Volcanoes and Geology Quiz: 15 Earth Questions
From spectacular volcanic eruptions to the depths of the Earth's crust, geology reveals the titanic forces that shape our planet. Are you ready to explore the bowels of the Earth?
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Frequently asked questions: Volcanoes & Geology
Here is a preview of what awaits you in this volcanoes & geology quiz: 15 multiple choice questions, each with a detailed explanation so you can learn while you play. Below are a few sample questions (and their answers, so no peeking before you play!).
What are the three main categories of rock?
Answer: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. The three main categories of rock are: igneous (formed by the cooling of magma), sedimentary (formed by the accumulation of deposits) and metamorphic (transformed by pressure and temperature).
Which type of volcano produces explosive eruptions with nuées ardentes (glowing ash clouds)?
Answer: A stratovolcano (explosive volcano). Stratovolcanoes (or composite volcanoes) produce explosive eruptions with nuées ardentes, pyroclastic flows and ash falls. Examples include Vesuvius, Mount St Helens and Pinatubo.
What is a geyser?
Answer: A hot spring that erupts periodically under pressure. A geyser is a hydrothermal spring that periodically shoots out hot water and steam. Groundwater is heated by magma, builds up pressure and bursts out violently. The most famous is Old Faithful in the United States.
What is the highest active volcano in the world?
Answer: Ojos del Salado (Chile-Argentina). Ojos del Salado, on the border between Chile and Argentina in the Andes, is the highest active volcano in the world at 6,893 meters above sea level. Its last known activity dates back about 1,500 years.
Which geological phenomenon is behind the formation of the Hawaiian Islands?
Answer: A volcanic hotspot beneath the Pacific plate. The Hawaiian Islands formed above a hotspot, a fixed zone where magma rises from deep within the mantle. As the Pacific plate moved over this hotspot, a chain of volcanic islands was created over millions of years.
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