Florida International University
Department of Earth Sciences
GLY 1010: Introduction to Earth Science
Practice Quiz (Not for credit)






1. What is the approximate distance from the surface to the center of the Earth?
A.700 km
B.2900 km
C.6400 km
D.10,000 km


2.
Questions 2 and 3 refer to the cross section through the Earth depicted below:
R-1 Ref 19-1

What type of seismic wave is being recorded by the seismograph in the diagram?
A.a P wave
B.an S wave
C.a surface wave
D.all of the above



3.
Questions 4 through 6 refer to the cross section of the Earth depicted below:
R-2 Ref 19-2

Which region in the Earth is molten?
A.region A
B.region B
C.region C
D.region D



4.
Questions 4 through 6 refer to the cross section of the Earth depicted below:
R-2 Ref 19-2

Which region in the Earth consists primarily of solid iron?
A.region A
B.region B
C.region C
D.region D



5. Which of the following statements is true?
A.The S-wave shadow zone is larger than the P-wave shadow zone.
B.Seismic waves follow straight paths through the interior of the Earth.
C.Liquids do not transmit P waves.
D.P-wave velocities are greater in the core than in the mantle.


6. Which layer in the Earth does not transmit S-waves?
A.the crust
B.the inner core
C.the mantle
D.the outer core


7. How long does it take a P-wave to travel through the Earth?
A.approximately 20 seconds
B.approximately 1 minute
C.approximately 5 minutes
D.approximately 20 minutes


8. The S-wave shadow zone extends from ____ to 180° angular distance from the earthquake focus.
A.45°
B.75°
C.105°
D.145°


9. The boundary between the mantle and the core lies at a depth of approximately ______.
A.300 kilometers
B.1000 kilometers
C.3000 kilometers
D.10,000 kilometers


10. Continental crust beneath mountains can be up to ___ kilometers thick
A.5
B.40
C.65
D.100


11. How thick is the oceanic crust?
A.approximately 5 km
B.approximately 40 km
C.approximately 100 km
D.approximately 670 km


12. Which of the following correctly lists the three rock types in order of increasing P-wave velocity?
A.gabbro ® granite ® peridotite
B.granite ® gabbro ® peridotite
C.granite ® peridotite ® gabbro
D.peridotite ® gabbro ® granite


13. Which of the following statements about the Moho (Mohovoricic discontinuity) is false?
A.Seismic waves speed up as they pass down through the Moho.
B.The Moho separates denser rocks below from less dense rocks above.
C.The Moho separates the crust from the mantle.
D.The Moho marks the top of a partially molten layer.


14. Which of the following statements is false?
A.The crust-mantle boundary is called the Mohorovicic discontinuity.
B.The oceanic crust consists of basalt and gabbro.
C.The crust is less dense than the mantle.
D.P-waves travel faster in the crust than in the mantle.


15. The boundary between the crust and the mantle is marked by __________.
A.a decrease in P-wave velocity and a change in rock type
B.an increase in P-wave velocity and a change in rock type
C.a decrease in P-wave velocity, but no change in rock type
D.an increase in P-wave velocity, but no change in rock type


16. The partially molten layer beneath the lithosphere is called the ______.
A.asthenosphere
B.crust
C.lower mantle
D.outer core


17. The lithosphere is approximately ___ kilometers thick.
A.25
B.100
C.250
D.1000


18. Which of the following statements about the asthenosphere is false?
A.The asthenosphere lies beneath the lithosphere.
B.The asthenosphere is stronger than the lithosphere.
C.The asthenosphere rises close to the surface beneath mid-ocean ridges.
D.The asthenosphere is partially molten.


19. The sharp increases in the velocity of S-waves at 400 and 670 kilometers depth in the mantle are probably caused by __________.
A.changes to more compact mineral structures
B.changes in the composition of the mantle
C.changes in the temperature of the mantle
D.changes in the pressure of the mantle


20. Which of the following statements about the Earth's core is true?
A.The inner core and the outer core are both liquid.
B.The inner core and the outer core are both solid.
C.The inner core is liquid and the outer core is solid.
D.The inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid.


21. What element makes up most of the Earth's core?
A.silicon
B.oxygen
C.iron
D.magnesium


22. According to a recent hypothesis, where do plumes that feed hot spots originate?
A.the asthenosphere
B.the core-mantle boundary
C.the lithosphere
D.the inner core–outer core boundary


23. Above what temperature do materials lose their permanent magnetism?
A.50°C
B.100°C
C.250°C
D.500°C


24. Permanent magnetism acquired by minerals in igneous rocks during crystallization is called __________ magnetization.
A.depositional remanent
B.plutonoremanent
C.silicate
D.thermoremanent



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