The test is worth 20% of your final grade. Use this review during the test and turn it in to receive +5% on your exam score.

Nature of Science

1. Know the scientific method and be familiar with hypothesis and scientific theory.

2. What is an observable fact?

3. What is a control and a constant?

Earthquakes

4. Diagram a fault, focus, and epicenter of an earthquake.

5. Define p-waves and s-waves and know what they can travel through.

6. Explain the p and s-wave shadow zone.

7. Why is it difficult to predict earthquakes?

8. What is the relationship of the arrival time of P and S waves and distance?

9. Refer to a time-travel graph. What is the distance to the epicenter if the p-wave travels for 4 minutes? S-wave for 6 minutes?

10. Know the three types of faults (normal, strike-slip and reverse) and understand the features associated with each.

11. Name an example of a strike-slip fault in United States.

Volcanoes

12. Know volcano hazards such as lahars and pyroclastic flows.

13. How do Silicates (SiO2) affect volcanism?

14. Explain the relationship between volcanoes, plate boundaries and earthquakes.

15. What is the difference between plutonic igneous rocks and volcanic igneous rocks?

16. What is an igneous rock?

17. Why do some igneous rocks have larger crystals than others and vice versa?

18. What type of volcano is Yellowstone and why is it explosive?

Geologic Time

19. What is absolute age?

20. How is radiocarbon dating used; and what is its limitation?

21. Describe the K-T boundary.

22. Be able to properly sequence events in a geologic cross-section (see example).

23. Explain the Principle of Cross-Cutting and Law of Superposition.

Hydrology

24. Where is an area that has a lot of weathering and erosion?

25. Why does acid mine drainage occur?

26. How do nitrates effect the Helena watershed?

27. Be able to draw a watershed and label divide, tributary, headwaters, and direction of river flow (know all of these terms).

28. What type of rock material have high porosity? Permeability?

29. How does the water table change throughout the year?

30. Explain the significance of the Continental Divide.

31. Why do rivers discharge (cfs) change during the year with highs and low? Be able to read a hydrograph.

32. Where does our schools drinking water come from and is it safe for the future?

Astronomy

1. Describe the Big Bang theory and the evidence to support it.

2. What does gravity depend on?

3. How did the moon form?

4. What is the nebular hypothesis?

Final Exam Essay Question Bank

Directions: Below is a list of potential essay questions for the final exam. You should be able to provide a well thought out response for each of these questions using complete sentences. A typical response is composed of 3-4 sentences, and may be accompanied by a drawing or diagram.

1. How do scientists use seismic waves to determine the composition of Earth’s interior?

2. The Cascade Mountain Range is located on the west coast of our country. It runs North – South through the states of Washington, Oregon & California. Within this mountain range, are several volcanoes (Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Adams, Mt. Bachelor…..etc.) In the space below, describe the tectonic processes that created the mountain chain. Your answer should include types of tectonic plate boundaries & the names of the plates that are involved.

3. Describe the process of radiometric dating and how it is used to date rocks.

4. Explain how rain in Butte Mt can end up in the Pacific Ocean, while rain in Helena Montana can end up in the Atlantic Ocean. Your answer should include what drainage basins are involved.

5. Explain how humans can affect the water quality and quantity in our Watershed.

6. Draw a geologic column which has examples of the Law of Superposition, Principal of Original Horizontality, and Law of Crosscutting Relationships. Include their definitions.

7. Discuss the evidence Scientists have of past climate and species.