Environmental Geology – Resources Midterm Study Guide

These flashcards cover essential definitions, concepts, and examples from the Environmental Geology midterm study guide.

Ammonite fossil dating

An ammonite fossil dated to 80 million years (Ma) is approximately 29,200,000 days old.

Price calculation of gold wire

The price of a piece of gold wire 450 cm long, selling at $25 per foot, is $37.50.

Distance conversion

There are 74,600 centimeters in 746 kilometers.

Difference between oceanic and continental crust

Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust, which is thicker and less dense.

Tectonic setting of hotspots

Most of Earth’s hotspots occur at tectonic plate boundaries, with exceptions like the Hawaiian Islands.

Examples of hotspots

Three examples of hotspots include the Hawaiian Islands, Yellowstone, and Iceland.

Defining characteristics of a mineral

The 5 defining characteristics of a mineral are: naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, ordered internal structure, and definite chemical composition.

Luster

Luster is the way a mineral reflects light, ranging from metallic to dull.

Cleavage

Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces.

Hardness

Hardness is the measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching.

Intrusive igneous rocks

Intrusive igneous rocks form from magma cooling slowly below the Earth's surface, while extrusive igneous rocks form from lava cooling quickly on the surface.

Porosity

Porosity is the percentage of void spaces in a material, indicating its capacity to hold fluids.

Permeability

Permeability is the ability of a material to transmit fluids through its pore spaces.

Types of plate boundaries

The three types of plate boundaries are: convergent (e.g., subduction zones), divergent (e.g., rift valleys), and transform (e.g., San Andreas Fault).

Real-life examples of plate boundaries

Real-life examples include the San Andreas Fault (transform), Mariana Trench (convergent), and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (divergent).

Aquifer

An aquifer is a geological formation that can store and transmit groundwater.

Formation of sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks form through the accumulation and compaction of sediments over time.

Formation of metamorphic rocks

Metamorphic rocks form from existing rocks undergoing heat and pressure.

Formation of igneous rocks

Igneous rocks form from the solidification of molten rock material (magma or lava).