Engineering Geology MCQs (Multiple-Choice Questions)

1. How many types of crust are there on Earth?

1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2

Answer: D) 2

Explanation:

There are two forms of crust on Earth: continental crust and oceanic crust.

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2. Which of the following types of crust is thicker and less dense?

1. Continental crust
2. Oceanic crust
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Answer: A) Continental crust

Explanation:

The continental crust is thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust. The continental crust is situated beneath the continents and is 30-50 kilometers (18-31 miles) thick.

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3. Which of the following types of discontinuities within the earth’s structure separates the earth's crust from the underlying mantle?

1. Conrad Discontinuity
2. Mohorovicic discontinuity
3. Repetti Discontinuity
4. Guttenberg Discontinuity

Answer: B) Mohorovicic discontinuity

Explanation:

The Mohorovicic discontinuity, often known as the Moho, is the boundary that separates the Earth's crust from the underlying mantle.

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4. Which of the following types of discontinuity refers to the boundary between the Earth's outer core and its inner core?

1. Conrad Discontinuity
2. Lehmann discontinuity
3. Repetti Discontinuity
4. Guttenberg Discontinuity

Answer: B) Lehmann discontinuity

Explanation:

The boundary that divides the Earth's outer core from its inner core is known as the Lehmann discontinuity.

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5. Conrad discontinuity is associated with which type of crust?

1. Continental crust
2. Oceanic crust
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Answer: A) Continental crust

Explanation:

The continental crust is divided into two layers by a well-defined discontinuity known as the Conard discontinuity.

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6. Which of the following is True about oceanic crust?

1. It is the outermost layer
2. It is 5-10 km thick
3. It is denser compared to continental crust
4. All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation:

All three statements (A, B, and C) about the oceanic crust are correct:

• It is the outermost layer.
• It is 5-10 km thick.
• It is denser compared to continental crust.

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7. Which of the following is known to be the third and innermost structural shell of the earth?

1. Mantle
2. Atmosphere
3. Crust
4. Core

Answer: D) Core

Explanation:

The Earth's structure is often separated into three layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. The core is the Earth's innermost layer, which is separated into the outer core and the inner core.

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8. Which of the following is the second layer of the atmosphere?

1. Lithosphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Troposphere
4. Mesosphere

Answer: B) Stratosphere

Explanation:

The Earth's atmosphere is separated into layers. The stratosphere is the Earth's second primary layer of atmosphere.

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9. Continental crust has how many layers?

1. 5
2. 4
3. 2
4. 1

Answer: C) 2

Explanation:

The continental crust has two layers:

• Upper layer (Sial layer)
• The lower layer (Sima layer)

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10. Which layer of the continental crust is made up of granitic rocks that are high in silicon and aluminum?

1. Sial layer
2. Sima layer
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Answer: A) Sial layer

Explanation:

The Sial layer is the continental crust's uppermost layer. It is mostly made up of granitic rocks that are high in silicon and aluminum. The term Sial is derived from the molecular symbols for silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al).

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11. What are the major elements of the crust?

1. Silica and magnesium
2. Silica and aluminum
3. Aluminum
4. Magnesium and aluminum

Answer: B) Silica and aluminum

Explanation:

The major elements of the Earth's crust are silica and aluminum, which form its composition of minerals and overall geological characteristics.

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12. The ____ Discontinuity separates the core from the mantle.

1. Conrad
2. Lehmann
3. Repetti
4. Guttenberg

Answer: D) Guttenberg

Explanation:

The Gutenberg Discontinuity is the break that separates the core from the mantle.

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13. In which of the following types of processes are rocks or minerals broken down into smaller particles, which eventually turn into soil?

1. Weathering
2. Erosion
3. Decomposition
4. Chemical attack

Answer: A) Weathering

Explanation:

Weathering is a process in which rocks or minerals present on the earth's surface are broken down into smaller particles, which eventually turn into soil.

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14. Which of the following is not an agent of weathering?

1. Water
2. Ice
3. Acids
4. Minerals

Answer: D) Minerals

Explanation:

Minerals are not often considered weathering agents. They are the substances that can be influenced by weathering processes.

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15. Weathering and erosion cannot be resisted by any rock on Earth?

1. True
2. False
3. -
4. -

Answer: A) True

Explanation:

The forces of weathering and erosion cannot be resisted by any rock on Earth. Weathering and erosion will eventually occur even to the hardest rocks, such as granite.

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16. The process of ____ weathering involves changing temperatures, pressures, and abrasions which break rocks into smaller pieces as a physical result of physical forces.

1. Chemical weathering
2. Mechanical weathering
3. Biological weathering
4. Acidic weathering

Answer: B) Mechanical weathering

Explanation:

The process of mechanical weathering involves changing temperatures, pressures, and abrasions which break rocks into smaller pieces as a physical result of physical forces.

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17. Which of the following is not an example of chemical weathering?

1. Exfoliation
2. Hydrolysis
3. Oxidation
4. Carbonation

Answer: A) Exfoliation

Explanation:

Chemical weathering does not include exfoliation. It is, instead, a sort of mechanical weathering.

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18. The detachment of rock layers from the surface of a huge rock mass is known as ____.

1. Exfoliation
2. Hydrolysis
3. Oxidation
4. Carbonation

Answer: A) Exfoliation

Explanation:

Exfoliation is a type of mechanical weathering in which rock layers peel from the surface of a big rock mass.

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19. ____ is a type of weathering process that dissolves whole minerals, leaving no solid behind.

1. Sheeting
2. Honeycomb weathering
3. Holocaust
4. Upwelling

Answer: C) Holocaust

Explanation:

Holoclasty is a type of weathering process that dissolves whole minerals, leaving no solid behind.

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20. Which of the following processes is most common in calcium carbonate-containing rocks, such as limestone and marble?

1. Exfoliation
2. Hydrolysis
3. Oxidation
4. Carbonation

Answer: D) Carbonation

Explanation:

Carbonation is a sort of chemical weathering process that mostly affects rocks containing calcium carbonate, such as limestone and marble.

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21. Which of the following processes is the removal of fine-grained particles such as silt and clay from the Earth's surface by wind?

1. Deflation
2. Deposition
3. Erosion
4. Abrasion

Answer: A) Deflation

Explanation:

Deflation is the removal of fine-grained particles such as silt and clay from the Earth's surface by wind.

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22. Which of the following processes gradually smoothes, rounds or polishes rock surfaces over time?

1. Deflation
2. Deposition
3. Erosion
4. Abrasion

Answer: D) Abrasion

Explanation:

Abrasion occurs as a result of water-borne sediments, wind-blown particles, or moving ice gradually smoothing, rounding, or polishing rock surfaces.

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23. Which of the following rock types are formed by the solidification and crystallization of molten magma or lava?

1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks
4. All of the above

Answer: A) Igneous rocks

Explanation:

Igneous rock types are formed by the solidification and crystallization of molten magma or lava. Example Granite.

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24. How many types of sedimentary rocks are there?

1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2

Answer: C) 3

Explanation:

There are three types of sedimentary rocks:

• Organic Sedimentary Rocks
• Clastic Sedimentary Rocks
• Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

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25. Pedestal rocks have appearance like ____.

1. Gigantic cloud
2. Mushroom
3. Animal foot
4. No fixed shape

Answer: B) Mushroom

Explanation:

The look of pedestal rocks is frequently compared to that of a mushroom.

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26. During the eroding process, softer rocks selectively streamlined, creating elongated landforms called ____.

1. Yardangs
2. Sheeting
3. Metamorphic rocks
4. Pedestal rocks

Answer: A) Yardangs

Explanation:

During the eroding process, softer rocks selectively streamlined, creating elongated landforms called yardangs.

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27. In which of the following areas ventifacts rocks are generated?

1. Sea areas
2. Desert area
3. Hilly areas
4. Swampy areas

Answer: B) Desert area

Explanation:

Ventifacts are rock formations formed by the wind. They are mainly common in desert environments.

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28. Which of the following is a crucial process in the creation of sand dunes and the transportation of sand in windy environments?

1. Abrasion
2. Deflation
3. Saltation
4. Migration

Answer: C) Saltation

Explanation:

Saltation is a crucial method in the creation of sand dunes and in the transportation of sand in windy environments.

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29. Which of the following types of dunes are also known as barchanoid dunes?

1. Crescentic dunes
2. Barchan dunes
3. Transverse dunes
4. Sigma dunes

Answer: A) Crescentic dunes

Explanation:

Crescentic dunes, also known as barchanoid dunes, are a type of dune formation defined by its crescent or U-shaped structure.

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30. Crescentic dunes are common in which type of areas?

1. Desert area
2. Hilly areas
3. Desert and coastal areas
4. Desert and hilly areas

Answer: C) Desert and coastal areas

Explanation:

Crescentic dunes are common in both desert and coastal regions around the world.

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31. Which of the following types of dunes is perpendicular to the wind direction?

1. Barchan
2. Star dune
3. Sigma dune
4. Transverse dune

Answer: D) Transverse dune

Explanation:

Transverse dunes are long, longitudinal sand dunes that form perpendicular to the direction of the prevailing wind.

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32. Rock geology does not involve which of the following concepts?

1. Inspection of rock formation
2. Mineral composition
3. Structural properties of rocks
4. None of the above

Answer: D) None of the above

Explanation:

The study of rocks, their composition, features, and origins is referred to as rock geology. The study of rock formations, mineral composition, and structural features of rocks is common in rock geology.

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33. Which of the following angles represents the angle of inclination of a rock layer?

1. Dip angle
2. Strike angle
3. Plunge angle
4. All of the above

Answer: A) Dip angle

Explanation:

Dip angle represents the angle of inclination of a rock layer.

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34. The vertical angle formed by the horizontal plane and the axis is known as the ____.

1. Dip angle
2. Strike angle
3. Plunge angle
4. Width

Answer: C) Plunge angle

Explanation:

The vertical angle formed by the horizontal plane and the axis is known as the plunge.

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35. What is the unit of dip angle?

1. Meter
2. Degrees
3. Radians
4. Pie

Answer: B) Degrees

Explanation:

The unit of dip angle is typically measured in degrees (°).

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36. How many degrees of dip indicate the horizontal orientation?

1. 180
2. 90
3. 360
4. 0

Answer: D) 0

Explanation:

When the dip is zero degrees, the orientation is horizontal.

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37. What is hinge?

1. A hinge is a line or zone along a fold's axis that has the maximum amount of curvature
2. A hinge is a line or zone along a fold's axis that has the minimum amount of curvature
3. A hinge is a straight line crossing the fold
4. A hinge is a line which is parallel to the fold axis

Answer: A) A hinge is a line or zone along a fold's axis that has the maximum amount of curvature

Explanation:

A hinge is a line or zone along a fold's axis that has the maximum amount of curvature.

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38. Which of the following type of fold has an arch-shaped structure and represent the folding of the earth's crust?

1. Syncline
2. Dip line
3. Anticline
4. Monocline

Answer: C) Anticline

Explanation:

An anticline is a geological fold that has an arch-like shape and an upward convex shape with strata that dip away from the axis.

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39. Which of the following refers to the two sides of folds?

1. Hinge
2. Limbs
3. Trough lines
4. Crest point

Answer: B) Limbs

Explanation:

In the case of folds, limbs are the two sides that extend outward from the fold's axial plane.

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40. Which of the following types of fold has basin basin-shaped structure and represents the downward convex folds?

1. Syncline
2. Dip line
3. Anticline
4. Monocline

Answer: A) Syncline

Explanation:

Synclines have a unique trough-shaped or basin-like structure, with the youngest rock layers creating the fold's lowest point or base.

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41. Which of the following types of fold has a small radius of curvature?

1. Fix fold
2. Loose fold
3. Tight fold
4. Dome fold

Answer: C) Tight fold

Explanation:

A tight fold has a small radius of curvature, which results in an abrupt shift in the orientation of the rock layers.

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42. Which of the following is true about orogeny?

1. Orogeny is the process of mountain formation that is typically caused by tectonic plate interactions
2. Subduction, collision, and continental drift are some of the processes of orogeny
3. Orogeny results in structural deformation of the Earth's crust
4. All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation:

Orogeny is the process of mountain formation that is typically caused by tectonic plate interactions. Subduction, collision, and continental drift are some of the processes of orogeny that result in structural deformation of the Earth's crust.

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43. The tendency of minerals to break along specific planes of weakness is referred to as ____.

1. Sync form
2. Cleavage
3. Trough lines
4. Dome

Answer: B) Cleavage

Explanation:

The tendency of minerals to break along specific planes of weakness is referred to as cleavage.

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44. Which of the following factors causes folding?

1. Tectonic plate movement
2. Sheer stress
3. Temperature and confining pressure
4. All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation:

The factors that cause folding are:

• Tectonic plate movement
• Sheer stress
• Temperature and confining pressure
• Compressional forces

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45. Which of the following reasons causes non-tectonic folding?

1. Gravitational forces
2. Weight of overlying sediments
3. Collection of sedimentary deposits
4. All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation:

Non-tectonic folding can occur as a result of gravity forces, the weight of overlying sediments, or a collection of sedimentary deposits, resulting in the formation of gentle folds and structural changes.

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46. Which of the following is not an example of basin-shaped structures formed by flexural folding?

1. Synclines
2. Anticline
3. Sedimentary basins
4. Foreland basins

Answer: B) Anticline

Explanation:

Here are a few examples of basin-shaped structures generated via flexural folding:

• Synclines
• Sedimentary basins
• Foreland basins
• Backarc basins

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47. A ____ folding occurs in ductile rocks such as gypsum, salt, and shale.

1. Flexural folding
2. Flowage folding
3. Shear folding
4. None of the above

Answer: B) Flowage folding

Explanation:

Flowage folding occurs in ductile rocks such as gypsum, salt, and shale.

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48. Which of the following is not a non-tectonic fold?

1. Folding Due to Differential Compression
2. Folding Due to intrusions
3. Flexural folding
4. Flowage folding

Answer: A) Folding Due to Differential Compression

Explanation:

Folding Due to Differential Compression is a tectonic fold generated by rock layer compression.

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49. ____ are the intersections between fault planes and the earth's surface.

1. Fault plane
2. Fault lines
3. Fault scrap
4. Footwall

Answer: B) Fault lines

Explanation:

Fault lines are the intersections between fault planes and the earth's surface.

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50. What is fault scrap?

1. A fault scarp is a minor step or offset in the Earth's surface
2. A fault scarp is a major dip angle in the Earth's surface
3. A fault scarp is a block located below the fault line
4. All of the above

Answer: A) A fault scarp is a minor step or offset in the Earth's surface

Explanation:

A fault scarp is a minor step or offset in the Earth's surface

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