GEOL 4 - Physical Geology (with Lab) Exam # 3: Study Guide - Winter 2016 exam date: Thursday, February 11, 2016, 8:15 AM Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D.   General Information Last Updated  •  February 5, 2016 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 5, 2016 I strongly recommend that you always review the sections "Terms to Remember" and "Testing Your Knowledge" found at the end of each textbook chapter. Chapter 8 - Time and Geology Know the introduction Know The Key to the Past Know who Nicolaus Steno, James Hutton, Charles Lyell, Charles Darwin, and William Smith 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 the three different ways used for to correlate Know in particular the use of Fossils, the Principle of Faunal Succession, and the concepts of Index Fossil and 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 (figure 8.24, page 199) review the section "Earth Systems 5.1", page 191, Highlights of the Evolution of Life through Time 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 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 the introduction Know Mass Wasting Know Controlling Factors in Mass Wasting This is the most important section of this chapter Know Classification 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 Know 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 10.6, page 235, 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. Pay attention to the proper units (m3/sec) Know Stream Erosion Know Stream Transportation of Sediment (study figure 10.13, page 239) Know Stream Deposition (know all the subsections of this paragraphs: bars, braided streams, meandering streams and point bars, flood plains, deltas, and alluvial fans) Know Stream Valley Development Know Flooding Chapter 11 - Ground Water Know the introduction Know The Importance of Groundwater Know The Storage of Groundwater Do not limit yourself to basic concepts, such as the water table, and the saturated and unsaturated (vadose) zones. Know the concepts of Primary Porosity and Secondary Porosity; Porosity vs. Permeability; Aquifers vs. Aquitards; Unconfined vs. Confined Aquifers Know The Movement of Groundwater Know Wells Know Springs and Streams readContamination of Ground Water. I will not ask questions out of this section, but you should read it for completeness of information Know Balancing Withdrawal and Recharge Know Geologic Effects of Groundwater Know Hot Water Underground Chapter 12 - Glaciers and Glaciations Know the introduction Know What is a Glacier? 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 as time markers Know Past Glaciation For completeness of information, see also the last figure on the Stratigraphy web page for illustrations on the three cycles, and the notes on Milankovitch cycles and cyclostratigraphy. Chapter 13 - Deserts and Wind Action Know the introduction Know Where and How Deserts Form 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 are described in 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 (erosion, transportation, and deposition) In addition to the paragraph materials, study the section Desert Pavement and Desert Varnish (Earth Systems 13.3, page 332)   Study Guide, part 2 of 3: Lab Last Updated  •  February 4, 2016 Lab Chapter 5 - Igneous Rocks and Processes Know the whole chapter Lab Chapter 7 - Metamorphic Rocks, Processes, and Resources Know the whole chapter Lab Chapter 8 - Dating of Rocks, Fossils, and Geologic Events Know the whole chapter Lab Chapter 9 - Topographic Maps and Orthoimages Know "Introduction" Read "Latitude-Longitude and Quadrangle Maps" Read "Map Scales" Read "Declination and Compass Bearing" Read "GPS - Global Positioning System" Read "UTM - Universal Transverse Mercator System" Read "Public Land Survey System" Read "What Are Topographic Maps?" Read "US Topo Maps and Orthoimages" Know "Rules for Contour Lines" Be sure to know this section very well. Study Figure 9.12, page 244 Know "Relief and Gradient (slope)" Know "Topographic Profiles and Vertical Exaggeration" Be sure to know Figure 9.16, page 248 Skip "How to Obtain a US Topo Map or Orthoimage" Skip Lab Chapter 10 - Geologic Structures, Maps, and Block Diagrams While we may only have worked on a few exercises out of the following chapters, the materials illustrated within each of them has been discussed during lectures. I would strongly recommend that you integrate your knowledge of these topics from lecture, the textbook and your notes by studying these materials again in the following lab chapters. Lab Chapter 11 - Stream Processes, Landscapes, Mass Wastage, and Flood Hazards Know the whole chapter Lab Chapter 12 - Groundwater Processes, Resources, and Risks Know the whole chapter Lab Chapter 13 - Glaciers and the Dynamic Cryosphere Know the whole chapter Lab Chapter 14 - Dryland Landforms, Hazards, and Risks Know the whole chapter   Study Guide, part 3 of 3: rock id and other lab exercises Last Updated  •  February 5, 2016 For the lab part of this test you will have to identify and describe a few different kinds of rocks (igneous and metamorphic), and then possibly answer a few general questions about numerical and relative time, and about maps. Igneous 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 Rocks will be random, you will first have to tell if they are igneous or metamorphic, and use the appropriate flowcharts You might or might not have rocks of all kind You will need to bring your 2x2 glass ONLY (plus the usual pencil, eraser, scantron, and your cm/in ruler) Streak plates, HCl bottles and a magnet will be available You will be provided with the appropriate graphs, flowcharts and identification keys: Igneous Rocks you will have "Step 4" ONLY, from figure 5.4, page 136. You are supposed to know Steps 1, 2, and 3 without a flowchart you will NOT have figure 5.5, page 137. You are supposed to know how to name a rock and what minerals you would find, whether you see them (phaneritic textures) or not (aphanitic textures) you will have a copy of the worksheet from Activity 5.8, page 150 Metamorphic Rocks you will have figure 7.16, page 197 you will have a copy of the worksheet from Activity 7.3, page 202 Geologic Time and Topographic Maps: Geologic Time if necessary, you will have figure 8.10, page 213 if necessary, you will have figure 8.11, page 215 Topographic Maps I might ask you to reason on a generic map, such as that of Activity 9.5,page 257 I will NOT ask you to draw a section, like the one of Activity 9.6, page 258 Copyright © 1994-2016, Alessandro Grippo, All Rights Reserved. Back to the Winter 2016 Page Back to the Main Page