Earthquakes
Q. Assume that the southern segment of the San Andreas Fault near San Bernardino (California, USA) raptures in a major earthquake. Should people in Hawaii be concerned about an impending tsunami as a result of the earthquake? Elaborate your answer in 4 to 7 sentences.
Hint: After reading the module about earthquakes, you should know how tsunamis are related to earthquakes. What kind of earthquakes cause tsunamis (their magnitude, location, type of fault movement etc.). Thus, you will need to closely analyze the San Andreas Fault near San Bernardino (California, USA) and decide whether it can cause tsunami or not …..
Volcanoes
Q. Describe three major volcanic hazards and their potential effects to the environment, including to humans. The descriptions for each hazard must be given in separate paragraph. Each paragraph has to be 3 to 7 sentences long. In your answers, first name and describe the volcanic hazard and follow this with a description of its effect to the environment. Your answer must use appropriate geological terms/vocabulary. Avoid general or vague statements, explain your answer clearly with concrete examples.
Example:
1. Volcanic gases
The white or sometimes dark clouds coming out of volcanic vents include toxic gases such as CO2, CH4, NO2, SO2, etc. that are harmful to humans if inhaled. CO2 and CH4 are powerful greenhouse gases and result in global warming. In addition, when NO2 and SO2 reach the atmosphere the react with water vapor and cause acid rain.
You should give three such examples.
Geologic time
Q. Recall that Earths age is 4.56 b.y. This age was determined from a meteorite that was found on Earth. The dating method used was U-Pb with a half-life of 4.56 b.y. Based on these facts, you should be able to expect how much U and how much Pb the meteorite should have on it? Avoid general or vague statements, explain your answer clearly with concrete examples.
Hint: First, review the concept of “half-life” and determine how many half-lives must have elapsed in the case of the meteorite. Based on this you should say what proportions or percentages of the parent (U) and daughter (Pb) can accumulate/remain in the sample (meteorite) after the half-lives you determined have elapsed.
Mass movement
Q. Name a major mass movement (landslide) that occurred during the past decade in the country where you currently live and describe its main features in 5 to 8 sentences. Use appropriate terms/vocabulary. Avoid general or vague statements, explain your answer clearly with concrete examples.
Hint: Try to find from reputable journals (including major geologic, geographic, or science magazines and articles) an account of recent landslide (no older than 10 years ago). Describe when it happened, its magnitude, the location, what caused or triggered it, and what was the environmental and/or human impact. You must also write what source you used (reference/works cited).
Hydrology
Q. Explain how streams and groundwater are related to geology. This being a broad question, focus on one example each explaining how (1) streams, and (2) groundwater are related to geology. Your answer must use appropriate geological terms/vocabulary. Avoid general or vague statements, explain your answer clearly with concrete examples.
Hint: Consider the interaction between stream (running water) and groundwater with rocks. In other words discuss the work of streams and groundwater on rocks.
Geologic Resources
Q. In no less than 10 sentences, explain how the exploration, extraction, transportation, and use of geologic resources impact our environment, including to humans. Your answer must use appropriate geological terms/vocabulary. Avoid general or vague statements, explain your answer clearly with concrete examples.
Hint: Geologic resources such as industrial minerals, rocks, geothermal, coal, natural gas, petroleum, etc are essential for our development. However, there are also negative impacts of such resources during different phases during the exploration, extraction, transportation, and use of the resources. Focus on one geologic resource and discuss how the way we explore, extract, process, transport, and use negatively impacts our environment, including to humans.
