Part A: WEATHERING and SOILS

• What are the two main categories of weathering? In what ways are they different?

• Mechanical or physical weathering: explain how water, salt crystal growth and biological activity can cause mechanical weathering. Give examples of each.

• Chemical weathering: dissolution (limestones by acid rain), hydrolysis and oxidation: Be able to explain each process and give an example.

• How does climate affect weathering?

• What is soil? Why is soil an interface in the Earth System?

• List and explain the five basic controls of soil formation.

• Examples of soil erosion: The Dust Ball

Part B- SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

• What is a sedimentary rock?

• Describe the ways in which loose sediment converts into hard sedimentary rock (lithification)

• Contrast the basic groups of sedimentary rocks: Detrital (or clastic) and Chemical/biogenic

• What are sedimentary structures? Why are these structures useful to geologist?

• Mud cracks, cross bed, dunes and ripples, what are they and what do they reveal about past environments. (Also check in class handout)

• Explain why sedimentary rocks are important in the study of Earth history and their economic importance: which energy resources are associated with sedimentary rocks? What resources are in Michigan?

Part C- METAMORPHISM and METAMORPHIC ROCKS

• What is Metamorphism? Describe the main changes that occur during metamorphism (mineral and texture changes)

• In which three geologic settings is metamorphism most likely to occur?

• What are the agents of metamorphism?

• What are the two textural divisions of metamorphic rocks and the conditions associated with each occurrence? Describe the textural differences exhibited by metamorphic rocks (foliated, non-foliated).

• What are the different types of metamorphism?

Part D- GEOLOGIC TIME

• Describe absolute and relative age of a geologic event: distinguish between numerical ages and relative ages

• List and describe the principles or rules used for relative dating:

- Principle of Superposition
- Principle of Original Horizontality
- Principle of Cross-cutting Relationships
- Principle of inclusions

• What is the significance of an unconformity?

• Describe and identify the different unconformities (gaps in the rock record): Angular Unconformity, Nonconformity and Disconformity.

• Explain how is determined the absolute age of a rock: What are isotopes? What is Half Life?

• Exercises from handouts: know how to calculate the absolute age of a rock.