Time is on your side. Use the practice exam on Geologic Time (Chapter 8) to test your expertise regarding concepts of deep time.
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1 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) "Geological processes operating at the present time are the same processes that have operated in the past" is a statement of:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the Principle of Cross-cutting Relationships |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the Principle of Original Horizontality |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the Principle of Uniformitarianism |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the Principle of Faunal Succession |
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2 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) If rock A cross-cuts rock B, then rock A is:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | older than rock B |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | younger than rock B |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the same age as rock B |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | on top of rock B |
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3 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Which of the following is a method of correlation?
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | physical continuity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | similarity of rock types |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | similar fossil assemblages |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | all of these can be used for correlation |
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4 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Eras of the Standard Geologic Time Scale are subdivided into:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Eons |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Epochs |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Ages |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | None of these |
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5 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Which subdivision of geologic time is the longest?
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Precambrian |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Mesozoic Era |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Teritiary Period |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Miocene Epoch |
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6 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Which is a useful radioactive decay scheme?
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | U-238/Pb206 |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | U-235/Pb-207 |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | K-40/Ar-40 |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | all of these |
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7 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Radiocarbon dating is a useful technique for all samples below except:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | wood |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | bone |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | shells |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | granite |
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8 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Radon is a gas derived from the natural radioactive decay of:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Uranium |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Lead |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Potassium |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Plutonium |
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9 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Concentrations of radon are highest in areas where the bedrock is:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | sandstone |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | basalt |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | phyllite |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | black shale |
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10 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Which of the following is not a type of unconformity?
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | nonconformity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | disconformity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | uniformity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | angular unconformity |
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11 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) A geologist could use the Principle of Inclusions to determine the relative age of:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | fossils |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | metamorphism |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | xenoliths |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | shale layers |
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12 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) A contact between parallel sedimentary rock layers that records missing geologic time is:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | a disconformity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | an angular unconformity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | a uniformity |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | a nonconformity |
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13 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) The oldest abundant fossils of multicellular life forms are observed in rocks from:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the Archean Eon |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Mesozoic Era |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Cambrian Period |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Paleocene Epoch |
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14 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Geologists are reasonably convinced that Earth is:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | 4,500,000,000,000 yrs. old |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | 4,500,000,000 yrs. old |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | 450,000,000 yrs. old |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | 45,000,000 yrs.old |
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15 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Methods used by geologists to determine the general sequence of geologic events from oldest to youngest are known as:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | geochronology |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | absolute dating |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | general dating |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | relative dating |
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16 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Undisturbed sedimentary rock layers occur in horizontal layers. This is a statement of:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Principle of Superposition |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Principle of Original Horizontality |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | The Principle of Faunal Succession |
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17 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) In the 1600’s, Archbishop Ussher declared that:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Earth was created in 4004 B.C. |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Earth was, perhaps, “millions of years old |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Earth history could be understood by observing modern processes |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | organisms had changed over time |
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18 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) James Hutton was:
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the founder of modern Geology |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | a Scotsman |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | a university professor |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | all of these |
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19 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) In the late 1700’s, Hutton declared that
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Earth could be “millions” of years old |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | Earth history could be understood by studying modern geologic processes |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | he could see “…no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end...” to Earth’s history |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | all of these |
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20 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Which of the following will affect the half-life of a radioactive element?
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| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | A)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | extreme pressure deep in the Earth |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | B)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | extreme heat deep within the Earth |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | C)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | bombardment of Earth by cosmic rays |
| ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | D)![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | the half-life of a radioactive element is invariant |
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