1ST EXAM REVIEWER GEOL 11

Jaya F. Salazar

2013-12433

1. What is the difference between petrology and petroleum geology?

Petrology deals with the origin, composition and formation of rocks. Petroleum geology refers
to the application of geology for exploration of hydrocarbons.
2. Can you make yourself a mineral at home? Why/why not?
No, minerals are naturally occuring, has a definite chemical composition and are formed as a
result of geological processes under a variety of conditions.
3. What is the Mohs Scale of Hardness? What are different common objects (and their
corresponding hardness) used in determing relative hardness of minerals?
The Mohs Scale of Hardness is a scale for classifying minerals based on their hardness. 2.5
Fingernail, 3.5 Copper coin, 5 Steel nail, 5-6 Glass, 7 Streak Plate.
4. If all expenses are covered for airfare and everything else youll need for a trip abroad, where
would you go to take a sample of lava (considering factors like safety and ease of access)?
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii since its non-explosive and has zero volcano explosivity index.
5. Differentiate the inner from outer planets.
The terrestrial planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars contain high temperature minerals.
They have rocky composition, largely silicate rocks and metals. The Jovian planets, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus and Neptune contain lower temperature materials. They lack solid surfaces in
gaseous or liquid form. Theyre composed of mostly light elements.
6. Is the Earth as old as the universe? Explain your answer.
No, the formation of the universe is believed to have been caused by the Big Bang, while the
Earth is believed to be an offshoot of the formation of the universe, therefore making the
universe older than the Earth.
7. Imagine that you are to dissect the earth similar to how you dissect a frog in zoology class,
draw how it would look like, label its parts, and describe each of its parts.
Crust- it is made up of the oceanic crust
and continental crust. Outermost layer.
Mantle- it extends to a depth of ~2900km
and is composed of the upper mantle
Mantle
and the mesosphere.
Core- iron rich sphere with small amounts
of nickel and other elements. Divided into
Inner core
inner and outer core.
Outer
8. What is the difference between lava and
magma? Describe magmas components
and
Crust
how it is formed.

1ST EXAM REVIEWER GEOL 11

Magma (intrusive) is molten material which may contain suspended crystals and dissolved
volatiles. It is formed due to the melting of upper mantle or lower crust. Lava (extrusive) is hot
fluid molten rock that flows along the land surface.
9. How does magma composition diversify and, consequently, result in the formation of different
types of igneous rocks?
Magma is classified based on the chemical composition: Felsic, Intermediate, Mafic and
Ultramafic. Basically, the silica content is a factor in the formation of extrusive or intrusive
rocks.
10. Why is there a distinction between a continuous and a discontinuous series in Bowens
reactions series diagram?
There is a distinction since minerals can either react discontinuously to form new minerals
with different crystal structures, or react continuously to form new minerals with almost the
same structures.
11. Relate the following magma properties: silica content, viscosity, temperature, and density.
Explain the relationships among these.
Magma is classified according to silica content, viscosity and temperature. The properties of
magma are viscosity and density. As temperature and density increases, viscosity and silica
content decreases.
12. State the different types of volcanic landforms and associate these with the general
composition of magma/lava responsible for their formation.
Shield volcano-made up of succesive lava flows
Cinder cone- made up of pyroclastic material
Composite or strato-volcano- tephra and lava flows
13. In a cooling magma body, what affects the resultant texture of an igneous rock?
The composition and the different cooling temperatures of the minerals affects the texture.
14. What composition of magma results in the most explosive volcanic eruptions? What are the
usual types of materials ejected during such volcanic eruptions?
Felsic, acidic or silicic magma, which has the most silica content, results in the most explosive
volcanic eruptions. Large volumes of ash and blocks are usually ejected.
15. Group together the terms that are synonymous:
Intrusive and plutonic
Volcanic and extrusive
Basaltic and malfic and basic
Andesitic and intermediate
Felsic, silicic, granitic, acidic
Ultramafic and ultrabasic