Environmental Geology – MCQs

1. The study of the interaction between humans and their geological environment is called:
(A) Petrology
(B) Environmental Geology
(C) Geomorphology
(D) Mineralogy

2. Which of the following is a renewable resource?
(A) Coal
(B) Oil
(C) Groundwater
(D) Natural Gas

3. The most common greenhouse gas produced by human activity is:
(A) Methane
(B) Nitrous oxide
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Ozone

4. Acid rain is primarily caused by emissions of:
(A) SO₂ and NOₓ
(B) CO₂ and CH₄
(C) O₃ and CFCs
(D) H₂S and CO

5. The process of recharging groundwater naturally is called:
(A) Infiltration
(B) Evaporation
(C) Condensation
(D) Precipitation

6. Which natural disaster is most commonly linked with tsunamis?
(A) Floods
(B) Earthquakes
(C) Volcanic eruptions
(D) Landslides

7. The study of past climates using evidence from sediments and rocks is called:
(A) Paleontology
(B) Paleoclimatology
(C) Petrology
(D) Stratigraphy

8. Which type of rock often acts as an aquifer?
(A) Shale
(B) Sandstone
(C) Basalt
(D) Granite

9. The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing:
(A) Infrared radiation
(B) Gamma rays
(C) Ultraviolet radiation
(D) X-rays

10. Which of the following is considered a non-point source of pollution?
(A) Factory discharge
(B) Sewage outlet
(C) Agricultural runoff
(D) Oil spill

11. Which scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes?
(A) Mohs scale
(B) Richter scale
(C) Beaufort scale
(D) Mercalli scale

12. Global warming results mainly from increased:
(A) Oxygen concentration
(B) Greenhouse gases
(C) Solar radiation
(D) Ocean currents

13. Deforestation contributes most directly to:
(A) Soil erosion
(B) Mineral formation
(C) Volcanoes
(D) Earthquake hazards

14. Which of the following is a geologic hazard?
(A) Recycling
(B) Landslide
(C) Composting
(D) Plantation

15. Desertification is most often caused by:
(A) Overgrazing and deforestation
(B) Volcanic eruptions
(C) Earthquakes
(D) Landslides

16. The water table represents:
(A) Upper boundary of saturation zone
(B) Lower boundary of aquifer
(C) Soil erosion layer
(D) Bedrock surface

17. Which is the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth?
(A) Rivers
(B) Lakes
(C) Glaciers and ice sheets
(D) Groundwater

18. An earthquake under the sea may generate:
(A) Typhoon
(B) Cyclone
(C) Tsunami
(D) Hurricane

19. The term “land subsidence” is often related to:
(A) Over-pumping of groundwater
(B) Volcanic eruptions
(C) River floods
(D) Tectonic uplift

20. Which rock type often forms karst topography?
(A) Sandstone
(B) Shale
(C) Limestone
(D) Granite

21. Which gas is a major contributor to ozone layer depletion?
(A) Methane
(B) Chlorofluorocarbons
(C) Nitrous oxide
(D) Carbon dioxide

22. Which of the following is a primary energy source?
(A) Coal
(B) Electricity
(C) Nuclear power
(D) Solar panels

23. The intensity of earthquake shaking at a location is measured by:
(A) Richter scale
(B) Modified Mercalli scale
(C) Mohs scale
(D) Seismic index

24. Which mineral resource is most associated with acid mine drainage?
(A) Gold
(B) Iron
(C) Coal
(D) Sulfide ores

25. Which is the best method to manage solid waste sustainably?
(A) Open dumping
(B) Incineration
(C) Landfilling
(D) Recycling and reuse

26. Which of the following is an example of renewable energy?
(A) Coal
(B) Natural gas
(C) Solar energy
(D) Petroleum

27. Floodplains are formed by:
(A) Glacial melting
(B) River deposition
(C) Earthquakes
(D) Wind erosion

28. Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?
(A) Carbon monoxide
(B) Ozone at ground level
(C) Methane
(D) Sulfur dioxide

29. Which type of volcano is the most explosive?
(A) Shield volcano
(B) Composite volcano
(C) Dome volcano
(D) Cinder cone

30. A landslide occurring under water is known as:
(A) Avalanche
(B) Rock fall
(C) Submarine slide
(D) Slump

31. The slow downslope movement of soil and rock is called:
(A) Creep
(B) Fall
(C) Flow
(D) Slide

32. The main cause of groundwater contamination is:
(A) Recycling
(B) Industrial waste
(C) Natural vegetation
(D) Mountain uplift

33. Which energy source is considered cleanest among fossil fuels?
(A) Oil
(B) Coal
(C) Natural gas
(D) Peat

34. Which soil horizon is rich in organic material?
(A) O-horizon
(B) B-horizon
(C) C-horizon
(D) R-horizon

35. The Earth’s atmosphere is mainly composed of:
(A) Oxygen and carbon dioxide
(B) Nitrogen and oxygen
(C) Argon and oxygen
(D) Nitrogen and carbon dioxide

36. Which of the following is NOT a fossil fuel?
(A) Coal
(B) Oil
(C) Natural gas
(D) Uranium

37. The natural process that purifies groundwater is:
(A) Condensation
(B) Filtration through soil and rock
(C) Evaporation
(D) Volcanic activity

38. The greenhouse effect is caused by trapping of:
(A) Solar radiation
(B) Infrared radiation
(C) Ultraviolet rays
(D) X-rays

39. Which is the most abundant renewable energy resource?
(A) Solar energy
(B) Wind energy
(C) Hydropower
(D) Biomass

40. Which natural hazard is measured by the Saffir-Simpson scale?
(A) Earthquake
(B) Tsunami
(C) Hurricane
(D) Landslide

41. The main cause of smog formation is:
(A) Volcanic gases
(B) Vehicle emissions
(C) Deforestation
(D) Industrial noise

42. Which type of soil erosion is caused by running water in narrow channels?
(A) Gully erosion
(B) Sheet erosion
(C) Wind erosion
(D) Splash erosion

43. Which of the following is considered a geologic sink for CO₂?
(A) Limestone formations
(B) Atmosphere
(C) Oceans
(D) Forests

44. Which natural hazard can be predicted most accurately?
(A) Landslide
(B) Flood
(C) Earthquake
(D) Volcanic eruption

45. The area where groundwater discharges naturally to the surface is called:
(A) Aquiclude
(B) Spring
(C) Water table
(D) Artesian well

46. Which of the following is a major environmental impact of mining?
(A) Urbanization
(B) Deforestation and land degradation
(C) Soil fertility
(D) Groundwater recharge

47. Which metal is most commonly recycled worldwide?
(A) Copper
(B) Aluminum
(C) Iron/Steel
(D) Zinc

48. Which type of earthquake wave travels fastest?
(A) S-waves
(B) P-waves
(C) Surface waves
(D) Love waves

49. Which natural hazard often follows heavy rainfall on steep slopes?
(A) Tsunami
(B) Landslide
(C) Earthquake
(D) Drought

50. Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce air pollution?
(A) Burning more fossil fuels
(B) Expanding industrial areas
(C) Use of clean energy sources
(D) Urban sprawl