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Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Answer (Key Terms)

Question 2

What are the main drivers of the Earth’s magnetic field? Where did we find evidence on the properties and processes of this dynamic zone?

Answer 2

Geodynamo, Thermal convection, Crystallization, MHD, Earth’s rotation, Chemical differentiation, Seismology, Meteorite studies, Numerical modeling, Diamond anvil

Question 3

Which types of variability can Earth’s magnetic field have, and what is the origin of this variability?

Answer 3

Polarity reversals, Secular variation, Crustal anomalies, Solar wind, Chaotic convection

Question 4

List all possible corrections in measuring Earth’s gravity field and explain why they are necessary.

Answer 4

Instrumental drift, Earth tides, Latitude, Free-air correction, Bouguer correction, Topographic correction

Question 5

Compare the gravimetric fields of Earth, Moon, and Venus and explain the differences.

Answer 5

Tectonics, Convection, Geoid, Mascons, No core convection, Stagnant lid, Weak convection, No geodynamo

Question 6

List and discuss the main steps that led to the theory of plate tectonics.

Answer 6

Mountain belts, Continental drift, Mantle convection, Seafloor spreading, Paleomagnetism, Magnetic stripes, Plate boundaries

Question 7

Which role did magnetism play in the discovery of plate tectonics?

Answer 7

Paleomagnetism, Seafloor magnetism, Magnetic anomalies, Chronostratigraphy

Question 8

How is the oceanic crust generated and why does it have different compositions? Where did we find the evidence?

Answer 8

Mid-ocean ridges, Decompression melting, MORB, Pillow lavas, Sheeted dikes, Gabbro, Peridotite, Submersibles, Seismic profiles

Question 9

Why is the Pacific Ocean spreading faster than the Atlantic? What geological features indicate this?

Answer 9

Slab pull, Mantle upwelling, HOT model, LOT model, Crustal thickness, Rift valleys

Question 10

What are the roles of the crust/mantle and lithosphere/asthenosphere in plate tectonics?

Answer 10

MOHO, Peridotite, Basalt, Granite, Thermal boundary, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere

Question 11

Describe the main evolution of a lithospheric plate from creation to its final destination.

Answer 11

Mid-ocean ridge, Cooling, Thickening, Subduction initiation, Olivine, Spinel, Perovskite, Mantle flow

Question 12

Describe the discovery, formation, and importance of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides (VMS).

Answer 12

Hydrothermal convection, Divergent boundaries, Metal precipitation, Black smokers, Chemosynthesis

Question 13

What does the model predict about oceanic heat flow and how does measured data differ?

Answer 13

Conduction, Convection, Hydrothermal circulation, Heat flow drop, Black smokers

Question 14

What is the difference (and/or correspondences) between plate boundaries and ocean margins?

Answer 14

Plate boundary, Ocean margin, Active, Passive, Tectonic, Crustal

Question 15

In which way is the concept of continental/ocean margins important for the definition of an EEZ?

Answer 15

EEZ, Continental shelf, Foot of slope, UNCLOS

Question 16

What is the typical structure of a passive margin? Describe the responsible processes and mechanisms.

Answer 16

Pre-rift, Syn-rift, Post-rift, Normal faults, Sedimentary basins, No tectonics

Question 17

What are the typical structures of active margins? Describe the responsible processes and mechanisms.

Answer 17

Forced subduction, Spontaneous subduction, Volcanic arcs, Accretionary wedge, Tectonic erosion, High seismicity

Question 18

What are the causes of slope instability on continental margins? What warning signs indicate high risk?

Answer 18

Sedimentation, Pore pressure, Gas hydrates, Creeping, Pockmarks, Seismic anomalies

Question 19

Describe the three main types of oceanic sedimentation, their characteristics, and responsible processes.

Answer 19

Terrigenic, Biogenic, Anoxic, Plankton, Black shales

Question 20

Which features indicate hydrocarbon seepage, and how can they be detected?

Answer 20

Blowout pipes, Pockmarks, Gas hydrates, Bacterial mats, Seismic indicators

Question 21

What patterns can be inferred from the post-rift sediment thickness map and why?

Answer 21

Open ocean, River mouths, Equator, Biogenic, Remobilized

Question 22

Describe the existing earthquake magnitude scales and explain why Richter is not sufficient for all earthquakes.

Answer 22

Mercalli, EMS, Richter, Moment magnitude, Energy release, Fault area

Question 23

Which aspects determine and influence the resolution of reflection seismic profiling?

Answer 23

Vertical resolution, Horizontal resolution, Pulse length, Fresnel zone, Frequency, Attenuation

Question 24

Explain the principle of spherical divergence and its role in seismic profiling.

Answer 24

Spherical wavefront, Energy loss, Amplitude decay, Gain correction

Question 25

What is the bubble pulse in marine seismics, when does it occur, and how can it be prevented?

Answer 25

Airgun oscillation, Pulse elongation, Destructive interference, Airgun array

Question 26

What is the difference between single channel and multichannel reflection seismic profiling?

Answer 26

Single-channel, Multichannel, CMP stacking, Resolution, Cost

Question 27

What is parametric echosounding and why is it more efficient than conventional echosounding?

Answer 27

Nonlinear interaction, High frequency, Low frequency, Narrow beam, Deep penetration

Question 28

List towed seismic sources, discuss their operation, advantages, and ideal use cases.

Answer 28

Pinger, CHIRP, Boomer, Sparker, Airgun, Watergun

Question 29

What are the advantages of 3D seismics over 2D, and how are they achieved?

Answer 29

3D cube, CMP binning, Time slices, Horizon slices, Resolution

Question 30

List a standard seismic processing flow, the artefacts it corrects, and how.

Answer 30

Gain correction, Trace editing, Static correction, NMO correction, Stacking, Deconvolution, Migration

Question 31

Compare gravity core, piston core, and vibrocore in terms of operation and best application.

Answer 31

Gravity core, Piston core, Vibrocore, Penetration depth, Sediment type

Question 32

What factors affect the accurate position of a core sample, and how can positioning be improved?

Answer 32

GPS errors, Cable offset, USBL, RTK-GPS, Gyroscope, Dynamic positioning

Question 33

Which artefacts may occur in coring sedimentary sequences, why, and how can they be detected or prevented?

Answer 33

Undersampling, Oversampling, Flow-in, Slack cable, CT scanning

Question 34

What is the principle behind directional drilling, how does it work, and when is it used?

Answer 34

Steering tools, Horizontal wells, MWD, Environmental access

Question 35

What is the difference between a riser vessel and a non-riser drilling vessel?

Answer 35

Riser, Non-riser, Mud, Seawater, Cuttings return, Pressure control

Question 36

What are the different functions of drilling mud in drilling operations?

Answer 36

Cuttings removal, Pressure control, Wellbore stability, Cooling, Sealing, Cementing