Geography · Science General

Rocks and Earth Materials

1,291 Questions

Study geographical questions centered around rocks, minerals, and earth materials. The focus is on the formation and identification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. These earth science topics are commonly tested in civil services and state level examinations.

Igneous rocksSedimentary rocksMetamorphic processEarth materialsGeomorphic symbols

Rocks and Earth Materials Questions

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements: 'Vulcanicity' refers to

  1. all those processes in which molten rock material or magma rises into the crust.
  2. the greater bulk of the volcanic rocks of the earth's surface were erupted from volcanoes.
  3. the process of solidification of rock into crystalline of semicrystalline from molten rocks material after being poured out on the surface. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 1 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Vulcanicity encompasses all processes where magma rises into the crust (1) and solidifies (3). Statement 2 is incorrect because most volcanic rocks on Earth's surface come from fissure eruptions and extensive lava plateaus, not from individual volcanic cones. The bulk of volcanic material is extruded through cracks, not central volcanoes.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the mountain building?

  1. Alpine-Caledonian-Harcynian-Precambrian

  2. Precambrian-Harcynian-Caledonian-Alpine

  3. Precambrian-Caledonian-Harcynian-Alpine

  4. Caledonian-Precambrian-Alpine-Harcynian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mountain building epochs from oldest to youngest: Precambrian (oldest, >570 million years) → Caledonian (~420-390 Ma) → Hercynian (also called Variscan, ~360-280 Ma) → Alpine (youngest, ~65-2 Ma). Option C correctly orders them. The Alpine orogeny includes the Himalayas and is still active.

Multiple choice

Match List I (characteristic of weathering) with List II (Relationship of Various Aspects of Weathering) and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I List II A. Distintegration of rocks 1. A universal feature in weathering without chemical alteration B. Rotting and decomposition of rocks 2. Red, yellow and brown tints on chemical weathering C. Process of oxidation 3. Mechanical weathering D. Effect of oxidation upon iron 4. Chemical weathering E. Compounds 5. Dominant weathering process of the humid temperate regions

  1. A 1 B 3 C 4 D 5

  2. A 3 B 4 C 1 D 2

  3. A 1 B 5 C 2 D 4

  4. A 3 B 4 C 2 D 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Multiple choice

Which of the following is correct?

  1. Feldspar has light cream to salmon pink colour and is used in ceramics and glass making.

  2. Pyroxene is white or colourless and used in radio and radar, and is one of the most important components of granite.

  3. Quartz is commonly found in meteorites and is in green or black in colour.

  4. Olivine is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and is used in electrical instruments.

  5. Mica is in green or black colour, and is used in asbestos industry.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is correct. Half of the earth’s crust is composed of feldspar. It has light cream to salmon pink colour and is used in ceramics and glass making.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is incorrect?

  1. The basic source of all minerals is the hot magma in the interior of the earth.

  2. When magma cools, crystals of minerals appear and a systematic series of minerals are formed in sequence to solidify, so as to form rocks.

  3. A mineral is a naturally occurring organic substance, having an orderly atomic structure and a definite chemical composition and physical properties.

  4. All of the above statements are incorrect.

  5. None of the above statements is incorrect.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is correct, as this statement is incorrect. A mineral can be organic as well as non organic. Thus, this is incomplete and incorrect.

Multiple choice

Which of the following types of rocks are formed by the process of lithification?

  1. Igneous rocks

  2. Sedimentary rocks

  3. Metamorphic rocks

  4. All types of rocks

  5. Sedimentary and Igneous rocks
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rocks on the earth's surface break up into various sizes and fragments, and are deposited by different exogenous agencies. These deposits through compaction turn into rocks. This process is called lithification. Sedimentary rocks undergo the process of lithification.

Multiple choice

Match the column I sedimentary rock with column II mode of formation:

 
Column I Column II
1. Sandstone a. Chemically formed
2. Chalk b. Mechanically formed
3. Potash c. Organically formed

  1. 1 - a, 2 - b, 3 - c

  2. 1 - b, 2 - c, 3 - a

  3. 1 - c, 2 - b, 3 - a

  4. 1 - a, 2 - c, 3 - b

  5. 1 - c, 2 - a, 3 - b
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. Sandstone is a mechanically formed sedimentary rock. Chalk is an organically formed sedimentary rock. Potash is a chemically formed sedimentary rock.

Multiple choice

The upper part of the Lithosphere is made up of

  1. geyser

  2. stalactites

  3. granite rock

  4. dolarite
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The continental crust, which forms the upper part of the lithosphere, is primarily composed of granite and other felsic rocks. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock rich in silica and aluminum. The oceanic crust is thinner and composed of basalt, not granite. Geysers are hot springs, stalactites are cave formations, and dolerite is a different type of igneous rock.

Multiple choice

Fountain like intermittent warm water coming out from underground.

  1. Geyser

  2. Stalactites

  3. Granite rock

  4. Dolarite

  5. Hurricane
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A geyser is a hot spring that intermittently erupts water and steam due to underground pressure buildup. The term comes from the Icelandic word 'geysir' meaning 'to gush.' Stalactites and granite rock are not water-related features, dolerite is an igneous rock, and hurricanes are atmospheric phenomena.

Multiple choice

Pendant mass of calcite hanging vertically from the roof of a cave.

  1. Geyser

  2. Stalactites

  3. Granite rock

  4. Dolarite

  5. Hurricane
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Stalactites are icicle-shaped formations that hang from cave ceilings, formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate from dripping water. The mnemonic 'stalactites hold tight to the ceiling' helps remember this. Stalagmites grow upward from the floor. Geysers are water features, granite is a rock type, dolerite is igneous rock, and hurricanes are weather systems.