Question 1

When sediments are transformed into rock, it is termed:&#10;A) lithification&#10;B) compaction&#10;C) cementation&#10;D) calcification

Accepted Answer

Lithification is the process by which sediments are compacted and cemented together to form rock. Compaction and cementation are both part of the lithification process, but they alone do not fully describe the transformation of sediments into rock. Calcification is not a term commonly used in geology to describe this process.

Question 2

Common cements in sedimentary rocks are:&#10;A) silica & oxygen&#10;B) calcite & silica&#10;C) muds & clays&#10;D) water & oxygen

Accepted Answer

Calcite and silica are common cements in sedimentary rocks.

Question 3

A common nonclastic sedimentary rock is:&#10;A) sandstone&#10;B) shale&#10;C) halite&#10;D) conglomerate

Accepted Answer

Halite is a nonclastic sedimentary rock composed of the mineral halite (rock salt) that forms through evaporation of saline water bodies such as in salt lakes or inland seas. Sandstone, shale, and conglomerate are clastic sedimentary rocks formed from compacted and cemented fragments of pre-existing rocks.

Question 4

Which statement best describes the characteristic of a conglomerate?&#10;A) rounded pebbles formed during transport by water for some distance&#10;B) angular pebbles were formed during a sudden rock fall&#10;C) well-sorted sediments formed during transport over great distances&#10;D) random directions of the long axes of elliptical pebbles provide evidence of sudden deposition

Accepted Answer

Conglomerates are sedimentary rocks characterized by rounded pebbles and cobbles that have been smoothed and rounded by transport in water over some distance, indicating they were not deposited immediately near their source.

Question 5

Cross-bedding are:&#10;A) beds that cross each other from different directions due to change of deposition patterns&#10;B) beds that are angled and then abruptly eroded due to severe weather patterns resulting in exposed layers along the exterior&#10;C) beds that continue undisturbed across a river due to their resistant nature&#10;D) beds inclined at an angle to the overall layering of the rock due to wind blowing sand over the crest of dunes

Accepted Answer

Cross-bedding refers to beds that are inclined at an angle to the overall layering of the rock, and this occurs due to wind blowing sand over the crest of dunes. This process creates angled beds that cross each other, which is why the term "cross-bedding" is used.

Question 6

In general, which mineral is most abundant in sandstone?&#10;A) obsidian glass&#10;B) feldspar&#10;C) calcium carbonate&#10;D) quartz

Accepted Answer

Quartz is the most abundant mineral in sandstone, making up the majority of the rock's composition. Other minerals such as feldspar, mica, and calcite may also be present in lesser amounts. Obsidian glass is not a mineral, and calcium carbonate is more commonly found in sedimentary rocks such as limestone.

Question 7

Layers composed of similar characteristics and can distinguished from juxtaposed layers is termed:&#10;A) bedding planes&#10;B) strata&#10;C) stratigraphy&#10;D) stratification

Accepted Answer

Strata are defined as layers of rock that have a distinct composition or texture and can be distinguished from the adjacent layers. Bedding planes are the surfaces that separate two layers of rock and may or may not be distinct. Stratification refers to the process of layering, while stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and their relationship to time and space.

Question 8

Unconformities are breaks or gaps in the rock record and may be formed by a(n):&#10;A) erosional event&#10;B) non-depositional event&#10;C) both (a) and (b)&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Unconformities can be formed by both erosional events and non-depositional events, such as uplift or tectonic activity. This results in a gap in the rock record, with the rock layers above and below the unconformity showing evidence of different time periods or environments.

Question 9

Common table salt is also known as:&#10;A) anhydrite&#10;B) gypsum&#10;C) halite&#10;D) limestone

Accepted Answer

Common table salt is also known as halite. Anhydrite, gypsum, and limestone are all different minerals.

Question 10

Sedimentary and igneous rocks can be changed by heat and/or pressure into a metamorphic rock, but metamorphic rocks cannot change into another rock.

Accepted Answer

Metamorphic rocks can undergo processes such as melting and recrystallization, which could potentially change them into another type of rock. However, this process is not considered a typical transformation from one rock type to another.

Question 11

Foliation (layering in metamorphic rocks) is seen in the following metamorphic rocks EXCEPT:&#10;A) quartzite&#10;B) gneiss&#10;C) slate&#10;D) schist

Accepted Answer

The answer of Foliation (layering in metamorphic rocks) is seen...

Question 12

Contact metamorphism are rocks that have been changed by:&#10;A) stress&#10;B) strain&#10;C) heat&#10;D) pressure

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contact metamorphism are rocks that have been...

Question 13

Only sedimentary and igneous rocks can be metamorphosed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Only sedimentary and igneous rocks can be...

Question 14

While studying a stratigraphic section, a peculiar rock is found in one of the strata. It is made up of rounded pebbles of various sizes that are set within a sand-like matrix. What is the rock's name and what processes would best explain its formation?

A) rocky Sandstone; underwater landslide and then brought to the shoreline by large waves
B) breccia; landslide deposit, buried and then cemented together
C) conglomerate; transported by water, deposited, compacted, and cemented together
D) pebblestone; periodic flooding, transported, deposited followed by drought conditions

Accepted Answer

The answer of While studying a stratigraphic section, a peculiar...

Deck 28: Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks