Santa Monica College Earth Science

GEOL 4 - Physical Geology (with Lab)

Exam # 4: Study Guide - Summer 2019

exam date: Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D.
 
General InformationLast Updated  •  July 19, 2019
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:

  1. one Scantron, Form 882-E
  2. a number 2 pencil
  3. an eraser
  4. 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 responsibility to cover the materials listed below in the lecture textbook, in the lab textbook, in the web pages, and in 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.



lava beds national monument

cross-bedded volcanic tuff from Lava Beds National Monument, California


 
Study Guide, part 1: lectureLast Updated  •  July 19, 2019

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 7 - Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

  • Know the Introduction
  • Know Metamorphism
  • Know Factors Controlling the Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks
    • know the difference between confining pressure and differential stress
    • know what foliation is (and do not confuse foliation with fissility, typical of shale, a clastic sedimentary rock, see Chapter 6)
    • review in particular Figure 7.6, page 162)
  • Know Classification of Metamorphic Rocks (see also Table 7.1, page 163)
    • Know the contact metamorphic rocks: marble, quartzite and hornfels
    • Know the regional metamorphic rocks: slate, phyllite, schist, gneiss and migmatite
  • Know Types of Metamorphism
  • Know Metamorphic Grade
  • Know in particular Figure 7.18, page 170
  • Know about Plate Tectonics and Metamorphism (see also Figure 7.21, page 173)
    • Know Hydrothermal Metamorphism and Plate Tectonics, including Metasomatism and Hydrothermal Rocks and Minerals
    • Know about black smokers
    • Review in particular Figures 7.23, 7.24, and 7.25, page 175

      review the powerpoint Metamorphic Rocks

    ALSO:

  • Review the summary at the end of the chapter
  • Learn the terms to remember
  • Answer questions in the "testing your knowledge" section


Chapter 8 - Time and Geology

  • Know the Introduction
  • Know The Key to the Past
    • Know who Nicolaus Steno, James Hutton, Charles Lyell, William Smith, Charles Darwin, and Albert Oppel 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
    Know the whole section, review the relative time and the transgression and regression powerpoints
    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).
    • 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 (Systems)
      • know numerical ages for the Precambrian / Phanerozoic boundary, and for the Paleozoic / Mesozoic and Mesozoic / Cenozoic boundaries. Use Figure 8.24, page 199, for reference.
  • Know Numerical Age
    Review the powerpoint
    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 inclusion that is younger than the rock in which it is found).

    ALSO:

  • Review the summary at the end of the chapter
  • Learn the terms to remember
  • Answer questions in the "testing your knowledge" section


Chapter 15 - Geologic Structures

  1. Know the Introduction
  2. Know Tectonic Forces at Work
    • Stress and Strain in the Earth's Lithosphere
    • How Do Rocks Behave When Stressed
  3. Know How Do We Record and Measure Geologic Structures?
    • introduction
    • Geologic Maps and Field Methods
      • Strike and Dip
      • Geologic Cross Sections
  4. Know Folds
    • introduction
    • Geometry of Folds
      • Plunging Folds
      • Structural Domes and Structural basins
    • Interpreting Folds
  5. Know Fractures in Rocks
    • introduction
    • Joints
    • Faults
      • Dip-Slip Faults
      • Strike-Slip Faults

    ALSO:

  6. Review the Summary section at the end of the chapter
  7. Learn the terms to remember
  8. Answer questions in the "testing your knowledge" section
  9. Review the Structural Geology Powerpoint


 
Study Guide, part 2: LabLast Updated  •  July 19, 2019

Lab Chapter 6 - Sedimentary Rocks, Processes and Environments

Review the whole chapter
there will be no direct questions from this chapter BUT you will need to know the details in order to identify sedimentary rocks


Lab Chapter 7 - Metamorphic Rocks, Processes and Resources

Review the whole chapter
there will be no direct questions from this chapter BUT you will need to know the details in order to identify metamorphic rocks


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

Know the whole chapter


Lab Chapter 10 - Geologic Structures, Maps, and Block Diagrams

There will be no direct questions from this chapter BUT I would recommend that you read it all AND study it according to the following:

  • Read "Introduction"
  • Read "Geologic Mapping and Map Symbols"
  • Study "How Does Rock Deform" (pages 272 to 280)

 
Study Guide, part 3 of 3: rock identification Last Updated  •  July 19, 2019

At the end of the scantron part of your test, you will be asked to identify and describe a few sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
You will be provided with the appropriate flowcharts for both sedimentary and metamorphic rocks



Copyright: © since 1994, Alessandro Grippo, All Rights Reserved.
Back to the Summer 2019 Page
Back to the Main Page