Question 1

In 1975, which company began a Pollution Prevention Pays program?

Accepted Answer

3M began their Pollution Prevention Pays program in 1975, which focused on reducing waste and pollution while also saving money. This program became a model for other companies to follow in their efforts to be more environmentally responsible.

Question 2

Soil that forms from the weathering of volcanic lava is not very fertile.

Accepted Answer

Soil that forms from the weathering of volcanic lava is often very fertile due to the high mineral content released as the lava breaks down.

Question 3

An active volcano forms where magma reaches the earth's surface through a vent or a fissure.

Accepted Answer

This is true. An active volcano is one that has recently erupted or is expected to erupt in the future. It forms where magma (molten rock beneath the earth's surface) reaches the surface through a vent or fissure, leading to volcanic activity.

Question 4

The highest peaks and deepest valleys are on the continents.

Accepted Answer

The highest peaks are on continents (e.g., Mount Everest in Asia), but the deepest valleys are underwater, such as the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

Question 5

In the transportation industry, switching to high-strength plastics and composite materials strengthened by light-weight carbon and glass fibers in place of metals, have all of the following advantages, except

Accepted Answer

The use of high-strength plastics and composite materials does not serve as catalysts, so option A is not an advantage. However, options B, C, D, and E are all advantages of using these materials.

Question 6

Some analysts suggest we can increase supplies of some minerals by extracting lower grades of ore. Which of the following is not a factor that limits the mining of lower- grade ores?

Accepted Answer

The lack of new earth-moving equipment and mining techniques is not a limiting factor for mining lower-grade ores because advancements are constantly being made in mining technology and equipment. Factors that do limit the mining of lower-grade ores include increased cost of mining and processing larger volumes of ore, increasing shortage of freshwater, environmental impact of increased land disruption, and pollution produced during mining and processing activities.

Question 7

The oceanic crust makes up less than 30% of the earth's crust.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The oceanic crust makes up less than...

Question 8

Recycling aluminum beverage cans and scrap aluminum produces ____ percent less air pollution than mining and processing aluminum ore.

Accepted Answer

Recycling aluminum beverage cans and scrap aluminum produces 95 percent less air pollution compared to mining and processing aluminum ore. This significant reduction is due to the energy efficiency and reduced emissions associated with recycling processes.

Question 9

External geological processes tend to build up the earth's surface, including mountains and volcanoes.

Accepted Answer

External geological processes, such as erosion and weathering, actually break down and wear away the Earth's surface, while internal processes like tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions build up the Earth's surface, including mountains and volcanoes.

Question 10

The mining law that governs the exploration and mining of hard rock minerals on U.S.public lands was passed into law in what year?

Accepted Answer

The mining law that governs the exploration and mining of hard rock minerals on U.S. public lands was passed into law in 1872, making it the oldest federal land management law still in effect.

Question 11

The advantages of using microorganisms for mining include all of the following, except

Accepted Answer

The advantages of using microorganisms for mining include reduced land disturbance, reduced air pollution, reduced use of hazardous chemicals, and reduced water pollution. However, the removal of the mineral may not necessarily be faster when using microorganisms, as it is a relatively slow process compared to traditional mining methods.

Question 12

The Great Lakes in the United States, are the world's largest body of fresh water, and were formed when glaciers retreated after the last ice age.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Great Lakes were formed as a result of glacial activity during and after the last ice age. They are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world, containing approximately 84% of North America's surface freshwater.

Question 13

The continents, riding on tectonic plates, have crashed together and separated several times during the earth's history.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The movement of tectonic plates has led to the formation of supercontinents, such as Pangea, and their subsequent breakup into the continents we know today.

Question 14

Which of the following is true concerning the possible mining of the ocean floor?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true concerning...

Question 15

Each year the General Mining Law of 1872 allows companies to remove at least $4 billion of hard rock minerals from public lands and pay what percentage of the value of the minerals to the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

According to the General Mining Law of 1872, companies are required to pay only 2.3% of the value of hard rock minerals extracted from public lands to the U.S. government. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 16

Tidal waves in the open ocean can travel as fast as jet airplanes.

Accepted Answer

Tidal waves, also known as tsunamis, can travel at speeds up to 500 miles per hour in the open ocean, which is faster than most commercial jet airplanes.

Question 17

The gold necessary for two wedding rings produces enough mining waste to weigh the same as three mid-sized cars.

Accepted Answer

Gold mining produces a significant amount of waste, with estimates suggesting that for every gram of gold mined, two to three grams of waste are produced. The production of two wedding rings would require several grams of gold, resulting in a considerable amount of mining waste. The weight of this waste could indeed be equivalent to that of three mid-sized cars.

Question 18

Major earthquakes measure from 7.0-7.9 on the Richter scale.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Major earthquakes measure between 7.0-7.9 on the Richter scale.

Question 19

The slowest of the earth's cyclic processes is the carbon cycle.

Accepted Answer

The carbon cycle is not the slowest of the earth's cyclic processes. It is actually one of the faster ones, with the entire cycle taking only a few hundred years. Other cycles, such as the rock cycle and the water cycle, can take millions of years.

Question 20

Most earthquakes occur near the center of a tectonic plate.

Accepted Answer

Most earthquakes actually occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where the plates are colliding, sliding past each other, or spreading apart. However, some earthquakes can also occur within the plate itself, particularly in areas with geological features such as faults or volcanoes.

Quiz 14: Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources