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Geology Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Geology Quizzes, Trivia

Geology Trivia

Geology Trivia Quizzes

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This is where quizzes on the physical composition of the earth can be found. If geology rocks your boat, jump on in.
35 Geology quizzes and 347 Geology trivia questions.
1.
  Hardness of Rocks and Minerals   top quiz  
Ordering Quiz
 10 Qns
The Mohs Scale of Hardness
"Hi! Hope you have a good time. You might say this quiz is 'Hard as Diamond'". This was the original intro to what was then a 5 question, multiple choice, quiz. Place these ten minerals in their order of hardness according to the Mohs scale.
Average, 10 Qns, spanishliz, Nov 11 23
Average
spanishliz editor
Nov 11 23
301 plays
2.
  Between a Rock and a Hard Place   great trivia quiz  
Classification Quiz
 12 Qns
There are three major types of rock: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. I'll give you a list of rocks, and your task is to decide which type they are.
Average, 12 Qns, Kankurette, Nov 27 23
Average
Kankurette gold member
Nov 27 23
222 plays
3.
General Rocks
  General Rocks   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
General Rocks was out and about, looking at the geological world about him. He has picked up a few samples in his swag and, oh no!, has tripped on a rock and spilled the contents. Help him correctly name the rocks - the pictures should provide a clue.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, VegemiteKid, Oct 28 23
Very Easy
VegemiteKid gold member
Oct 28 23
428 plays
4.
Canadian Mineral Deposit Geology
  Canadian Mineral Deposit Geology    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
This is a quiz on the mineral resources of Canada and a few of the important mines in operation. See what you know about this rather deep subject. You may find the photos useful for answering several of the questions. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, BigTriviaDawg, Aug 25 23
Average
BigTriviaDawg gold member
Aug 25 23
116 plays
5.
  Please Be Gneiss   great trivia quiz  
Classification Quiz
 15 Qns
Classifying Rock Types
How much do you know about different types of rock? Test your knowledge with this classification quiz!
Average, 15 Qns, LadyNym, Feb 18 23
Recommended for grades: 10,11,12
Average
LadyNym gold member
Feb 18 23
194 plays
6.
A Geological Tour of Australia
  A Geological Tour of Australia   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Australia's natural beauty is breathtaking. Come with me on a tour of this amazing country and learn a bit about the science behind its natural wonders.
Average, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, Apr 16 19
Average
zorba_scank gold member
Apr 16 19
381 plays
7.
  Geology 101: Hydrologic Cycle   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll give you the definition, you pick the term.
Average, 10 Qns, ladymacb29, May 31 17
Average
ladymacb29 editor
May 31 17
7669 plays
8.
Rock On Rock Off
  Rock On! Rock Off!   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
I admit it....I like rocks...I have over one hundred in my collection. Here are a few of the many rocks that are found, or hope to be found in my collection.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Sep 13 15
Average
dcpddc478
594 plays
9.
  What Geologic Feature am I?   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Geology is cool- match my description with my name.
Tough, 10 Qns, severnriver, Jun 14 08
Tough
severnriver
6381 plays
10.
  Geology Rocks!   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The great thing about geologists is how they can pick up a rock and make such bizarre statements as, "This place was underwater a hundred million years ago," or "There used to be a mountain belt nearby." How do they do that? Take this quiz and find out!
Tough, 10 Qns, pu2-ke-qi-ri, Mar 24 17
Tough
pu2-ke-qi-ri
4270 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Region with less than all of the voids between the dirt or rock filled.

From Quiz "Geology 101: Hydrologic Cycle"




11.
  Geology 101: Streams   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll give you a definition, you pick the term.
Average, 10 Qns, ladymacb29, Aug 22 22
Average
ladymacb29 editor
Aug 22 22
7729 plays
12.
  Sliced-up Rocks on a Microscope Slide   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What could be more exciting than looking at rocks in their natural habitat? Why, looking at rocks under a microscope, of course! So take this quiz. I PROMISE you know more about this than you think!
Average, 10 Qns, pu2-ke-qi-ri, Dec 09 16
Average
pu2-ke-qi-ri
1584 plays
13.
  Mineralogy-- Into the Jaws of Doom    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The evil scientist Dr. Blarg has you trapped in his laboratory. If you can't identify ten different minerals, you will meet a fate worse than death! Bwa ha ha! Are you ready for the challenge? (Evil fate not included.)
Average, 10 Qns, pu2-ke-qi-ri, Apr 17 19
Average
pu2-ke-qi-ri
Apr 17 19
2441 plays
14.
  Rock Your World    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Let your inner scientist be your guide as you take this quiz about rocks and rock formations.
Average, 10 Qns, nmerr, Jun 03 21
Average
nmerr gold member
Jun 03 21
1127 plays
15.
  Land Down Under   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I was on FunTrivia when a bucket started talking to me. It had returned from a geological trip where it had seen beautiful treasures excavated from deep within the earth. Why don't you hear the story directly from the bucket's mouth?
Average, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, Mar 12 24
Average
zorba_scank gold member
Mar 12 24
760 plays
16.
  Taken for Granite    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Geology rocks my world! Here are ten questions to spark your interest in the world beneath our feet.
Average, 10 Qns, jry63, Feb 24 16
Average
jry63 gold member
393 plays
17.
  Physical Geology    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about the basic physical geology of the planet we all live on, Earth. It touches on geological formations, rocks, minerals, and some geological history.
Tough, 10 Qns, schuhmacher, Sep 28 23
Tough
schuhmacher
Sep 28 23
931 plays
18.
  The Lithosphere...   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz regarding the lithosphere, or the Earth's solid part. This quiz has some trivia, and it is mainly about the earth's crust. I hope you will be having much fun taking my first quiz!
Tough, 10 Qns, memoria090893, Sep 10 21
Tough
memoria090893
Sep 10 21
2139 plays
19.
  What Have I Become?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some objects have become a little confused due to some changes coming over them. Can you help them realize what have they become?
Average, 10 Qns, remote9, Sep 12 22
Average
remote9
Sep 12 22
516 plays
20.
  Metamorphism: The Story of a Changed Rock   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
These rocks are as pathetic a lot as ever you'll find. They can't take the heat. They buckle under pressure. After a while, you can't even discern their former selves! Take this quiz to learn the story of a Changed Rock...
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, pu2-ke-qi-ri, Jun 07 06
Very Difficult
pu2-ke-qi-ri
1625 plays
21.
  Random Ramblings of a Rockhound   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A visit to the East convinced Corporal Slag to get in touch with his inner self. Being a troll, this somehow got translated into a deep interest in rocks and all things geological. All of the questions have something to do with the letter R.
Average, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, Oct 25 20
Average
zorba_scank gold member
Oct 25 20
705 plays
22.
  Clearly Crystals    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers some of the basic information on crystals and crystal formation. It's a good place to begin if you'd like to understand the dazzling world of crystalline minerals.
Tough, 10 Qns, AElfwynn, Feb 01 04
Tough
AElfwynn
1511 plays
23.
  Geology 101: Weathering   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
I'll give you the definition to the type of weathering, you pick which term it is from a Geology 101 class in the United States!
Average, 5 Qns, ladymacb29, May 01 08
Average
ladymacb29 editor
6428 plays
24.
  Rocks and Minerals Quiz for Experts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is based on high school geology
Tough, 10 Qns, zorr, Nov 06 19
Tough
zorr
Nov 06 19
3599 plays
25.
  Crazy Crystal Structures    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a short quiz on crystals and crystallography in general. It includes questions on defects and structure. Hope you enjoy.
Tough, 10 Qns, inigohowe, May 08 14
Tough
inigohowe
305 plays
26.
  Classes of Rock    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Simply match each rock with its correct class. Remember, the three classes of rock are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Spelling counts! (Some of these rocks may be forms of others included in this quiz.)
Average, 10 Qns, mcfan321, Jun 28 23
Average
mcfan321
Jun 28 23
3252 plays
27.
  Cubic Zirconia Is A Girl's Best Friend    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Lucy in the sky with cubic zirconia" just doesn't sing well, but girls, the beauty and price of a CZ just might make it your new best friend.
Average, 10 Qns, unterkircher, Sep 17 16
Average
unterkircher
324 plays
28.
  Questions on Rocks and Minerals    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How many rocks and minerals can you name and describe? Do you know which crystal system they belong to?
Tough, 10 Qns, DBGC64grl, Sep 30 10
Tough
DBGC64grl
3183 plays
29.
  The Limestone Landscape    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Limestone is a common rock which forms some amazing landforms. It makes up 10% of all sedimentary rocks found on Earth. This quiz is about limestone and the formations it creates. Hope you learn something new!
Tough, 10 Qns, onlytrivial, Jun 30 11
Tough
onlytrivial
701 plays
30.
  Elementary Minerals    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many of the most prized gems and minerals obtain their color from trace minerals and others are composed of metallic compounds. Can you identify the metallic elements in these gems and minerals?
Tough, 10 Qns, drbabe, Sep 06 14
Tough
drbabe
573 plays
31.
  Scales in Meteorology    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a short quiz about the various temporal and spatial scales associated with meteorology/atmospheric science.
Tough, 10 Qns, hutch2000, Aug 13 07
Tough
hutch2000
859 plays
32.
  Interesting Mineral Facts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a fun and interesting quiz on the strange facts of minerals, compiled from data source: "Peterson's Field Guide for Rocks & Minerals," Pough (1988). Answer the questions, have fun.
Difficult, 10 Qns, ig_petrologist, Mar 20 18
Difficult
ig_petrologist
Mar 20 18
852 plays
33.
  On The Rocks    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
To make up for the shortness of my other quiz about minerals, I've decided to make a 15 question quiz on a similar topic, but this one is only about mineral and gemstone specimens. Enjoy!
Difficult, 15 Qns, Flynn_17, Oct 12 18
Difficult
Flynn_17
Oct 12 18
834 plays
34.
  Geology 101: Soil Horizons    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
I'll give you the description of the soil horizon, you pick which letter it is called.
Tough, 5 Qns, ladymacb29, Dec 11 15
Tough
ladymacb29 editor
1003 plays
35.
  To be ORE not    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
Please read this carefully. Several players did not read this and got upset when their answers were wrong. Which ore does NOT belong?
Very Difficult, 5 Qns, awkins, Jun 17 22
Very Difficult
awkins
Jun 17 22
1335 plays

Geology Trivia Questions

1. The molten rock that sits below the earth's surface is called what?

From Quiz
Taken for Granite

Answer: Magma

Magma is generally formed via the partial melting of the Earth's crust and the upper mantle (athenosphere). The temperature range of magma is 700 - 1300 degrees Celsius, depending on its composition. Mafic magmas (high iron and magnesium) have a much higher temperature than felsic magmas (high silica).

2. How many different space lattices are there?

From Quiz Crazy Crystal Structures

Answer: 14

Yes there are 14 different space lattices (organized in seven systems) that could be formed. A space lattice is a small primitive cell that can be repeated potentially an infinite amount of times to form the macro crystal structure. In a space lattice there are three dimensions and four angles to be considered. Each space lattice will have three corners. See if you can guess all the possible combinations.

3. Diamonds rank at number 10 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are the hardest mineral listed. Where would cubic zirconia (CZ) rank on the scale?

From Quiz Cubic Zirconia Is A Girl's Best Friend

Answer: 8-8.5

This means that a CZ has a greater hardness than most semi-precious natural gems. On the Mohs scale, corundum ranks 9 and diamond ranks 10.

4. Corporal Slag was pleased that he was able to identify the volcanic rock rhyolite. Which other igneous rock shares the same chemical composition as rhyolite?

From Quiz Random Ramblings of a Rockhound

Answer: Granite

Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of lava on the earth's surface. When the same lava (known as magma when found within the earth) cools and forms rocks within the earth's crust, it forms granite. Both rocks have a higher amount of silica and lesser amount of iron and magnesium.

5. The emerald is a type of beryl. The distinctive green color of the emerald derives from trace amounts of what metallic elements?

From Quiz Elementary Minerals

Answer: chromium and vanadium

The name emerald comes from the Latin esmaralda, derived from the Hebrew izmergad meaning green. The Hooker brooch at the National Museum of Natural History is a 75 square-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds.

6. Follow my long axis, and I point the way the glacier moved.

From Quiz What Geologic Feature am I?

Answer: Drumlin

Made of glacial deposits, or till, the drumlin is elongated in the direction that the glacier flowed.

7. Why did miners coin the phrase "hanging wall?"

From Quiz The Lithosphere...

Answer: One could hang a lamp on a hanging wall while they're mining.

The terms footwall and hanging wall were coined by miners because one could hang a lamp on a hanging wall and stand on a footwall.

8. The name given to a region in which limestone formations dominate the scenery and topography is karst. In what country is the region that gives us this name?

From Quiz The Limestone Landscape

Answer: Slovenia

The Kras limestone plateau is on the Istrian Peninsula, east of Trieste. The word "karst" comes from the German name for the area. More generally, karst can mean any rock formation which has lost more of its material through dissolution rather than erosion. Most karst formations are limestone and most limestone formations are karst.

9. The mineral phenakite is named after a Greek word that translates to what phrase in English?

From Quiz Interesting Mineral Facts

Answer: to deceive

Phenakite is named from a Greek word for "to deceive" because it was long confused with quartz and other minerals that appear similar. A British specimen, pictured in an 1811 work, was described as white tourmaline for twenty years before it was recognized as a new mineral.

10. What common, pale yellow, metallic mineral has a greenish black streak and is used as a source of the mineral sulfur?

From Quiz Rocks and Minerals

Answer: Pyrite

A unique crystal type called 'pyritohedron' is named after this mineral.

11. Caused when overlying material is removed and intrusive igneous rock expands.

From Quiz Geology 101: Weathering

Answer: Pressure-release fracturing

12. 99 percent of this soil horizon is made of organic material.

From Quiz Geology 101: Soil Horizons

Answer: O

The layers are labeled O, A, B and C, with D being bedrock. The top layer consists primarily of dead plant material. As far as I can ascertain, the letters do not stand for any specific word.

13. Speed and direction of stream flow.

From Quiz Geology 101: Streams

Answer: Velocity

14. Which sedimentary rock reacts with hydrochloric acid?

From Quiz Taken for Granite

Answer: Limestone

The White Cliffs of Dover are made of chalk - a type of limestone. This limestone is composed dominantly of coccoliths (phytoplankton with calcium carbonate 'shells') and was formed during the Cretaceous Period (145 million years ago - 65 million years ago).

15. In the tetragonal crystal structure such as that seen in the neodymium-iron-boron magnet, all angles are 90 degrees. But what are the sides like?

From Quiz Crazy Crystal Structures

Answer: Two axes are the same, one different.

The tetragonal crystal structure is one that looks like a 3D rectangle with all angles at 90 and two pairs of different lengths. It makes up 2 of 14 space lattices. These are the simple tetragonal and the body centered tetragonal.

16. Cubic zirconia has a refractive index of 2.15-2.18. What does refractive index refer to?

From Quiz Cubic Zirconia Is A Girl's Best Friend

Answer: dispersion of light

Think of when you turn a diamond or a CZ to the light and a rainbow of colors appears. The white light is being split into all those colors. The refractive index of diamond is higher at around 2.4.

17. Some granites were enjoying life when an earthquake occurred and buried them underground. Centuries later, they were brought up. One saw his reflection in the river and was shocked. What had he become?

From Quiz What Have I Become?

Answer: Gneiss

They were to be known as gneiss henceforth. Gneiss is a common metamorphic rock formed by regional metamorphism (involving large areas) of igneous rocks, commonly granite. Rock salt is a chemically formed metamorphic rock formed by evaporation of waters in Dead Sea and Aral Sea, among others. Mica is a common rock forming mineral.

18. At the emerald mines of Muzo in Colombia, I learnt that emeralds are a form of the mineral beryl and the green colour is attributed to traces of chromium or vanadium. What special pattern do the rare trapiche emeralds of Colombia contain?

From Quiz Land Down Under

Answer: Star

The trapiche emeralds are a rare type that are found only in three mines in Colombia - Muzo, PeƱas Blancas and Coscuez, all three of which are located along the Carera river. The stones contain carbon impurities that radiate outwards from a central core forming a six pointed star. Other regions famous for emeralds include Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Russia. Another gemstone from the beryl family is the aquamarine which is a blue variety of beryl. The blue colour is due to the presence of iron in the stone.

19. Who is considered to be the Father of Modern Geology, whose work, among other things, created the basis of the theory of Uniformitarianism?

From Quiz Physical Geology

Answer: James Hutton

Uniformitarianism is the theory that the Earth's processes are unchanging over time and progressing at very slow rates. So basically, according to this theory, the natural processes that shaped our Earth millions of years ago are the same as the natural processes that are still shaping our Earth today.

20. Turquoise was mentioned in the introduction. Its characteristic blue or green color comes from the combination of a metallic element with aluminum and oxygen. What is this metallic element?

From Quiz Elementary Minerals

Answer: copper

Fabulous turquoise jewelry has been crafted by the Dine' (Navajo), Zuni, and other Native American groups. Before the current groups of Native Americans living in the Southwest, the Hohokam (disappeared in the fourteenth century) of the Tucson Basin produced ornaments with turquoise mosaic on shells.

21. A prominent form of limestone weathering is the dissolution of limestone by acids. What is the acid primarily responsible for this?

From Quiz The Limestone Landscape

Answer: Carbonic acid

Carbonic acid is a very weak acid which forms when rain water reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is, however, strong enough to dissolve limestone to form calcium bicarbonate, a cause of "hard water".

22. Crystals are usually recognized by their natural flat surfaces called _______.

From Quiz Clearly Crystals

Answer: faces

Faceting is the process of cutting a gem stone to reveal the full beauty of transparent minerals.

23. What causes the red color in the mineral corundum?

From Quiz Interesting Mineral Facts

Answer: metal oxides

Pure corundum is clear in color. The gem colors of corundum are a result of minor metal oxide impurities; ruby is colored by chromium oxide.

24. Which native element, noted for its high specific gravity and metallic luster, is noted for its yellow color?

From Quiz Rocks and Minerals

Answer: Gold

Gold is found in a variety of different forms, including nuggets, leaves, and even crystals.

25. What type of rock is sandstone?

From Quiz Classes of Rock

Answer: Sedimentary

Sandstone is a type of sedimentary rock made from accumulated particles of sand.

26. A mixture formed naturally in the Earth is known as?

From Quiz Rocks and Minerals

Answer: rock

A rock is a mixture of minerals.

27. Caused when water seeps into cracks, freezes, widens crack, more water gets in, etc. Typically a daily cycle, though may be seasonal.

From Quiz Geology 101: Weathering

Answer: Frost wedging

28. This layer is made up of 50 percent organic material and 50 percent mineral.

From Quiz Geology 101: Soil Horizons

Answer: A

This is the first layer in the zone of leaching.

29. Steepness of the stream channel. Measured as the vertical drop per unit of horizontal distance.

From Quiz Geology 101: Streams

Answer: Stream gradient

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Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:49 AM
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