Geochronology – MCQs

<div id=”stickscore”> <span id=”timer” class=”timer-container”>50</span> <strong id=”total-score” class=”score-box”>Score: 0</strong> <span id=”attempted-questions”>Attempted: 0/50</span> <span id=”subscribe”>Subscribe</span> </div> <div id=”mcq-container”> <form> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>1. The science of determining the age of rocks, fossils, and sediments is called:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q1″ value=”Stratigraphy” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q1’, ‘Geochronology’)”> (A) Stratigraphy</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q1″ value=”Geochronology” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q1’, ‘Geochronology’)”> (B) Geochronology</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q1″ value=”Petrology” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q1’, ‘Geochronology’)”> (C) Petrology</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q1″ value=”Mineralogy” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q1’, ‘Geochronology’)”> (D) Mineralogy</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>2. The most common method used for dating organic remains is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q2″ value=”Uranium-lead dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q2’, ‘Carbon-14 dating’)”> (A) Uranium-lead dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q2″ value=”Potassium-argon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q2’, ‘Carbon-14 dating’)”> (B) Potassium-argon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q2″ value=”Carbon-14 dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q2’, ‘Carbon-14 dating’)”> (C) Carbon-14 dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q2″ value=”Fission track dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q2’, ‘Carbon-14 dating’)”> (D) Fission track dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>3. Which isotope of carbon is radioactive and used in dating?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q3″ value=”C-12″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q3’, ‘C-14’)”> (A) C-12</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q3″ value=”C-13″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q3’, ‘C-14’)”> (B) C-13</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q3″ value=”C-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q3’, ‘C-14’)”> (C) C-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q3″ value=”C-11″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q3’, ‘C-14’)”> (D) C-11</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>4. The half-life of Carbon-14 is approximately:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q4″ value=”2,000 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q4’, ‘5,730 years’)”> (A) 2,000 years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q4″ value=”5,730 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q4’, ‘5,730 years’)”> (B) 5,730 years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q4″ value=”10,000 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q4’, ‘5,730 years’)”> (C) 10,000 years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q4″ value=”50,000 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q4’, ‘5,730 years’)”> (D) 50,000 years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>5. Uranium-238 decays to which stable element?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q5″ value=”Thorium” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q5’, ‘Lead-206’)”> (A) Thorium</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q5″ value=”Lead-206″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q5’, ‘Lead-206’)”> (B) Lead-206</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q5″ value=”Argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q5’, ‘Lead-206’)”> (C) Argon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q5″ value=”Strontium” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q5’, ‘Lead-206’)”> (D) Strontium</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>6. The principle of superposition in stratigraphy states that:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q6″ value=”Older layers lie above younger ones” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q6’, ‘Younger layers lie above older ones’)”> (A) Older layers lie above younger ones</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q6″ value=”Younger layers lie above older ones” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q6’, ‘Younger layers lie above older ones’)”> (B) Younger layers lie above older ones</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q6″ value=”All layers are of equal age” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q6’, ‘Younger layers lie above older ones’)”> (C) All layers are of equal age</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q6″ value=”Age cannot be determined from layers” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q6’, ‘Younger layers lie above older ones’)”> (D) Age cannot be determined from layers</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>7. Which isotopic method is most suitable for dating very old rocks (>1 billion years)?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q7″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q7’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q7″ value=”Potassium-argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q7’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (B) Potassium-argon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q7″ value=”Uranium-lead” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q7’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (C) Uranium-lead</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q7″ value=”Thermoluminescence” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q7’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (D) Thermoluminescence</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>8. The half-life of Uranium-238 is approximately:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q8″ value=”700 million years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q8’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (A) 700 million years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q8″ value=”1.2 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q8’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (B) 1.2 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q8″ value=”4.5 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q8’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (C) 4.5 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q8″ value=”10 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q8’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (D) 10 billion years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>9. Potassium-40 decays to:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q9″ value=”Argon-40″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q9’, ‘Argon-40’)”> (A) Argon-40</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q9″ value=”Lead-206″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q9’, ‘Argon-40’)”> (B) Lead-206</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q9″ value=”Strontium-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q9’, ‘Argon-40’)”> (C) Strontium-87</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q9″ value=”Helium-4″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q9’, ‘Argon-40’)”> (D) Helium-4</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>10. The half-life of Potassium-40 is about:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q10″ value=”1.3 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q10’, ‘1.3 billion years’)”> (A) 1.3 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q10″ value=”700 million years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q10’, ‘1.3 billion years’)”> (B) 700 million years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q10″ value=”10,000 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q10’, ‘1.3 billion years’)”> (C) 10,000 years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q10″ value=”50,000 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q10’, ‘1.3 billion years’)”> (D) 50,000 years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>11. Which dating method is based on trapped electrons?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q11″ value=”Radiocarbon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q11’, ‘Thermoluminescence dating’)”> (A) Radiocarbon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q11″ value=”Thermoluminescence dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q11’, ‘Thermoluminescence dating’)”> (B) Thermoluminescence dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q11″ value=”Fission track dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q11’, ‘Thermoluminescence dating’)”> (C) Fission track dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q11″ value=”Uranium-lead dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q11’, ‘Thermoluminescence dating’)”> (D) Uranium-lead dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>12. Fission track dating is useful for minerals containing:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q12″ value=”Uranium” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q12’, ‘Uranium’)”> (A) Uranium</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q12″ value=”Carbon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q12’, ‘Uranium’)”> (B) Carbon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q12″ value=”Potassium” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q12’, ‘Uranium’)”> (C) Potassium</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q12″ value=”Argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q12’, ‘Uranium’)”> (D) Argon</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>13. The age of the Earth is estimated to be about:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q13″ value=”2.5 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q13’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (A) 2.5 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q13″ value=”3.5 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q13’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (B) 3.5 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q13″ value=”4.5 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q13’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (C) 4.5 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q13″ value=”6.0 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q13’, ‘4.5 billion years’)”> (D) 6.0 billion years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>14. The term “half-life” refers to:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q14″ value=”Time for an isotope to disappear completely” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q14’, ‘Time for half of a radioactive isotope to decay’)”> (A) Time for an isotope to disappear completely</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q14″ value=”Time for half of a radioactive isotope to decay” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q14’, ‘Time for half of a radioactive isotope to decay’)”> (B) Time for half of a radioactive isotope to decay</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q14″ value=”Time for isotope to double in mass” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q14’, ‘Time for half of a radioactive isotope to decay’)”> (C) Time for isotope to double in mass</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q14″ value=”Time for mineral growth” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q14’, ‘Time for half of a radioactive isotope to decay’)”> (D) Time for mineral growth</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>15. The isotope used in dating groundwater is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q15″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q15’, ‘Tritium’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q15″ value=”Tritium” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q15’, ‘Tritium’)”> (B) Tritium</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q15″ value=”Uranium-238″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q15’, ‘Tritium’)”> (C) Uranium-238</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q15″ value=”Argon-40″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q15’, ‘Tritium’)”> (D) Argon-40</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>16. The geologic time scale is primarily constructed using:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q16″ value=”Fossils and radiometric dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q16’, ‘Fossils and radiometric dating’)”> (A) Fossils and radiometric dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q16″ value=”Density of rocks” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q16’, ‘Fossils and radiometric dating’)”> (B) Density of rocks</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q16″ value=”Magnetic field” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q16’, ‘Fossils and radiometric dating’)”> (C) Magnetic field</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q16″ value=”Crystal structure” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q16’, ‘Fossils and radiometric dating’)”> (D) Crystal structure</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>17. Which dating technique is most useful for volcanic rocks?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q17″ value=”Uranium-lead” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q17’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (A) Uranium-lead</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q17″ value=”Potassium-argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q17’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (B) Potassium-argon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q17″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q17’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (C) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q17″ value=”Dendrochronology” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q17’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (D) Dendrochronology</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>18. The stable isotope formed at the end of Uranium-235 decay chain is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q18″ value=”Lead-206″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q18’, ‘Lead-207’)”> (A) Lead-206</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q18″ value=”Lead-207″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q18’, ‘Lead-207’)”> (B) Lead-207</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q18″ value=”Lead-208″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q18’, ‘Lead-207’)”> (C) Lead-208</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q18″ value=”Argon-40″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q18’, ‘Lead-207’)”> (D) Argon-40</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>19. Which dating method is based on tree-ring analysis?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q19″ value=”Radiocarbon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q19’, ‘Dendrochronology’)”> (A) Radiocarbon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q19″ value=”Dendrochronology” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q19’, ‘Dendrochronology’)”> (B) Dendrochronology</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q19″ value=”Thermoluminescence” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q19’, ‘Dendrochronology’)”> (C) Thermoluminescence</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q19″ value=”Fission track dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q19’, ‘Dendrochronology’)”> (D) Fission track dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>20. The half-life of Uranium-235 is approximately:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q20″ value=”704 million years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q20’, ‘704 million years’)”> (A) 704 million years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q20″ value=”1.3 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q20’, ‘704 million years’)”> (B) 1.3 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q20″ value=”4.5 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q20’, ‘704 million years’)”> (C) 4.5 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q20″ value=”10 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q20’, ‘704 million years’)”> (D) 10 billion years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>21. Which isotope is used in Rubidium-strontium dating?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q21″ value=”Rb-85″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q21’, ‘Rb-87’)”> (A) Rb-85</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q21″ value=”Rb-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q21’, ‘Rb-87’)”> (B) Rb-87</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q21″ value=”Sr-86″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q21’, ‘Rb-87’)”> (C) Sr-86</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q21″ value=”Sr-90″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q21’, ‘Rb-87’)”> (D) Sr-90</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>22. The stable daughter product of Rb-87 decay is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q22″ value=”Sr-86″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q22’, ‘Sr-87’)”> (A) Sr-86</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q22″ value=”Sr-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q22’, ‘Sr-87’)”> (B) Sr-87</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q22″ value=”Sr-88″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q22’, ‘Sr-87’)”> (C) Sr-88</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q22″ value=”Sr-90″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q22’, ‘Sr-87’)”> (D) Sr-90</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>23. Which dating method is effective for archaeological artifacts up to ~50,000 years old?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q23″ value=”Radiocarbon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q23’, ‘Radiocarbon dating’)”> (A) Radiocarbon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q23″ value=”Uranium-lead dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q23’, ‘Radiocarbon dating’)”> (B) Uranium-lead dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q23″ value=”Potassium-argon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q23’, ‘Radiocarbon dating’)”> (C) Potassium-argon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q23″ value=”Fission track dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q23’, ‘Radiocarbon dating’)”> (D) Fission track dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>24. Luminescence dating methods rely on:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q24″ value=”Radioactive decay” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q24’, ‘Trapped charge accumulation’)”> (A) Radioactive decay</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q24″ value=”Trapped charge accumulation” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q24’, ‘Trapped charge accumulation’)”> (B) Trapped charge accumulation</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q24″ value=”Isotopic ratios” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q24’, ‘Trapped charge accumulation’)”> (C) Isotopic ratios</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q24″ value=”Fossil records” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q24’, ‘Trapped charge accumulation’)”> (D) Fossil records</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>25. The principle that geologic processes occurring today also occurred in the past is called:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q25″ value=”Catastrophism” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q25’, ‘Uniformitarianism’)”> (A) Catastrophism</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q25″ value=”Uniformitarianism” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q25’, ‘Uniformitarianism’)”> (B) Uniformitarianism</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q25″ value=”Actualism” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q25’, ‘Uniformitarianism’)”> (C) Actualism</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q25″ value=”Stratigraphy” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q25’, ‘Uniformitarianism’)”> (D) Stratigraphy</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>26. Which isotope is useful in dating marine sediments?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q26″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q26’, ‘Oxygen-18’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q26″ value=”Oxygen-18″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q26’, ‘Oxygen-18’)”> (B) Oxygen-18</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q26″ value=”Potassium-40″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q26’, ‘Oxygen-18’)”> (C) Potassium-40</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q26″ value=”Uranium-238″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q26’, ‘Oxygen-18’)”> (D) Uranium-238</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>27. The time taken for complete decay of a radioactive isotope is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q27″ value=”Equal to one half-life” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q27’, ‘Cannot be determined exactly’)”> (A) Equal to one half-life</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q27″ value=”Equal to two half-lives” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q27’, ‘Cannot be determined exactly’)”> (B) Equal to two half-lives</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q27″ value=”Cannot be determined exactly” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q27’, ‘Cannot be determined exactly’)”> (C) Cannot be determined exactly</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q27″ value=”Equal to 10,000 years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q27’, ‘Cannot be determined exactly’)”> (D) Equal to 10,000 years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>28. Isochron dating helps to avoid the problem of:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q28″ value=”Parent-daughter ratio assumptions” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q28’, ‘Parent-daughter ratio assumptions’)”> (A) Parent-daughter ratio assumptions</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q28″ value=”Contamination” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q28’, ‘Parent-daughter ratio assumptions’)”> (B) Contamination</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q28″ value=”Fossil absence” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q28’, ‘Parent-daughter ratio assumptions’)”> (C) Fossil absence</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q28″ value=”Stratigraphic gaps” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q28’, ‘Parent-daughter ratio assumptions’)”> (D) Stratigraphic gaps</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>29. Which isotope pair is used in uranium-thorium dating?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q29″ value=”U-235 / Pb-207″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q29’, ‘U-234 / Th-230’)”> (A) U-235 / Pb-207</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q29″ value=”U-238 / Pb-206″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q29’, ‘U-234 / Th-230’)”> (B) U-238 / Pb-206</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q29″ value=”U-234 / Th-230″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q29’, ‘U-234 / Th-230’)”> (C) U-234 / Th-230</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q29″ value=”Rb-87 / Sr-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q29’, ‘U-234 / Th-230’)”> (D) Rb-87 / Sr-87</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>30. The oldest rocks on Earth are dated at about:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q30″ value=”2.5 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q30’, ‘3.8 billion years’)”> (A) 2.5 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q30″ value=”3.0 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q30’, ‘3.8 billion years’)”> (B) 3.0 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q30″ value=”3.8 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q30’, ‘3.8 billion years’)”> (C) 3.8 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q30″ value=”4.0 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q30’, ‘3.8 billion years’)”> (D) 4.0 billion years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>31. Which isotope is used in fission track dating of volcanic glass?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q31″ value=”Uranium-238″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q31’, ‘Uranium-238’)”> (A) Uranium-238</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q31″ value=”Potassium-40″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q31’, ‘Uranium-238’)”> (B) Potassium-40</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q31″ value=”Rubidium-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q31’, ‘Uranium-238’)”> (C) Rubidium-87</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q31″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q31’, ‘Uranium-238’)”> (D) Carbon-14</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>32. Cosmogenic nuclide dating involves isotopes produced by:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q32″ value=”Radioactive decay” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q32’, ‘Cosmic ray interactions’)”> (A) Radioactive decay</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q32″ value=”Cosmic ray interactions” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q32’, ‘Cosmic ray interactions’)”> (B) Cosmic ray interactions</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q32″ value=”Volcanic activity” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q32’, ‘Cosmic ray interactions’)”> (C) Volcanic activity</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q32″ value=”Metamorphic reactions” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q32’, ‘Cosmic ray interactions’)”> (D) Metamorphic reactions</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>33. Which isotopic system is widely used for dating metamorphic rocks?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q33″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q33’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q33″ value=”Potassium-argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q33’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (B) Potassium-argon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q33″ value=”Uranium-lead” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q33’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (C) Uranium-lead</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q33″ value=”Oxygen isotopes” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q33’, ‘Potassium-argon’)”> (D) Oxygen isotopes</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>34. The half-life of Rubidium-87 is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q34″ value=”48 million years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q34′, ’49 billion years’)”> (A) 48 million years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q34″ value=”700 million years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q34′, ’49 billion years’)”> (B) 700 million years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q34″ value=”1.3 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q34′, ’49 billion years’)”> (C) 1.3 billion years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q34″ value=”49 billion years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q34′, ’49 billion years’)”> (D) 49 billion years</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>35. Varve chronology is based on:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q35″ value=”Fossil sequences” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q35’, ‘Annual sediment layers’)”> (A) Fossil sequences</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q35″ value=”Tree rings” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q35’, ‘Annual sediment layers’)”> (B) Tree rings</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q35″ value=”Annual sediment layers” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q35’, ‘Annual sediment layers’)”> (C) Annual sediment layers</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q35″ value=”Isotope ratios” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q35’, ‘Annual sediment layers’)”> (D) Isotope ratios</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>36. Which isotope is useful for dating coral reefs?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q36″ value=”U-238″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q36’, ‘C-14’)”> (A) U-238</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q36″ value=”Th-230″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q36’, ‘C-14’)”> (B) Th-230</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q36″ value=”C-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q36’, ‘C-14’)”> (C) C-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q36″ value=”Sr-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q36’, ‘C-14’)”> (D) Sr-87</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>37. The isotope commonly used to date lunar rocks is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q37″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q37’, ‘Potassium-40’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q37″ value=”Uranium-238″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q37’, ‘Potassium-40’)”> (B) Uranium-238</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q37″ value=”Potassium-40″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q37’, ‘Potassium-40’)”> (C) Potassium-40</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q37″ value=”Rubidium-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q37’, ‘Potassium-40’)”> (D) Rubidium-87</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>38. Which dating method involves measuring the ratio of parent to daughter isotopes?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q38″ value=”Isochron dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q38’, ‘Radiometric dating’)”> (A) Isochron dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q38″ value=”Radiometric dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q38’, ‘Radiometric dating’)”> (B) Radiometric dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q38″ value=”Luminescence dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q38’, ‘Radiometric dating’)”> (C) Luminescence dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q38″ value=”Paleomagnetic dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q38’, ‘Radiometric dating’)”> (D) Paleomagnetic dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>39. Which geologic principle states that fossil organisms succeed one another in a definite order?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q39″ value=”Superposition” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q39’, ‘Faunal succession’)”> (A) Superposition</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q39″ value=”Cross-cutting” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q39’, ‘Faunal succession’)”> (B) Cross-cutting</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q39″ value=”Faunal succession” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q39’, ‘Faunal succession’)”> (C) Faunal succession</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q39″ value=”Original horizontality” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q39’, ‘Faunal succession’)”> (D) Original horizontality</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>40. Which dating technique is used for obsidian artifacts?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q40″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q40’, ‘Obsidian hydration dating’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q40″ value=”Potassium-argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q40’, ‘Obsidian hydration dating’)”> (B) Potassium-argon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q40″ value=”Obsidian hydration dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q40’, ‘Obsidian hydration dating’)”> (C) Obsidian hydration dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q40″ value=”Uranium-lead” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q40’, ‘Obsidian hydration dating’)”> (D) Uranium-lead</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>41. The isotope commonly used for dating groundwater younger than 100 years is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q41″ value=”Tritium” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q41’, ‘Tritium’)”> (A) Tritium</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q41″ value=”C-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q41’, ‘Tritium’)”> (B) C-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q41″ value=”U-238″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q41’, ‘Tritium’)”> (C) U-238</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q41″ value=”Sr-87″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q41’, ‘Tritium’)”> (D) Sr-87</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>42. Which method is most reliable for dating zircon crystals?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q42″ value=”Carbon-14″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q42’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (A) Carbon-14</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q42″ value=”Uranium-lead” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q42’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (B) Uranium-lead</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q42″ value=”Potassium-argon” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q42’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (C) Potassium-argon</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q42″ value=”Luminescence” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q42’, ‘Uranium-lead’)”> (D) Luminescence</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>43. Which isotope pair is used in samarium-neodymium dating?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q43″ value=”Sm-147 / Nd-143″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q43’, ‘Sm-147 / Nd-143’)”> (A) Sm-147 / Nd-143</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q43″ value=”Sm-148 / Nd-144″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q43’, ‘Sm-147 / Nd-143’)”> (B) Sm-148 / Nd-144</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q43″ value=”Sm-149 / Nd-145″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q43’, ‘Sm-147 / Nd-143’)”> (C) Sm-149 / Nd-145</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q43″ value=”Sm-150 / Nd-146″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q43’, ‘Sm-147 / Nd-143’)”> (D) Sm-150 / Nd-146</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>44. Which method is often used to date glacial deposits?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q44″ value=”Radiocarbon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q44’, ‘Cosmogenic nuclide dating’)”> (A) Radiocarbon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q44″ value=”Cosmogenic nuclide dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q44’, ‘Cosmogenic nuclide dating’)”> (B) Cosmogenic nuclide dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q44″ value=”Uranium-lead dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q44’, ‘Cosmogenic nuclide dating’)”> (C) Uranium-lead dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q44″ value=”Obsidian hydration dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q44’, ‘Cosmogenic nuclide dating’)”> (D) Obsidian hydration dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>45. The stable daughter product of Th-232 decay is:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q45″ value=”Pb-206″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q45’, ‘Pb-208’)”> (A) Pb-206</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q45″ value=”Pb-207″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q45’, ‘Pb-208’)”> (B) Pb-207</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q45″ value=”Pb-208″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q45’, ‘Pb-208’)”> (C) Pb-208</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q45″ value=”Pb-210″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q45’, ‘Pb-208’)”> (D) Pb-210</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>46. The isotope ratio O-18/O-16 is commonly used to reconstruct:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q46″ value=”Volcanic history” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q46’, ‘Past climates’)”> (A) Volcanic history</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q46″ value=”Past climates” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q46’, ‘Past climates’)”> (B) Past climates</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q46″ value=”Earth’s age” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q46’, ‘Past climates’)”> (C) Earth’s age</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q46″ value=”Soil erosion” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q46’, ‘Past climates’)”> (D) Soil erosion</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>47. The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q47″ value=”Older rocks cut across younger ones” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q47’, ‘Younger features cut across older rocks’)”> (A) Older rocks cut across younger ones</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q47″ value=”Younger features cut across older rocks” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q47’, ‘Younger features cut across older rocks’)”> (B) Younger features cut across older rocks</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q47″ value=”All rocks form at the same time” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q47’, ‘Younger features cut across older rocks’)”> (C) All rocks form at the same time</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q47″ value=”Fossils are time indicators” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q47’, ‘Younger features cut across older rocks’)”> (D) Fossils are time indicators</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>48. Which dating method is useful for speleothems (cave deposits)?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q48″ value=”Uranium-thorium dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q48’, ‘Uranium-thorium dating’)”> (A) Uranium-thorium dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q48″ value=”Radiocarbon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q48’, ‘Uranium-thorium dating’)”> (B) Radiocarbon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q48″ value=”Potassium-argon dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q48’, ‘Uranium-thorium dating’)”> (C) Potassium-argon dating</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q48″ value=”Fission track dating” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q48’, ‘Uranium-thorium dating’)”> (D) Fission track dating</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>49. Which isotope is used in lead-lead dating?</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q49″ value=”Pb-204, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208″ onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q49’, ‘Pb-204, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208’)”> (A) Pb-204, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q49″ value=”Pb-210 only” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q49’, ‘Pb-204, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208’)”> (B) Pb-210 only</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q49″ value=”Pb-214 only” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q49’, ‘Pb-204, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208’)”> (C) Pb-214 only</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q49″ value=”Pb-202 only” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q49’, ‘Pb-204, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208’)”> (D) Pb-202 only</label><br> </div><br> <div class=”question-container”> <strong class=”question-text”>50. The current geologic time scale divides Earth’s history into:</strong><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q50″ value=”Periods, eras, epochs, eons” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q50’, ‘Periods, eras, epochs, eons’)”> (A) Periods, eras, epochs, eons</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q50″ value=”Centuries, decades, years” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q50’, ‘Periods, eras, epochs, eons’)”> (B) Centuries, decades, years</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q50″ value=”Zones, belts, layers” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q50’, ‘Periods, eras, epochs, eons’)”> (C) Zones, belts, layers</label><br> <label><input type=”radio” name=”q50″ value=”Minerals, rocks, fossils” onclick=”checkAnswer(‘q50’, ‘Periods, eras, epochs, eons’)”> (D) Minerals, rocks, fossils</label><br> </div><br> </form> </div>