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Earth's Geological Composition Quiz

#1

Which of the following is the most abundant element in Earth's crust?

Oxygen
Explanation

Oxygen is the most abundant element in Earth's crust, comprising about 46.6% of its mass.

#2

Which type of rock forms from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

Igneous
Explanation

Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, either beneath the Earth's surface or at its surface.

#3

Which type of rock is formed by the alteration of existing rock through heat, pressure, or chemical processes?

Metamorphic
Explanation

Metamorphic rocks are formed by the alteration of existing rocks through heat, pressure, or chemical processes, typically deep within the Earth's crust.

#4

Which geological era is known as the 'Age of Dinosaurs'?

Mesozoic
Explanation

The Mesozoic era is known as the 'Age of Dinosaurs,' spanning from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago.

#5

Which mineral is the primary component of limestone?

Calcite
Explanation

Calcite is the primary component of limestone, a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate.

#6

What is the name of the boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving apart?

Divergent boundary
Explanation

A divergent boundary is the boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving apart from each other, often associated with the formation of new crust.

#7

Which layer of the Earth is primarily composed of solid iron and nickel?

Inner core
Explanation

The inner core is primarily composed of solid iron and nickel, with temperatures reaching over 5,000 degrees Celsius.

#8

What is the most abundant mineral group in the Earth's mantle?

Pyroxenes
Explanation

Pyroxenes are the most abundant mineral group in the Earth's mantle, consisting of single-chain silicate minerals.

#9

What is the approximate age of the Earth, according to scientific estimates?

4.6 billion years
Explanation

The Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old, based on scientific estimates derived from radiometric dating of meteorites and rocks.

#10

Which of the following minerals is essential for plant growth and is a primary component of many fertilizers?

Potassium Feldspar
Explanation

Potassium Feldspar is essential for plant growth and is a primary component of many fertilizers due to its potassium content.

#11

What is the name of the process by which one tectonic plate moves beneath another due to differences in density?

Subduction
Explanation

Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate moves beneath another due to differences in density, often resulting in volcanic activity and seismic events.

#12

What is the name of the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments through mechanical or chemical means?

Weathering
Explanation

Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments through mechanical or chemical means, leading to erosion and sedimentation.

#13

What is the name of the supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras?

Pangaea
Explanation

Pangaea was the supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras before it began to break apart approximately 175 million years ago.

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