what is a Fossil Assemblage Know the Standard Geologic Time Scale: know the difference between periods of time and the rocks that represent those periods of time know names and relative order of Eons (Eonothems), Eras (Erathems) and Periods know numerical ages for the Precambrian / Phanerozoic boundary, and for the Paleozoic / Mesozoic and Mesozoic / Cenozoic boundaries. Use Figure 8.24, page 214 for reference. [page 216 in the 11th ed.] (Systems) Know Numerical Age Read the whole paragraph, but know in particular: about radioactive isotopes (not the single couples parent - daughter but the concept of radioactivity and radioactive decay) about parent and daughter isotopes, and the concept of half-life be able to calculate numerical ages using simple math, when you know the amounts of P, D and the half-life of an isotope. You are supposed to know the half-life of 14C. If other isotopes will be used, I will provide you with the proper numbers. about the differences in dating rocks and in dating organic materials: what do you use, why can you use it, how does it work and what are the orders of magnitude of time involved about Uses of Isotopic Dating Review Figures 8.20 (page 208) [210], 8.21 (page 209) [211]. Grasp the concepts, but know that I will NOT ask direct questions out of them Know Figure 8.22 A, page 211 [213] and grasp the meaning of 8.22 B. There might be questions from 8.22. Know Combining Relative and Numerical Ages Know Age of the Earth Be able to use all the concepts you learned so far: for instance, can a Jurassic chert inclusion be found in a Triassic limestone? (answer: NO! Inclusions are always older than the rock that hosts them. The Jurassic Period is younger than Triassic Period, so you can not have a younger inclusion). Chapter 9 - Mass Wasting Know Introduction to Mass Wasting Know Classification of Mass Wasting Know Controlling Factors in Mass Wasting Read and Know the basic facts of Common Types of Mass wasting. Know what creep, earthflow, solifluction, permafrost, debris flow, mud flow, rockfall, rockslide and rock avalance are Know Underwater Landslides Know Preventing Landslides Chapter 10 - Streams and Floods Know the Introduction and Earth Systems - The Hydrologic Cycle Know Running Water Know Drainage Basins Know Drainage Patterns Know Factors Affecting Stream Erosion and Deposition Know Velocity Be able to work with the graph of Figure 10.7, page 253, as seen in class. Know Gradient Know Channel Shape and Roughness Know Discharge. Be able to calculate discharge values using simple numbers, as seen in class examples. Know Stream Erosion Know Stream Transportation of Sediment Know Stream Deposition Skip Flooding. Jump to page 272 (page 273 on the 11th edition) Know Stream Valley Development Know Stream Terraces Know Incised Meanders Chapter 11 - Ground Water Know the Introduction Know the Porosity and Permeability Review your notes for these concepts, including the difference between primary porosity and secondary porosity) Know The Water Table Know The Movement of Ground Water Know Aquifers Know Wells Know Springs and Streams Skip Contamination of Ground Water. Go to page 296 (page 297 on the 11th edition) Know Balancing Withdrawal and Recharge Know Effects of Groundwater Action Know Hot Water Underground Chapter 12 - Glaciers and Glaciations Know the Introduction Know Glaciers - where they are, how they form and move Know Glacial Erosion Know Glacial Deposition In addition to the paragraph materials, be prepared to answer questions in particular about varves and their use in stratigraphy Know Past Glaciation In addition to the paragraph materials, study the section (Earth Systems 12.5, page 330) Causes of Glacial Ages Review your notes for materials on Milankovitch cycles. See also the last figure on the Stratigraphy web page for illustrations on the three cycles, and the notes on Milankovitch cycles and cyclostratigraphy for further materials on the subject. Chapter 13 - Deserts and Wind Action Know the Introduction Know Distribution of Deserts Review your notes for a more thorough understanding: We discussed wind patterns on a non-rotating Earth with no continents We then moved on to a rotating Earth (Coriolis effect: remember what happens in the two hemispheres, also in terms of general ocean circulation) We then observed the four different reasons for the existence of deserts (do NOT confuse these reasons with the characteristics of deserts, which is the next paragraph) We also discussed general precipitation patterns, humidity of the atmosphere, winds, high and low pressure We discussed shallow-ocean circulation and deep-ocean circulation (see the appropriate, related sections on the Oceanography web page) Know Some Characteristics of Deserts Know Desert Features in the Southwestern United States Know Wind Action In addition to the paragraph materials, study the section Desert Pavement and Desert Varnish (Earth Systems 13.3, page 353, or 13.2, page 352 on the 11th edition)   Study Guide, part 2 of 3: Lab Last Updated  •  February 9, 2014 Lab Chapter 7 - Metamorphic Rocks, Processes, and Resources Know the Introduction Know Part 7A, Metamorphic Processes and Rocks Know Part 7B, Description and Interpretation of Metamorphic Rock Samples Skip Part 7C, Using Index Minerals to Interpret Metamorphic Grades and Facies Lab Chapter 8 - Dating of Rocks, Fossils, and Geologic Events Know the Introduction Know Part 8A, Determining Relative Ages of Rocks based on their Physical Relationship Be able to work with all the principles you studied and to reconstruct the series of events if and when provided with a figure like those of Activities 8.1 and 8.2. Know Part 8B, Using Fossils to Determine Age Relationships Be able to work with the geologic ranges and with the names of the Geologic Time Scale if and when provided with a figure like that of page 180. Remember to always describe time ranges starting from the older unit (in case of relative age) or the highest number / older age (in case of numerical age) Know Part 8C, Determining Absolute Ages by Radiometric Dating Be able to work with half-lives, parent and daughter isotopes and absolute ages if and when provided with a figure like that of page 182. Review Part 8D, Infer the Geologic History of Field Sites Skip Part 8E, Construct and Interpret a Subsurface Geologic Cross Section Lab Chapter 9 - Topographic Maps, Aerial Photographs, and Orthoimages Know the Introduction Know Part 9A, Introduction to Topographic Maps Know the introductory paragraph Know Topographic Quadrangles, Symbols, And Revisions Know Declination and Compass Bearing we covered declination we skipped compass bearing Know Scales of Maps and Models Skip PLSS - Public Land System Skip GPS - Global Positioning System Skip UTM - Universal Transverse Mercator System Know Contour Lines Be sure to know this section very well. Study Figure 9.10, page 209 Know Reading elevation Know Relief and Gradient Know Part 9B, Topographic Profiles and Vertical Exaggeration Know Part 9C, Digital Topographic Maps and Orthoimages Know Part 9D, Digital Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs Be familiar with all exercises done for Activities 9.1 and 9.2   Study Guide, part 3 of 3: rock id and other lab exercises Last Updated  •  February 9, 2014 For the lab part of this test you will have to identify and describe a few different kinds of rocks (sedimentary and/or metamorphic), and then possibly answer a few general questions about numerical and relative time, and about maps. Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rock Identification: You will be given a few rocks to identify. These rock types will be chosen among the ones you have already seen, identified and checked during previous labs. You will need to bring your 2x2 glass ONLY (plus pencil, eraser and scantron). Streak plates, HCl bottles and a magnet will be available. I will provide you with the appropriate flowcharts and identification keys. Copyright © 1994-2014, Alessandro Grippo, All Rights Reserved. Back to the Winter 2014 Page Back to the Main Page