Lecture 4: Lithosphere

Question 1

The lithosphere, Earth’s solid outer layer, is composed of which two components?

Answer 1

The crust and the upper-most solid part of the mantle

Question 2

What is the defining characteristic of a craton?

Answer 2

It is an ancient, stable part of a continent’s lithosphere, forming its central mass

Question 3

What key piece of evidence first led Luis and Walter Alvarez to propose that a massive extraterrestrial impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs?

Answer 3

A thin layer of clay with high levels of iridium

Question 4

Which geological time unit represents the largest percentage of Earth’s history?

Answer 4

Proterozoic Eon

Question 5

What is the correct chronological order of the periods within the Mesozoic Era, from oldest to most recent?

Answer 5

Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous

Question 6

Based on the map of Alberta’s bedrock geology, in which region would you find the oldest rocks, part of the Canadian Shield?

Answer 6

Northeast corner

Question 7

What process is responsible for the formation of plutonic igneous rocks, such as those found in parts of the Canadian Shield?

Answer 7

Magma cooling and solidifying while still underground

Question 8

The Canadian Rockies are primarily composed of what type of rock that was uplifted over millions of years?

Answer 8

Sedimentary rock deposits from the late Paleozoic era

Question 9

What is the correct chronological order of Earth’s eons, from oldest to most recent?

Answer 9

Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic

Question 10

What is the correct chronological order of Phanerozoic eras, from oldest to most recent?

Answer 10

Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Question 11

How does metamorphic rock form?

Answer 11

By recrystallizing minerals under high pressure or temperature

Question 12

What is Acasta Gneiss?

Answer 12

The oldest rock on Earth, located in the Slave Craton

Question 13

What percentage of Earth’s terrestrial surface do mountains account for?

Answer 13

30%

Question 13

Towards which bodies of water to northern and southern Alberta rivers flow respectively?

Answer 13

North - Arctic Ocean
South - Hudson’s Bay

Question 13

What is the K-T boundary?

Answer 13

Point between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods, dating back to 65.5 Ma when dinosaurs went extinct

Question 14

The K-T boundary’s rock sediments contain high concentrations of which element?

Answer 14

Iridium

Question 15

What is the oldest North American craton?

Answer 15

Superior (4.3 to 2.6 Ba)

Question 16

When was the Big Bang?

Answer 16

13.8 billion YPB

Question 17

When did Earth form?

Answer 17

4.54 billion YBP

Question 18

When did LUCA exist?

Answer 18

3.8 billion YBP