Compiled Learning Goals for EOSC 110 Final Exam
EOSC 110 Part One
Introduction
Define uniformitarianism and explain its utility in interpreting the rock record.
Plate Tectonics
Illustrate and label the layers of the Earth (Inner Core, Outer Core, Mantle Regions, and Crust)
and describe the basic properties of these layers (composition and behavior).
Identify the components of the lithosphere.
Describe and draw the different types of plate boundaries (divergent, convergent and
transform)
Recognize and interpret associations between plate boundaries and associated features
(eg. Trenches, mountains, volcanoes, mid-ocean ridges)
Describe techniques for observing plate movements (Hot spots tracking, GPS, fault
displacement, magnetic striping, lithological correlation)
Apply knowledge of plate movement measurements to identify direction and relative
velocities of plate movements through time.
Describe mantle and lithosphere properties that lead to the movement of plates and
creation of rocks.
Distinguish between ridge-push and slab pull and note the areas where these processes
occur. Minerals
Define what a mineral is
Describe the atomic structure and bonding of common minerals
Recognize the relationships between physical properties of minerals, internal crystal
structure, and identification
Compare and contrast the chemical composition and mineralogy of each of Earth’s
layers
Igneous Rocks
Describe how igneous processes fit into the rock cycle
Distinguish between extrusive and intrusive rocks on the basis of origin and textures
(Coarse v. fine grained).
Distinguish between felsic (granitic) and mafic (basaltic) rocks in terms of mineralogy,
silica content, Fe+Mg+Ca content, melting point and colour.
Interpret Bowen’s Reaction Series as a means for explaining the mineral
composition of mafic, intermediate and felsic rocks.
Relate extrusive rock names to intrusive rock names.
Define the components of magma (liquid, solid, gas).
Describe how magmas are generated and how they evolve (or change
composition)
Describe and recognize the form of major intrusive igneous bodies (plutons, batholiths,
dykes, sills)
recognize and describe different volcanic products, and associated hazards Igneous Rocks (Continued)
Compare and contrast the physical and chemical characteristics of different types of volcanoes
Explain the distribution of volcanoes
Weathering
Explain the contribution of weathering to the rock cycle
Describe common physical and chemical weathering processes
Recognize rock and landscape features formed by weathering
Sedimentary Rocks
Describe how sedimentary rocks/processes fit into the rock cycle
Explain how sediment becomes sedimentary rock
Recognize the major types of sedimentary rocks and the origin of their components
Recognize common sedimentary structures and what they indicate about
environments of deposition
Explain how oil and gas deposits form in sedimentary rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Describe how metamorphic rocks/processes fit into the rock cycle
Describe the driving forces for metamorphism
Identify metamorphic changes in rocks Metamorphic Rocks (Continued)
Compare and contrast metamorphism in contact vs. regional settings
Recognize the tectonic and geologic settings in which common metamorphic rocks form
EOSC 110 Part Two
Geological Time
Recognize the scope of geologic time over which interior and surficial processes have
occurred
Order the periods and epochs of the Phanerozoic.
Explain how we can date rocks using radioactive isotopes. Where are these isotopes
found?
Discuss lines of evidence for the age of the Earth
Define the following terms: isotope, half-life, par
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