IESO Question Papers

8/22/2019 IESO Question Papers

1/269

IESO 2007


2/269

Appendix 2: Written & Practical Test Items and Written Test Results

Written Test

st IESO Written Test

Earth Science7-15 October 2007

Daegu, Korea

Earth for Life,Universe for future Life

Thou dawnest beautifully in the horizon of the sky

O living Aton who wast the Beginning of life!Akhenaton (1386-1358 B.C.)"Hymn to the Sun"

In nature's infinite book of secrecy

A little I can read.William Shakespeare (1564-1616)Antony and Cleopatra, Act I, ii:11


3/269

Instructions to candidates:

Please write your name and nationality in English in the space provided. Please write your answers legibly. Illegible answers will not be graded. Please keep your answers short and to the key points. Please write your answers on the question paper provided in English. There is no separate answer book.

You may respond to questions either in English, your native language, or a combination of both.

Read the entire question group carefully before starting to answer. Each question has a point value assigned,

for example, [15 pts] & (5 pts).

For multiple choice type questions, there will be negative point values for incorrect responses; however,each of such questions will have a lowest point value of zero. Wherever a word limit is set, the Jury will take

into consideration only that number of words that the students are asked to provide.

For some questions, you would be asked to provide your answers on charts / diagrams. Please do so

carefully. If you are found indulging in any form of malpractice, your participation would be treated as cancelled.

NAME: NATIONALITY:

I.Granite has light color because it has white or colorless transparent minerals. [15 pts]

1) Name a colorless transparent mineral in granite. (2 pts)

2) Which of the following is/are possible economic values of granite? Circle one or more than oneoption. (2 pts)

A. petroleum B. diamondC. fertilizer D. cementE. construction materials

3) When granite is metamorphosed, which rock is produced? (2 pts)

4) Give three physical/chemical factors of metamorphism. (6 pts)


4/269

5) Which of the following is/are associated with the formation of granite. Circle one or more thanone option. (3 pts)

A. faulting B. volcanic eruption

C. intrusion of magma D. relatively deep in the crustE. slow cooling of magma

II. The following diagram shows the variations in the length of day during the Phanerozoic based ondata gathered from corals, stromatolites, bivalves and other invertebrates. The dashed line shows thegradual decrease in the number of days in a year with time; this corresponds to 2 milliseconds percentury. [15 pts]

1) Suppose the earth's orbit remains constant, what was the length of a day 65 million years ago and300 million years ago based on the above graph? Calculate in terms of the number of hours per day.Answer to nearest th of hour, i.e. 00.0 (The length of a day is presently 24 hours). (8 pts)

2) What is the driving force that causes a decrease in the number of days per year during this time? (3pts)


5/269

3) How many years from now will a day be 25 hours long? Show your calculations. (4 pts)

III.Answer the following questions based on the Hawaiian islands map. Numbers printed near thenames of islands / seamounts represent ages of rocks (in million years before present). [10 pts]


6/269

Figure. Hawaiian Islands - Emperor Seamount chain.

1) How did this chain of islands form? Circle one option. (1 pt)

A. subduction zone B. mid-ocean ridge C. hot spotD. meteorite impact E. transform fault

2) What is the average speed (cm/yr) of plate movement? Show your calculations. (5 pts)

3) With two arrows, draw the direction of plate movement during the last 60 million years on the map.(4 pts)


7/269

IV.Following is a surface weather map on 5 May 2007. Answer the following questions based on themap. [15 pts]


8/269

1) With shaded pattern, mark two areas where precipitation(rainfall or snowfall) is expected. (8 pts)

2) Circle all correct statement(s) from the following items. (7 pts)

A. Wind above the 1 km elevation generally blows in the directions parallel to the pressure contourlines.

B. It rains as a warm front is approaching.C. Behind the cold and warm fronts, the northwest and southeast winds will blow, respectively.D. The fronts are expected to move toward the north.E. The speed of the front is nearly the same as the wind speed just behind the cold front.

V. The following schematic figure illustrates the process of precipitation when unsaturated air passesover the mountain. The altitude of location A is 500m, the air temperature at A is 26.2C, and thelevel of condensation of the upward moving air is 1200m above sea level. The adiabatic lapserates of the dry and moist air are 10 C/km and 6.5 C/km, respectively. Assume that the air flow,above B in lee (down-wind) side, does not go below 500m. Thick arrows indicate the air flow. [15pts]


9/269

Before the air flow passes over the mountain, the environmental air temperature at each elevation isshown by the green line below.

1) Using the information above, what will be the temperature of air when it reaches 1.2 km altitude?

Show your calculations. (5 pts)

2) What will the temperature be when the air reaches the top of the mountain at 2 km altitude? Show

your calculations. (5 pts)

3) Draw the line showing temperature variation with altitude, as the air descends the lee-side (down-

wind side). (5 pts)


10/269

VI. On a clear day and night, a person in the northern hemisphere wants to observe celestial objects inthe southern sky. Answer the questions using the figure and the data below. [10 pts]

1. Canopus: Right Ascension (R.A.) = 06 24m,

Declination (Dec.) = -52.7(2000.0)2. Vernal Equinox: March 21st.

Autumn Equinox: September 23rd.

3. The Sun's meridian transit occurs at 12 noon.


11/269

1) Mark the Sun's location on March 21st in the above figure. (2 pts)

2) What is the observer's latitude if he/she saw Canopus in 3 highest altitude above the horizonduring the whole year, at the time of meridian transit. Show your calculations. (4 pts)

3) If someone wants to observe Canopus at the time of its meridian transit at 9 pm, which is the bestday, i.e., month and day? Show your calculations. (4 pts)

VII.Figure 1 shows the four positions of the Earth orbiting around the Sun, whereas Fig. 2 displaysthe path of the Sun projected on the celestial hemisphere. [10 pts]


12/269

Fig. 1. The Earth around the Sun

Fig. 2. The path of the Sun projected on the celestial hemisphere.

1) Briefly describe the changes of the Sun's altitude at noon observed by a person at 40 northlatitude when the Earth is at positions A, B, C, and D. (4 pts)


13/269

2) Identify and circle below the position of the Earth from Fig. 1 when the sun follows path (1) from

Fig. 2. (2 pts)

Path (1): position A, position B, position C, position D

3) Identify and circle below the position of the Earth from Fig. 1 when the sun follows path (2) fromFig. 2. (2 pts)

Path (2): position A, position B, position C, position D

4) Which position in Fig. 1 would receive the minimum insolation at 50N latitude? Circle oneoption below. Briefly describe how this would affect the local ecosystem productivity. Note:Insolation is the solar energy received per m2of flat ground. (2 pts)

Position A, position B, position C, position D

VIII. We are interested in the effect of global warming on changes in sea surface temperature (SST).Given below is a map of the world oceans (deeper blue colour indicating deeper waters and

lighter blue, shallower waters). Four stations are marked as A, B, C, and D. [10 pts]

1) Figures (a) and (b) below show time-series of SST at two locations in the ocean. Calculate the rate

of SST change (in C/year) for figures (a) and (b). (2 pts)


14/269

Ans: (a): (b):

2) The oceanographer has lost the location data for figures (a) and (b)! Your job is to determine whichdata set (Figure (a) or (b)) goes with which location (A or B in the ocean map). Please give tworeasons for your choice. (5 pts)

Ans: Figure (a) corresponds to location _____. (Choose location A or B). (3 pts)

Reasons (2 pts):

3) The rates of SST change at locations C and D are about +0.0011oC/year and +0.0066

oC/year

respectively. These rates are much lower than those at locations A and B in the northernhemisphere. Discuss the possible causes of the distinctly different rates between the northern andsouthern hemispheres. (3 pts)


15/269

Practical Test

PRACTICAL TESTQUESTIONS

October 10, 2007Inter-Burgo Hotel, Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea

Name: _________________________ Nation: _____________________________

Geology

A map provided in a separate sheet is a simplified geologic map showing geologic

boundaries, strike and dip. Topographic contours are shown as dotted lines with elevations in

meters.

The letters in parentheses represent different rock types:


16/269

(P) Precambrian gneiss,

(Q) Cambrian conglomerate,

(R) Cambrian sandstone,

(S) Ordovician limestone,

(T) Jurassic sandstone, and(U) Cretaceous granite.

Please note that pebbles of rock type (P) are found at the base of rock type (Q).

Answer the following questions:

1) Draw a geologic cross-section along the line A-A. The horizontal and vertical scales are

the same. (40 points).

2) Please match the rock types given as letter in parentheses in the geologic map with the

rock specimens provided. (30 points)

Rock type of the geologic map Rock type of specimens

(P)

(Q)

(R)

(S)

(U)

3) What do we call the boundary between the rock type (P) and (Q)?(10 points)

4) What do we call the geologic process that results in the formation of rock type (U) in the

geologic map? (10 points)

5) Using a polarizing microscope, identify thin sections A and B from the following choices.

(10 points)

Gneiss

Basalt

Limestone

Sandstone

Thin section A:


17/269

Thin section B:


18/269


19/269

Atmospheric Science


20/269

Observed meteorological fields of pressure (hPa), wind, and temperature (K) are presented

below. On the pressure map contour lines for 1020hPa and 1016hPa are drawn. [total 100

points]

1) Draw contour lines for 1004hPa, 1008hPa and 1012hPa on the pressure map, and put thesymbols H and L on the centers of high and low pressure regions, respectively.[50 points]

2) Draw cold and warm fronts on the wind field map, taking the wind vectors into

consideration. [35 points]

3) Which region is expected to have the largest temperature increase ? Choose one among A,

B, C, D, and E in the temperature map. [15 points]

Guidance for drawing contour lines on pressure map: The observed meteorological

pressure values are given on the grid points which have constant spatial interval both in

longitude and latitude. You therefore need to linearly interpolate the grid point values to

draw a contour line of specific value.


21/269


22/269


23/269

AstronomyFigure 1 shows a typical reflector, and Figure 2, a refractor. Tables 1 and 2 are basicspecifications of two small telescopes and a CCD camera, which are commonly used in

astronomical observations.


24/269

Figure 1. Reflector Figure 2. Refractor

Table 1. Basic specifications of the reflector (Figure 1) and the refractor (Figure 2).

Specifications Reflecting Telescope Refracting Telescope

Optical System Newtonian Achromatic Multi-coated lens

Aperture 200 mm 125 mm

Focal Length 900 mm 1200 mm

Mount German Equatorial German Equatorial

Table 2. Specifications of the CCD camera.Array (pixels) 10241024

Pixel size (m) 24

Digital resolution 16-bit

Dark current 1e/pixel/sec at -20

Dynamic range 86 db

Referring to the tables and figures above, answer the following questions.


25/269

1) Fill in each blank with the most appropriate letter from (A) to (L), which indicates each

part of the telescopes (24 points).

Reflector Refractor

Finder Scope

Balance Weight

Optical Tube

Eye piece

Objective Lens/Mirror

Polar Axis

2) Calculate the focal ratios (f-ratios or f-numbers) of the two telescopes. Show your

calculations. (26 points).

3) What is the ratio of the light-gathering power of the two telescopes? Show your

calculations. (20 points)

4) What is the ratio of the theoretical resolving power of the two telescopes? Show your

calculations. (10 points).

5) If you take an image of the Moon at the primary focus of the reflector, calculate the

diameter of the Moons image. Do the same calculation for the refractor. (Note: Assume that

the angular diameter of the Moon is 0.5.) (20 points).


26/269


27/269

Written Test Results exampleStudent No. I A I B II A II B III A III B

1 10 10 9 8 10 10

2 11 11 4 4 1 1

3 13 13 15 15 8 8

4 15 15 13 13 8 8

5 9 9 0 0 3 3

6 12 12 15 15 8 8

7 9 9 9 8 4 4

8 15 15 15 15 10 10

9 7 7 0 0 2 2

10 14 14 10 9 8 8

11 14 14 12 12 6 6

12 11 11 0 0 4 4

13 9 9 8 8 8 8

14 15 15 15 15 10 10

15 9 9 9 9 10 10

16 7 7 0 0 2 2

17 10 10 8 8 5 5

18 15 15 15 15 10 10

19 11 11 0 0 1 1

20 8 8 8 8 3 3

21 15 15 15 15 8 8

22 12 12 12 12 8 8

23 13 13 15 15 10 10

24 13 13 15 15 5 5

Student No. IV A IV B V A V B VI A VI B


28/269

1 3.5 3.5 10 10 6 6

2 0 0 0 0 2 2

3 11.5 11.5 15 15 9.5 9.5

4 8 8 0 0 7 7

5 0 0 5 5 0 0

6 11.5 11.5 15 15 9.5 9.5

7 3.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 2 2

8 11.5 11.5 15 15 6 6

9 4 4 0 0 0 0

10 8 8 7.5 7.5 0 0

11 8 8 15 15 6.5 6.5

12 11.5 11.5 0 0 0 0

13 8 8 0 0 0 0

14 11.5 11.5 15 15 10 10

15 8 8 0 0 0 0

16 7 7 0 0 0 0

17 0 0 0 0 2 2

18 11.5 11.5 15 15 10 10

19 0 0 0 0 0 0

20 8 8 0 0 2 2

21 11.5 11.5 10 10 10 10

22 8 8 5 5 0 0

23 11.5 11.5 15 15 10 10

24 8 8 15 15 2 2


29/269

IESO 2008


30/269

IESO 2008 Written Test 1

1. Label each contour line in the topographic map below with the correct elevation using a

contour interval of 50 meters. (6 pts)

Answer questions 2-4 in the table below. Based on the features of rocks described in the right

column of the table, answer the questions in the left column.

Questions Features

2. By which process was the rock

formed?(5 pts)

Ans:

Sizes of crystals from 1 to 5 mm; less than

10 % of dark minerals; mainly composed of

quartz, feldspar, and muscovite.

3. By which type of metamorphism was

the rock formed? (5 pts)

Ans: Grains larger than 1 mm; alternating layers of

light and dark minerals; light minerals areplagioclase, feldspar, and quartz, and dark

minerals are biotite and hornblende.

4. Name the specific rock. (5 pts)

Ans:

Individual grains are too small to be

identified without magnification; composed

predominantly of Ca-rich plagioclase and

pyroxene with small amounts of olivine;

black, dense and massive.


31/269


5.Describe three different ways in which minerals are formed. (9 pts)

6. The following figure and table show a vertical profile of air temperature and dew point

measured by radiosonde. The air parcel is lifted mechanically from the ground and a

cloud forms.

When unsaturated air rises adiabatically, the temperature of air parcel decreases at a rate

of 10 C/km and the dew point of air parcel decreases at a rate of 2 C/km. Assume that

the saturated lapse rate is 6 C/km. During the rising process, there is no exchange of heat

between the air parcel and the environment.

Height

(km)

Temperature

(C)

Dew

point

(C)

0 34 18

1.5 22 11

3 10 2

5.5 -10 -22

7 -22 -30

9 -38 -50

10.5 -50 -55

Answer the following questions (12 pts in total).

a) Before the air parcel begins to rise, is it saturated or unsaturated? (2 pts)


32/269


b) Calculate the height of cloud base. (3 pts)

c) Calculate the height where the air parcel starts to rise on its own. (3 pts)

d) Is the air parcel in question c) stable or unstable? (1 pt)

e) Calculate the dew point of the rising air parcel at 5 km (3 pts)?

7. Which of the following processes ABSORBS the greatest amount of latent heat?

Circle the letter of the correct answer. (2 pts)

a.Freezing

b.Evaporation

c.Condensation

d.Melting

8. Which of the following statements is FALSE? Circle the letter of the correct answer.

(2 pts).

a.Salt particles make good condensation nuclei.

b.The vapor pressure is higher over water than over ice.

c.The typical raindrop is about 2 millimeters in diameter.d.Cloud droplets freeze once the temperature drops below 0

oC.

9. Where are many of the worlds desert regions located? Circle the letter of the correct

answer. (2 pts)

a.On the east coast of most continents

b.Just north or south of the equator

c. In the west coast regions along the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer

d.At 60oNorth and 60o South


33/269


10. Which of the following reasons explains why ice crystals develop much faster than

liquid water drops in the upper and middle levels of thunderstorms? Circle the letter of

the correct answer (2 pts)

a.Electrical currents within thunderstorm allow the building of water vapor on icecrystals more rapidly than on liquid water drops.

b.When temperatures drop below freezing, condensation of water vapor into liquid

water does not take place. The water vapor can, however, build on ice crystals due

to deposition.

c. It is because the vapor pressure of ice is less than that over water. This produces a

vapor pressure gradient between liquid and frozen water that causes water vapor to

move from liquid water drops towards ice crystals.

d.This is due to the turbulent motion of the air. Condensation rates in liquid water slow

with increasing wind speed.

11. Which combination of conditions characterizes the Coriolis effect on moving particles?Circle the letter of the correct answer (2 pts)

a.zero effect along the equator, increasing effect away from the equator

b.highest effect along the equator, decreasing effect away from the equator

c. latitudinal position has no influence on Coriolis effect

12. Name three major factors that cause cloud dispersal. (3 pts)


34/269


13. The following figure shows satellite-observed near-sea surface wind vectors over a cloud

image in the Northwest Pacific Ocean during a typhoon as shown in Figure (a). The

colors of the arrows show the magnitude of wind field from 2 to 20 m/s. Instruments

called ARGO floats, shown in Figure (b), automatically measure vertical profiles of

temperature and salinity at the stations A, B, and C. The large black arrow stands for thedirection of the typhoons movement. [7 pts in total]

orea

Taiwan

(a) At which location is the wind stronger? A or B? [1 pt]

(b) Explain your answer for question (a). [ 2 pts]


35/269


(c) If the following profile shows the temperature at Station C near the typhoon center, draw

a new temperature profile once the typhoon passes Station C. [ 2 pts]

(d) Describe a process that is responsible for your answer in question (c). [ 2 pts]


36/269


14. The following figure shows oceanic topography. An earthquake occurs at Station B

(15.25oN, 140oE) at 1:50 A.M. Estimate the arrival time of the tsunami at Station A

(15.25oN, 122oE). [3 pts in total]

To avoid difficulty in the calculation, the bathymetry between stations A and B is

shown by red dashed lines in the second figure. (sin15.25=0.26, cos15.25=0.96,gravitational acceleration g 10 m/s

2, the earth radius R = 6400 km). Assume Station A

and Station B are in the same time zone.

A B

Real Bathymetry

Averaged Bathymetry

A

B


37/269


15.

A recent partial lunar eclipse was observed during the night of August 16th, 2008. Thecomposite images were recorded during the eclipse from Athens, Greece, showing a

large part of the umbra (dark part of the earth's shadow). An angular diameter of the

lunar image is 31. You may need a ruler, a compass, and a calculator to answer the

questions below. (5 pts in total)

a) Using this picture, calculate an approximate angular diameter of the umbra. Show

how you obtained your answer by drawing on the figure above.(2 pts)

b) Using the sidereal period of the Moon (about 27.5 days) and the distance between theEarth and the Moon (about 380,000 km), calculate the approximate duration time of

this lunar eclipse. (3 pts)


38/269


16. An icy body in an elliptical orbit around the sun is observed from Earth. At perihelion it

has a distance to the sun of 40 AU, an albedo of 0.6 and a magnitude of 20. At aphelion

it has a distance to the sun of 60 AU and an albedo of 0.7. What magnitude do you

expect the icy body to have at aphelion? Draw a diagram and show all calculations.

(4 pts)

17.Sean is in Manila and driving his car to the north at noon. He has trouble seeing the car

moving in front of him because the sun's rays are reflected from the back window glass

and the glare is in his eyes. The back window glass of the car A forms an angle with the

ground of 52 18as shown in the picture below. The arrow AB is parallel to the ground. .(6 pts in total)


39/269


a) In this situation, what is the altitude of the sun? (2 pts)

b) The latitude of Manila is 14 36N. What is the declination of the sun on this date.(2 pts)

c) Estimate the dates when this situation occurs. (2 pts)


40/269


18. The Orionid meteor shower radiant can be found in RA 6h 20m and Dec +16 as

indicated in the map below: (5 pts in total)

a) If the sun is at RA 13h45m and Dec -10 45', at what time will the radiant transit?

Assume that both the equation of time and the standard correction due to latitude are

equal to zero. (3 pts)

b) At what latitude should an observer be for the radiant to pass exactly at his/her zenith?

(2 pts)


41/269


Questions 19-21 are a set of questions. Consider a hypothetical earth that has the same

volume and mass as our real earth, but has a spherical shape with an interior made of

homogeneous material.

19. Which of the following statements about the estimated gravity and the radius at the polesof the two earths is correct ? (2 pts)

a.The gravity and radius are larger on the real earth.

b.The gravity and radius are larger on the hypothetical earth.

c.The gravity is larger on the real earth, and the radius is larger on the hypothetical

earth.

d.The gravity is smaller on the real earth, and the radius is larger on the hypothetical

earth.

e.The gravity is larger on the real earth, and the radius is smaller on the hypothetical

earth.

20. Which of the following statements about the densities of surface rocks of the two earths is

correct ? (2 pts)

a.Surface rocks of the real earth have the larger density.

b.Surface rocks of the real earth have the smaller density.

c.Surface rocks of the real earth have the same density as that of the hypothetical

earth.

21. Sketch the directions of gravity and magnetic fields at the northern pole and equator of

the real earth. (3 pts)

22. The figure below is the vertical component of waveform recorded at one seismic station.

The arrival times of several waves are indicated by arrows. (6 pts in total)

X Y Z


42/269


(a)Which letter above most likely respresents the S wave, X, Y or Z? (1 pt)

(b)According to the Z onset time and the later waveform, which graph represents the

relationship between the period and velocity? (2 pts)

(c)List three different possible causes of earthquakes. (3 pts)


43/269


23. Using your knowledge of plate tectonic theory and the map below, briefly describe the

movement of tectonic plates that may have caused the Sichuan earthquake in China on

May 12, 2008. (The white star indicates the epicenter and arrows show the direction and

relative speed of ground movement) (2 pts)


44/269


1. Label each contour line in the topographic map below with the correct elevation using a

contour interval of 50 meters. (6 pts)

Answer questions 2-4 in the table below. Based on the features of rocks described in the right

column of the table, answer the questions in the left column.

Questions Features

2. By which process was the rock

formed?(5 pts)

Ans:

Sizes of crystals from 1 to 5 mm; less than

10 % of dark minerals; mainly composed of

quartz, feldspar, and muscovite.

3. By which type of metamorphism was

the rock formed? (5 pts)

Ans: Grains larger than 1 mm; alternating layers of

light and dark minerals; light minerals areplagioclase, feldspar, and quartz, and dark

minerals are biotite and hornblende.

4. Name the specific rock. (5 pts)

Ans:

Individual grains are too small to be

identified without magnification; composed

predominantly of Ca-rich plagioclase and

pyroxene with small amounts of olivine;

black, dense and massive.


45/269


5.Describe three different ways in which minerals are formed. (9 pts)

6. The following figure and table show a vertical profile of air temperature and dew point

measured by radiosonde. The air parcel is lifted mechanically from the ground and a

cloud forms.

When unsaturated air rises adiabatically, the temperature of air parcel decreases at a rate

of 10 C/km and the dew point of air parcel decreases at a rate of 2 C/km. Assume that

the saturated lapse rate is 6 C/km. During the rising process, there is no exchange of heat

between the air parcel and the environment.

Height

(km)

Temperature

(C)

Dew

point

(C)

0 34 18

1.5 22 11

3 10 2

5.5 -10 -22

7 -22 -30

9 -38 -50

10.5 -50 -55

Answer the following questions (12 pts in total).

a) Before the air parcel begins to rise, is it saturated or unsaturated? (2 pts)


46/269


b) Calculate the height of cloud base. (3 pts)

c) Calculate the height where the air parcel starts to rise on its own. (3 pts)

d) Is the air parcel in question c) stable or unstable? (1 pt)

e) Calculate the dew point of the rising air parcel at 5 km (3 pts)?

7. Which of the following processes ABSORBS the greatest amount of latent heat?

Circle the letter of the correct answer. (2 pts)

a.Freezing

b.Evaporation

c.Condensation

d.Melting

8. Which of the following statements is FALSE? Circle the letter of the correct answer.

(2 pts).

a.Salt particles make good condensation nuclei.

b.The vapor pressure is higher over water than over ice.

c.The typical raindrop is about 2 millimeters in diameter.d.Cloud droplets freeze once the temperature drops below 0

oC.

9. Where are many of the worlds desert regions located? Circle the letter of the correct

answer. (2 pts)

a.On the east coast of most continents

b.Just north or south of the equator

c. In the west coast regions along the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer

d.At 60oNorth and 60o South


47/269


10. Which of the following reasons explains why ice crystals develop much faster than

liquid water drops in the upper and middle levels of thunderstorms? Circle the letter of

the correct answer (2 pts)

a.Electrical currents within thunderstorm allow the building of water vapor on icecrystals more rapidly than on liquid water drops.

b.When temperatures drop below freezing, condensation of water vapor into liquid

water does not take place. The water vapor can, however, build on ice crystals due

to deposition.

c. It is because the vapor pressure of ice is less than that over water. This produces a

vapor pressure gradient between liquid and frozen water that causes water vapor to

move from liquid water drops towards ice crystals.

d.This is due to the turbulent motion of the air. Condensation rates in liquid water slow

with increasing wind speed.

11. Which combination of conditions characterizes the Coriolis effect on moving particles?Circle the letter of the correct answer (2 pts)

a.zero effect along the equator, increasing effect away from the equator

b.highest effect along the equator, decreasing effect away from the equator

c. latitudinal position has no influence on Coriolis effect

12. Name three major factors that cause cloud dispersal. (3 pts)


48/269


13. The following figure shows satellite-observed near-sea surface wind vectors over a cloud

image in the Northwest Pacific Ocean during a typhoon as shown in Figure (a). The

colors of the arrows show the magnitude of wind field from 2 to 20 m/s. Instruments

called ARGO floats, shown in Figure (b), automatically measure vertical profiles of

temperature and salinity at the stations A, B, and C. The large black arrow stands for thedirection of the typhoons movement. [7 pts in total]

orea

Taiwan

(a) At which location is the wind stronger? A or B? [1 pt]

(b) Explain your answer for question (a). [ 2 pts]


49/269


(c) If the following profile shows the temperature at Station C near the typhoon center, draw

a new temperature profile once the typhoon passes Station C. [ 2 pts]

(d) Describe a process that is responsible for your answer in question (c). [ 2 pts]


50/269


14. The following figure shows oceanic topography. An earthquake occurs at Station B

(15.25oN, 140oE) at 1:50 A.M. Estimate the arrival time of the tsunami at Station A

(15.25oN, 122oE). [3 pts in total]

To avoid difficulty in the calculation, the bathymetry between stations A and B is

shown by red dashed lines in the second figure. (sin15.25=0.26, cos15.25=0.96,gravitational acceleration g 10 m/s

2, the earth radius R = 6400 km). Assume Station A

and Station B are in the same time zone.

A B

Real Bathymetry

Averaged Bathymetry

A

B


51/269


15.

A recent partial lunar eclipse was observed during the night of August 16th, 2008. Thecomposite images were recorded during the eclipse from Athens, Greece, showing a

large part of the umbra (dark part of the earth's shadow). An angular diameter of the

lunar image is 31. You may need a ruler, a compass, and a calculator to answer the

questions below. (5 pts in total)

a) Using this picture, calculate an approximate angular diameter of the umbra. Show

how you obtained your answer by drawing on the figure above.(2 pts)

b) Using the sidereal period of the Moon (about 27.5 days) and the distance between theEarth and the Moon (about 380,000 km), calculate the approximate duration time of

this lunar eclipse. (3 pts)


52/269


16. An icy body in an elliptical orbit around the sun is observed from Earth. At perihelion it

has a distance to the sun of 40 AU, an albedo of 0.6 and a magnitude of 20. At aphelion

it has a distance to the sun of 60 AU and an albedo of 0.7. What magnitude do you

expect the icy body to have at aphelion? Draw a diagram and show all calculations.

(4 pts)

17.Sean is in Manila and driving his car to the north at noon. He has trouble seeing the car

moving in front of him because the sun's rays are reflected from the back window glass

and the glare is in his eyes. The back window glass of the car A forms an angle with the

ground of 52 18as shown in the picture below. The arrow AB is parallel to the ground. .(6 pts in total)


53/269


a) In this situation, what is the altitude of the sun? (2 pts)

b) The latitude of Manila is 14 36N. What is the declination of the sun on this date.(2 pts)

c) Estimate the dates when this situation occurs. (2 pts)


54/269


18. The Orionid meteor shower radiant can be found in RA 6h 20m and Dec +16 as

indicated in the map below: (5 pts in total)

a) If the sun is at RA 13h45m and Dec -10 45', at what time will the radiant transit?

Assume that both the equation of time and the standard correction due to latitude are

equal to zero. (3 pts)

b) At what latitude should an observer be for the radiant to pass exactly at his/her zenith?

(2 pts)


55/269


Questions 19-21 are a set of questions. Consider a hypothetical earth that has the same

volume and mass as our real earth, but has a spherical shape with an interior made of

homogeneous material.

19. Which of the following statements about the estimated gravity and the radius at the polesof the two earths is correct ? (2 pts)

a.The gravity and radius are larger on the real earth.

b.The gravity and radius are larger on the hypothetical earth.

c.The gravity is larger on the real earth, and the radius is larger on the hypothetical

earth.

d.The gravity is smaller on the real earth, and the radius is larger on the hypothetical

earth.

e.The gravity is larger on the real earth, and the radius is smaller on the hypothetical

earth.

20. Which of the following statements about the densities of surface rocks of the two earths is

correct ? (2 pts)

a.Surface rocks of the real earth have the larger density.

b.Surface rocks of the real earth have the smaller density.

c.Surface rocks of the real earth have the same density as that of the hypothetical

earth.

21. Sketch the directions of gravity and magnetic fields at the northern pole and equator of

the real earth. (3 pts)

22. The figure below is the vertical component of waveform recorded at one seismic station.

The arrival times of several waves are indicated by arrows. (6 pts in total)

X Y Z


56/269


(a)Which letter above most likely respresents the S wave, X, Y or Z? (1 pt)

(b)According to the Z onset time and the later waveform, which graph represents the

relationship between the period and velocity? (2 pts)

(c)List three different possible causes of earthquakes. (3 pts)


57/269


23. Using your knowledge of plate tectonic theory and the map below, briefly describe the

movement of tectonic plates that may have caused the Sichuan earthquake in China on

May 12, 2008. (The white star indicates the epicenter and arrows show the direction and

relative speed of ground movement) (2 pts)


58/269

IESO 2009


59/269

The 3rdInternational Earth Science Olympiad

Mentors Signature:

Written Test16 September 2009

Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:

3rd IESO Written Test

1 / 35


60/269

To seldom speak is the essence of nature. Why the winds and storm do not last whole

day? Because the earth that manifests the winds and storm is constantly changing.

Laozi Tao Te Chin 4th

Century BC

In the south, there was a man of extraordinary views, named Huang Liao, who asked

Shi how it was that the sky did not fall nor the earth sink, and what was the cause of

wind, rain, and the thunder's roll and crash. Shi made no attempt to evade the

questions, and answered him without any exercise of thought, talking about all things.

Zhuangzi Tian Xia 4

th Century BC.


2 / 35


61/269

Instructions:

1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover page.

2. The time alloacted for this examination is three hours.

3. Please write your answers legibly. Illegible answers will be counted as

incorrect.

4. Please keep your answers short and focus on the key points.

5. Please write your answers only on the white test booklet provided.

6. You may respond to questions either in English, your native language,

or a combination of both.

7. Read the entire question group carefully before starting to answer.

Each question has a point value assigned, for example, (1 pt).

8. For some questions, you will be asked to provide your answers on the

figures. Please do so carefully.

9. Any inappropriate examination behavior will result in your withdrawal

from the IESO.

Formulae for references:

m-M = -5+5log(d); 1 parsec (pc) = 3.26 ly;

where m is apparent magnitude, M is absolute magnitude and d is distance measured in pc.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law E =T4,

where is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant and T is temperature in K.


3 / 35


62/269

Atmosphere and Hydrosphere (total of 35 pts)

1. The figure below is the surface weather map for the region of western North Pacific at 00

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, same as the Greenwich Mean Time), 25 October 2004.

Please answer the following questions:

(i) The contour lines on the map are produced by analyzing which of the following

meteorological variables? (1 pt)

(A) Altitude (B) Pressure

(C) Temperature (D) Humidity

(E) Wind speed

Answer:

(ii)The weather system labeled as X (in green color) in the above figure should be

which of the following? (1 pt)

(A) An extra-tropical cyclone (B) A continental anticyclone

(C) A tropical cyclone (D) A migratory anticyclone

(E) A front

Answer:

(iii)The wind direction at point A should be close to which of the following? (1 pt)

(A) Easterly wind (B) Southerly wind

(C) Westerly wind (D) Northerly wind

(E) The wind is calm at point A

Answer:

(iv)Among the five locations labeled from A to E in the map, which should have the

strongest wind of all? Please write down the letter of that location. (1 pt)

Answer:


4 / 35


63/269

2. Which of the following gases in the atmosphere has the largest variations in spatial and

daily-time scales and has strong impact on local weather? (1 pt)

(A) CO2 (B) CO (C) H2O (D) O3 (E) He

Answer:

3. What is the most likely reason why typhoons are rarely observed over the ocean near the

Equator? (1 pt)

(A) Sea surface temperature is too high (B) Pressure gradient is too weak

(C) Coriolis force is too small (D) Convection is not strong enough

(E) Wind is too weak

Answer:

4. Regarding the mean value and the range of annual temperature cycle, please answer all the

true/false questions below. For your information, a world map is provided below and the

locations of the cities mentioned in the questions are also marked.

(i) The annual temperature range in the northern hemisphere, as a whole, is larger than

that in the southern hemisphere. True or false (T/F)? (1 pt)

Answer:

(ii)The annual mean temperature at Moscow (56N, 38E) is lower than that at Cairo

(30N, 31E). True or false (T/F)? (1 pt)

Answer:

(iii) The annual temperature range at Denver (40N, 105W) is smaller than that atLisbon (39N, 9W). True or false (T/F)? (1 pt)

Answer:

(iv)The average temperature in July at Honolulu (21N, 158W) is slightly lower than

that at Johannesburg (26S, 28E). True or false (T/F)? (1 pt)

Answer:


5 / 35


64/269

5. Which time of a day in the lower troposphere has the highest possibility for clear air

turbulence to occur? (1 pt)

(A) Morning (B) Noon (C) Afternoon (D) Evening (E) Midnight

Answer:

6. The figure below shows the globally-averaged vertical profile of atmospheric pressure

from the sea level to 50 km in altitude. Please answer the questions below:

(i) The term pressure on the horizontal axis is equivalent to which of the following? (1

pt)

(A) Force divided by area (B) Mass divided by area

(C) Density multiplied by temperature (D) Mass multiplied by distance

(E) Weight divided by volume

Answer:

(ii)Which of the following pressure layer has the greatest altitude difference (i.e.,

thickness)? (1 pt)

(A) 1-10 hPa (B) 101-110 hPa (C) 501-510 hPa

(D) 510-1010 hPa (E) 1001-1010 hPa

Answer:


6 / 35


65/269

(iii)In the static atmosphere, the change in pressure with height is governed by the

hydrostatic equation, expressed as p = gz, where g is the gravitational

acceleration in m/s2 (g= 9.81 m/s

2), is air density in kg/m

3, and p and z are

pressure difference in Pa and thickness in meter at two fixed altitudes. If the averaged

air density from the 1000 hPa to 500 hPa (where 1 hPa = 100 Pa) is about 0.910kg/m

3, please apply this equation to find the height of the 500-hPa pressure level.

Please show your calculation. (2 pts)

Answer:

7. If the temperature for the air released from a bicycle tire hole is T1and the temperature ofair around this bicycle is T2, which temperature is lower? (1 pt)

Answer:

8. If lots of dust is blown into the atmosphere during a volcano eruption, how will it change

the atmospheric temperature in the local area surrounding the volcano due to the dusteffect? (1 pt)

(A) Increase (B) Decrease (C) Remain the same (D) Not certain

Answer:


7 / 35


66/269

9. The figure below depicts the time variation of annual global mean surface temperatures

(black dots) from 1850 to 2005. The long term variation of global average surface

temperature includes decadal variation (smooth blue curve) and linear trends (straight

lines). The right hand axis shows estimated actual temperature. The left hand axis shows

temperature anomalies relative to 1961-1990 average. Please answer the followingquestions.

(i) Linear warming trends (C/year) in global average surface temperature for the last 25,

50, 100 and 150 years are shown as yellow, orange, purple and red lines, respectively.

Which period has the greatest linear warming trend? (1 pt)

(A) the last 25 years (B) the last 50 years

(C) the last 100 years (D) the last 150 years

Answer:

(Source: IPCC AR4, 2007)


8 / 35


67/269

(ii)Please calculate the linear warming trend (C/year) in global average surface

temperature for the last 50 years (1956-2005), the last 100 years (1906-2005) and

their ratio (the last 50 years /the last 100 years). (2 pts)

Answer:


9 / 35


68/269

10.The figure below shows the distribution of sea level pressure in January averaged for 40

years (climatology) over the tropical Pacific. Surface wind, ocean currents and sea surface

temperature (SST) are closely related in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Please answer the

following questions. (Refer to the following figure for questions 10(i), 10(ii), and 10(iii)

(i) Please plot the direction of trade wind at point labeled as and equatorial currentat point labeled as in the above figure.

( Please use the symbol for trade winds, and the symbol for

equatorial currents ) (2 pts)


10 / 35


69/269

(ii)Trade winds are related to the surface pressure gradient. Figure below displays the

time series of sea-level pressure at Darwin (12S, 131E) and Tahiti (17S, 149W).

Please write down the surface pressure gradient and the speed of the trade wind

between Tahiti and Darwin in January 1998, 1999 and C (climatology) in descending

order (example: 1998 > 1999 > C). (2 pts)

1004100510061007

1008100910101011101210131014101510161017

Jan May Sep Jan May Sep Jan May Sep

1997 1998 1999

SeaL

evelPressure(hPa)

Darwin

Tahiti

Answer: Surface pressure gradient : > >

Trade winds : > >

(iii)In January of which year, 1998 or 1999, is the SST over the eastern equatorial

Pacific Ocean warmer? (1 pt)

Answer:


11 / 35


70/269

Equator

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

11.The following figure shows the long-term average temperature profiles from the surface

down to the depth of 2,000 m compiled at two stations Station A in the western

equatorial Pacific Ocean at 140E and Station B in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean at

120W. Which of the following statements is true? (2 pts)

(A) Profiles compiled at Station A and B can be presented by X and Y respectively.

(B) Profiles compiled at Station A and B can be presented by Y and X respectively

Answer:

0 10 20 30

Temperature (oC)

2000

1000

0

Depth(m

)

X

Y

X

Y

12.A strong ocean current flows northwards in the Northern Hemisphere as shown in the

figure below. Which one of the arrows is correct? (1 pts)

(A) A

(B) B

(C) C

(D) D

(E) E

Answer:


12 / 35


71/269

13.Mesoscale eddies in the ocean can be detected by satellite altimeters. The color figure

below shows contours of the sea surface dynamic topography at an area in the western

North Pacific Ocean. The contour interval is 5 cm. Generally speaking, the surface flow

field of these eddies can be depicted based on geostrophic equilibrium. Please draw

arrows () to indicate the directions of surface currents at the six white dots in the figure

below. (3 pts)

130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140

Longitude (E)

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Latitude

(N)

215

220

225

230

235

240

245

250

255

260

265

270

275

280

285

290

295

Sea Surface Dynamic Topography (cm)

14.It is known that the salinity of the Mediterranean seawater is always higher than that of

the Atlantic Ocean.

(i) The relation among evaporation (E), precipitation (P) and river runoff (R) for the

Mediterranean can be expressed by (2 pts)(A) E > P + R (B) E < P + R (C) P > E + R (D) R > E + P

Answer:

(ii)Which of the following flow patterns between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic

Ocean is correct? (2 pts)

Answer:


13 / 35


72/269

(A)

Depth(m

)

MediterraneanAtlantic Ocean

500

1000Depth(m

)


500

1000

(B)

Depth(m)


500

1000Depth(m)


500

1000


500

1000

(C)

Depth(m)


500

1000Depth(m)


500

1000


14 / 35


73/269

(D)

Depth(m

)


500

1000Depth(m

)


500

1000

(E)

Depth(m)


500

1000Depth(m)


500

1000


15 / 35


74/269

Astronomy (total of 20 pts)

15.The diameter of the Moon is about a quarter of that of the Earth, and the diameter of the

Sun is about 100 times of that of the Earth. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is about

400 times of the distance from the Earth to the Moon. At each astronomical event, which

of the following bright shapes will be observed? Choose one suitable item from A to D.

(i) solar eclipse (0.5 pt)

Answer:

(ii)lunar eclipse (0.5 pt)

Answer:

(iii) In the future, people will be able to watch a solar eclipse on the surface of the moon.

Which of A to D patterns would the shape of the Sun be observed on the moon?

(0.5 pt)

Answer:

(iv)Under the condition of (iii), what phenomenon is seen then from the Earth? (0.5 pt)

(A) Solar eclipse (B) Lunar eclipse (C) Earth eclipse

Answer:

16.At the present time, the energy of the Sun is generated by thermonuclear fusion reactions

in the central core. The thermonuclear processes convert four nuclei X into a heavier

nucleus and also produce energy. What is the nucleus X? (1 pt)

(A) Hydrogen (B) Helium (C) Oxygen (D) Carbon (E) Uranium

Answer:

17.If the temperature inside the umbra of a sunspot is 1500 K cooler than the solar

photosphere (its temperature ~ 5800 K) outside the sunspot, let B1 be the energy flux out

of the umbra and B2 be the energy flux from the area surrounding the sunspot. What

will be the ratio, B2/B1? (1 pt)

(A) 0.004 (B) 1.35 (C) 0.74 (D) 3.31 (E) 223

Answer:

18.Circle the leap year(s) in the following list. (0.5 pt)

(A) (B) (C) (D)

1890 1972 1998 2000 2002 2100


16 / 35


75/269

19.There are four celestial objects shown in the following pictures. Arrange the size of

objects from the smallest to the largest. Fill your answer in A, B, C and D. (1 pt)

( ) < ( ) < ( ) < ( )

(A) Pleiades Star Cluster (B) Andromeda Galaxy

(C) Sun (D) Saturn

20.Continued from the preceding question, arrange the objects according to their distances

from the Earth in the ascending order. Fill your answer in A, B, C and D. (1 pt)

( ) < ( ) < ( ) < ( )

21.If we observe the planets through a telescope on the Earth, which planets images will

appear to be similar to the lunar phase, . Circle the planets. (1 pt)

Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

22.The celestial coordinates of Vega are R.A. 18h36m56.2sand Dec +38 471. Assume

the Sun passes the meridian at noon (12:00:00), on which date will Vega transit the

meridian at midnight (00:00:00)? Note that the vernal and autumnal equinoxes in 2009

are March 20 and September 23, respectively. (2 pts) (Show calculation with your answer)

Answer:


17 / 35


76/269

23.The following photo shows the lunar surface of the side facing the Earth. Four surface

features are marked and they are Mare Imbrium, Crater Tycho, Crater Copernicus and

Montes Apenninus. Apply the cross-cutting principle to estimate the ages of these surface

features. Determine the relative age of these features from old to young. (1.5 pts)

(A) Crater Copernicus > Mare Imbrium > Montes Apenninus > Crater Tycho(B) Crater Tycho > Crater Copernicus > Mare Imbrium > Montes Apenninus

(C) Mare Imbrium > Montes Apenninus > Crater Copernicus > Crater Tycho

(D) Montes Apenninus > Crater Copernicus > Mare Imbrium > Crater Tycho

(E) Montes Apenninus > Mare Imbrium > Crater Copernicus > Crater Tycho

Answer:

24.Any object as large as a star will collapse under its own weight unless some other force

stops it. The Sun has maintained its appearance for a long time. Under what condition is

the interior of the Sun in balance? (1 pt)

(A) The interaction of the atoms prevents the gravitational collapse.

(B) The repulsive forces between ions prevent the gravitational collapse.

(C) The strong forces in nuclei prevent the gravitational collapse.

(D) The thermal pressure prevents the gravitational collapse.

(E) The magnetic field prevents the gravitational collapse.

Answer:

The moon


18 / 35


77/269

25.The synodic period for outer planets can be determined by the time interval between two

successive oppositions. Based on observations, the synodic period of the Mars is about

779.9 days. The Earths revolution period is 365.2564 days. What is the revolution period

of the Mars in days ? (2 pts) (Show calculation with your answer)

26.Nowadays, astronomers believe that the solar system formed from a cloud of interstellar

gas and dust about 4.6 billion years ago. The pictures below show the representative

stages in the phases of the formation. Arrange the order of the pictures to demonstrate

the formation process. (2 pts)

Figure (a). The Sun became hotter and drifted

the gas from the inner region, leaving

heavier debris revolving in orbits.

Figure (d). The protosun has begun to

shine, with a flattened disk of gas

and dust surrounding it.

Figure (b). The planets have been accreting in

their orbits.

Figure (e). The protosun formed at the

center and the cloud rotated faster.

Figure (c). A cold, slowly rotating cloud

began to contract under its own gravity.Figure (f). The planets were formed and

orbit the Sun.

Answer: ( c ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( f )


19 / 35


78/269

27.The following diagram gives the predicted positions of the four moons relative to Jupiter.

The number 1, 2, 3 and 4 indicate the tracks of Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto

respectively. The width defined by the two lines marks the visual disk of Jupiter. The

E and W give the east and the west as view from the Earth. The ordinate marks the date.

Now, we have a photo of Jupiter and its moons taken in 2008 October but the date is

unknown. Use the predicted diagram to allocate the four moons and to estimate the date

for photography.

Answer: The photo was taken at the night of 2008 Oct. ( ) (1 pt)

The satellites are a: ( ) ; b: ( ) ; c: ( ) ; d: ( ) (1 pt)


20 / 35


79/269

28.The apparent magnitude of a star is a measure of how bright the star appears to be. This

depends on its luminosity and distance. On the other hand, the absolute magnitude of a

star is the brightness defined that if the star were 10 parsecs (pc) from the Earth, which is

independent of the stars actual distance. The table presents apparent magnitude and

distance of four stars. Calculate their absolute visual magnitude (give the answers in twodecimal places, e.g. the format XX.XX) and answer the following questions.

(i) Use the data in the table to find out which star is actually the brightest? (0.5 pt)

Answer:

(ii)Among these stars, which star has a luminosity about 100 times brighter than the Sun?

(0.5 pt)

Answer:

(iii)

Star apparent visual magnitude distance(pc) absolute visual magnitude

A 2.1 29.75

B 0.5 42.94

C 0.8 19.94

D -0.7 95.09

Sun -26.7 4.83

(Each answer in the table is 0.25 pt)


21 / 35


80/269

Geosphere (total of 45 pts)

29.We have four mineral specimens. All four are Mohs scale standard minerals, both topaz

and apatite are absent. Hardness tests show that: (1) only one out of the four is harder than

topaz, and (2) only one is softer than apatite. Furthermore, the above two are both

isometric crystals. Among the four specimens, the one softer than apatite is ______. (1 pt)

(A) calcite (B) gypsum (C) fluorite (D) quartz (E) talc

Answer:

30.What is the major greenhouse gas trapped in the frozen soils of the tundra and continental

shelf sediments? (1 pt)

(A) methane (B) carbon dioxide (C) water vapor (D) ethane (E) nitrogen

Answer:

31.Based on the geochemical equilibrium of the Earth system, the increase in burial rate of

organic matter in the sediments could most likely result in ______. (1 pt)

(A) a reduction in the Earth's atmospheric N2 and an increase in CO2levels

(B) an increase in the Earth's atmospheric N2 and reduction in CO2levels

(C) a reduction in the Earth's atmospheric CO2 and an increase in O2levels

(D) an increase in the Earth's atmospheric CO2 and a decrease in O2levels

(E) a reduction in both CO2and O2levels

Answer:

32.When the strength of rock material is greater, it tends to fracture or break more easily;

conversely, when the rock is softer, it tends to bend and change its shape more easily.Based on that, assume the outer layers in a, b and c have the same strength and are under

the same stress conditions for every sample. Please rank the strength for deformation of

the following geological structures (a, b and c) from low to high. (1 pt)

(A) a-b-c (B) b-a-c (C) c-b-a(D) a-c-b (E) b-c-aAnswer:

a b c


22 / 35


81/269

33.Circle thespecimen(s) that is/are from vertebrate organisms? (2 pts)

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

(E) (F)

34.What type of material or celestial body gives us the most information in order to estimate

the bulk chemical composition of the Earth? Choose the most suitable one from the list

below. (1 pt)

(A) comets (B) Mars (C) Moon (D) meteorites (E) oceanic crust

Answer:

35.Which one of the following terms best describes the structure illustrated? (1 pt)

(A) upright fold(B) antiformal anticline

(C) synformal syncline

(D) fault propagation fold

(E) normal fault

Answer:


23 / 35


82/269

36.The figure below shows a type of landform which consists of sand. What is the most

likely prevailing local wind direction? (1 pt)

(A) from low right to upper left (B) from upper right to lower left

(C) from upper left to lower right (D) from lower left to upper right

(E) no prevailing wind direction can be identified.

Answer:

37.The photographs below were taken from a low-lying basaltic island in the subtropical

zone. On this island, horizons A and B in the soil profile are characterized by

reddish-brown color. Which is the most important factor for such a soil to develop?(1 pt)

(A) plant type (B) climate (C) relief (D) sea breeze

Answer:

(A)

(B)(C)

(D)

Horizon A &

Horizon B


24 / 35


83/269

38.The figure below shows the typical hill slopes developed on a massive mudstone bedrock.

Two major processes could have contributed to erosion in this area and one of them is

sheet wash. Please identify the other major process.(1 pt)

(A) debris flow (B) rockfall (C) rill erosion

(D) channel cutoff (E) river bank erosion

Answer:

39.Which type of rock is most commonly found at a mid-ocean ridge? (1 pt)

(A) granite (B) rhyolite (C) dacite (D) basalt (E) sandstone

Answer:

40.The figure below illustrates the empirical relationship between the earthquake magnitude

and the rupture area (RA) along the fault plane. Assume that the rupture of the May 12,

2008 Wenchuan, China earthquake (M=8) occurred within a rectangular plane with a

maximum depth of 15 km and a dip angle of 30. Estimate the rupture length on the

surface if the fault plane penetrated the ground surface. (Show your work in the space next

to the figure; 3 pts)

Answer:


25 / 35


84/269

41.Assume that you are travelling along the northern margin of the Sahara Desert where

vegetation cover is poor and the bedrock is exposed and readily observed (see photograph

below). This rugged topography is characterized by many small ridges (indicated with

arrows). Please draw a cross section to show the relationship between the lithology and

topography. Use M for mudstone and S for sandstone to label the rocks. (2 pts)

paallmm ttrreeeess

Answer:


26 / 35


85/269

42.Which one of the following is a primary structure? (1 pt)

(A)fold axial plane (B) fault

(C) mineral stretching lineation (D) joint

(E) flame (loading) structure

Answer:

43.What is likely to occur (Highly probable H or Least probable L) in a lowoxygen

atmosphere environment older than 2 billion years ? (1 pts)

(i) Photosynthetic prokaryotes

(ii) formation of banded-iron formations


27 / 35


86/269

44.The following map shows the surface horizontal velocity obtained from GPS

measurements. The vector length at each point is proportional to the magnitude of the

velocity, and the arrow indicates the direction of movement. Please answer the following

questions.

(i) Based on the spatial variations of velocities, which stress environment setting is

correct? (1 pt)

(a) A: compressive, B: extensional, C: shearing

(b) A: shearing, B: compressive, C: extensional

(c) A: extensional, B: shearing, C: compressive

(d) A: compressive, B: shearing, C: extensional

Answer:


28 / 35


87/269

(ii)According to the surface velocity, please roughly estimate the strain rate between

points 1 and 2. Please show your calculations and give your answer in scientific

notation in 2 significant figures. (Hint: the unit for strain rate is per year) (3 pts)

(iii)Assume higher strain rate indicates higher earthquake activities. Which area C, D, or

E in map has the highest earthquake activity? (1 pt)

Answer:

45.We know the pattern of radiated seismic waves depends on the fault geometry. The

polarity (direction) of the first P-wave arrival varies between seismic stations at different

direction from an earthquake. Figure (a) illustrates this concept for a strike-slip earthquake

on a vertical fault. The first motion is either push, for stations located such that material

near the fault moves toward the station, or pull, where the motion is away from the

station. The downward first motion indicates that the P-wave is radiated from a region

where the focal source is being relatively compressed, as shown in the lower-right

quadrant in Figure (a).

Compressional

CompressionalExtensional

Auxiliary

plane

Fault plane

Epicenter

Figure (a)

Pull

Push

Extensional


29 / 35


88/269

Figure (b) shows 3-component seismograms recorded at a station 85 km away from the

epicenter. They are east-west, north-south and up-down, respectively. Please answer the

following questions according to Figures (a) and (b).

(i) Which description listed below is correct? (2 pts)

(A) First direct P wave is radiated through the extensional quadrant and the first direct

S wave is radiated through the compressive quadrant.

(B) First P wave is radiated through the compressive quadrant and the first S wave is

radiated through the extensional quadrant.

(C) Both first P and S waves are radiated through the extensional quadrant.

(D) Both first P and S waves are radiated through the compressive quadrant.

Answer:

(ii)Please infer the location of the recording station with respect to the epicenter in terms

of the first motions. (2 pt)

(A) North north west (B) South south west

(C) North north east (D) South south eastAnswer:

Amplitude(10-4

cm)

Figure (b)

2

1

0

1

-2

2

1

0

1

-2

2

1

0

1

-2

10 15 20 25 30 35 40


30 / 35


89/269

Sand Silt

Answer: Clay

46. Choose the most characteristic rock/mineral from the list below (4 pts)

a. quartz b. biotite c. hornblende d. rutile e. garnet

f. orthoclase g. calcite h. halite i. beryl j. diamond

k. basalt l. gabbro m. andesite n. granite o. rhyolite

p. shale q. marble r. slate s. chalk t. chert

(i) ______ Pure substance; two elements; common mineral; hexagonal prismatic

crystal.

(ii)______ Subduction; eruptive rock; volcano; island arc.

(iii)______ Continental crust; felsic; batholith; coarse texture.

(iv)______ Metamorphic; carbonate; limestone; recrystallization.

47.The table below shows the results of grain size analysis of five soil samples.

Sample A B C D E

Clay (%) 80 30 50 10 20

Silt (%) 10 40 15 20 65

Sand (%) 10 30 35 70 15

(i) Use the information in the table to complete the soil texture diagram below for A, C

and D samples. Plot your answer as dots () and label with sample name (A, C, D).

(2 pts)

(ii)Which sample has the highest porosity? (1 pt)

Answer:


31 / 35


90/269

48.

(i) Hydrographs below describe discharge conditions before and after urbanization in a

drainage basin. In the following figures lag time should be noted in both

hydrographs. Please indicate the lag time in both of the following hydrographs

using appropriate symbols. Label them LT. Use appropriate symbols to show the

lag time and the label of LT (i.e., Lag time) should be added, too.(2 pt)

(ii) Identify the hydrograph which illustrates the condition of the drainage basin before

urbanization. (1 pt)

Answer:

(iii)Refer to the figures above and complete the following table using +to represent

higher, longer or larger, to represent lower, shorter or smaller and 0 to represent

irrelevant. (2 pts)

Table

Variables before urbanization after urbanization

Rainfall intensity

Lag time

Flood magnitude

Time

Flood stage

Time

Flood stage

Discharge (m3sec-1)

Rainfall mm

(A) (B)


32 / 35


91/269

49.Connect the fault types with the correct figures. (2 pts)

Normal fault

Thrust fault

Dextral transverse fault

Sinistral transverse fault


33 / 35


92/269

50.The figure below shows the variations of deuterium isotope (D), the atmospheric

concentrations of the CO2, CH4, and N2O derived from air trapped within ice cores from

Antarctica. The shading indicates the interglacial warm periods. The lowest panel shows

the globally distributed 18

O records of benthic foraminifera, a proxy for global ice

volume fluctuations. Downward trends in the benthic 18

O curve reflect increasing ice

volumes on land. Stars of different colors are the N2O, CH4, and CO2concentrations in

the atmosphere in the year 2007. (1 ka = 1000 years ago; 0 ka = 1950 AD) (Source: IPCC

AR4, 2007).

(i) Over the last 650 ka, when did the CH4content exceed the current level? (1 pt)

(A) 400 ka (B) 125 ka (C) 330 ka (D) 315 ka (E) none of these

Answer:

(ii) The magnitude of 18O is directly proportional to the ice volume on land (note the

scale on graph is inverted). When was the most recenttime that the ice volume on

land was maximum? (1 pt)

(A) 420 ka (B) 220 ka (C) 125 ka (D) 20 ka (E) 0 ka

Answer:

Time (ka)


34 / 35


93/269

(iii) The most likely cause for the glacial-interglacial cycles shown in the figure above is

______. (1 pt)

(A) fluctuations in 18

O of benthic foraminifera

(B) fluctuations in the Earth's orbit

(C) fluctuations in plate movements of the northern landmasses(D) fluctuations in plate movements of the southern landmasses

(E) burning of fossil fuel

Answer:


35 / 35


94/269


Mentors Signature:

Practical Test Geosphere18 September 2009

Taipei, Taiwan


3rd IESO Practical Test

1 / 13


95/269




Century BC





Zhuangzi Tian Xia 4th

Century BC.


2 / 13


96/269

Field survey is one of the essential activities in geological and

physical geographical studies. Depending upon research purposes,

geologists and/or geographers would select field sites to investigate. After

site selection, researchers would: sketch the topography, observe the

sedimentary structures, classify the rocks consisted in the strata, identify

the fossils they observed, measure the strike and dip of the strata, and the

structures and label them on the geological map. They would use all these

data to interpret and reconstruct the geological history.

Instructions:

1. Please follow the instructors instruction when traveling between stops

for your and others safety. The rocks will be slippery and potentially

dangerous. Please move with caution. Absolute No Running!

Absolute No Reading while Walking!

2. You will be visiting a geological sanctuary. We urge you not to

damage or take away geological material during your field

investigations

3. In this practical test, you will be a geologist and a geographer studyinga small area.

4. There are six stops (1 to 6).The sequence of visit to the six stops is not

important, as long as all six sites are visited.

5. You will have 15 minutes at each site for making your observations.

6. Please record your observations and answers on your test sheets.

7.No discussion among students.

8. Please keep your test sheets carefully. If you lose any of them, there

will be no scorewill be granted for that section.

9. Hard hats are provided at STOPs 4 and 6 because possible injury.

Please wear a hard hat at these stops and return it later.

10.Please read questions 1 and 2 first. Do not answer them until you

have visited all six stops. You will need to get a whole picture of

this area to understand the geology and structure of the area.


3 / 13


97/269

1. What is the most likely depositional environment of the strata of this Bitou Cape

area? (1 pt)

(A) freshwater lake environment

(B) desert and arid basin environment

(C) fluvial environment

(D) coastal environment

(E) deep marine environment.

Answer:

2. Please look at your map on the last page. Consider the strike and dip data

provided along with your own measurements. Assuming that all the strikes and

dips were measured on the same continuous plane, what is the most likely

macro-scale geological structure of the Bitou Cape area? (1 pt)

(A) anticline

(B) syncline

(C) volcanic crater

(D) normal fault

(E) reverse fault.

Answer:


4 / 13


98/269

STOP 1

3. What is the most likely depositional environment for the sedimentary structure

observed within the red frame at this outcrop? (1 pt)

(A) riverine environment (B) lacustrine environment

(C) deep sea with turbidity current (D) intertidal zone.

Answer:

4. Please locate your current position using the GPS provided, and record it below at

(i). Refer to the map (last page). Using the GPS position you obtain, select the

correct spot from spots I to V. Record this answer at (ii) below.

(i) GPS readout (1 pt):

(ii)Circle the correct spot (1 pt): I, II, III, IV, V

5. Please measure the dip direction and dip angle of the assigned bedding surface at

STOP 1 and plot them within the corresponding white circle on the map. Ticks

around the white circles are 10 apart. Symbol indicates a stratum with adip direction of 045 and a dip angle 20.

(i) dip direction: ; dip angle: (2 pts)

(strike = dip direction 090)

(ii)Label the dip direction and dip angle symbol in the corresponding white circle

on the map on the last page. (1 pt)

20


5 / 13


99/269

STOP 2

6. What is the most dominant sedimentary structure that you see within the red frame

at STOP 2? (1 pt)

(A) ripple mark (B) cross bedding (C) slump structure

(D) load structure (E) flame structure

Answer:

7. What is the major sediment transport direction indicated according to this outcrop?

Please answer by standing on the X mark, facing toward the outcrop. Please

write down the correct answer using letters A to H. (2 pts)

Answer:

8. Please identify the rock type you observed within the yellow frame. (1 pt)

(A) granite (B) limestone (C) pillow lava

(D) sandstone (E) shale

Answer:


6 / 13


100/269

STOP 3

9. What is the structure within the red frame at STOP 3? (1 pt)

(A) ripple mark (B) cross bedding (C) fault

(D) plumose structure (E) flame structure

Answer:

10.Please observe the fossils from the assigned five sample locations ( to ).

Identify and match them with the pictures of fauna provided and circle the sample

location numbers in the 2nd column. Then circle the name of the fauna

corresponding to what you found. The names of fossils can be used more than

once. You do not have to answer the third column (Name of fauna) if you dont

find that kind of fossil. (total 4.5 pts; 0.5 pt each)

Pictures of fauna Sample location Name of fauna

Ans: (A)bivalve

(B)brachiopod

(C)cephalopod

(D)crustacean

(E)gastropod

(F)sea urchin

Ans: (A)bivalve

(B)brachiopod

(C)cephalopod

(D)crustacean

(E)gastropod

(F)sea urchin

Ans: (A)bivalve

(B)brachiopod

(C)cephalopod

(D)crustacean

(E)gastropod

(F)sea urchin


7 / 13


101/269

Pictures of fauna Samples location Name of fauna

Ans: (A)bivalve

(B)brachiopod

(C)cephalopod

(D)crustacean

(E)gastropod

(F)sea urchin

Ans: (A)bivalve

(B)brachiopod

(C)cephalopod

(D)crustacean

(E)gastropod

(F)sea urchin

Ans: (A)bivalve

(B)brachiopod

(C)cephalopod

(D)crustacean

(E)gastropod

(F)sea urchin


8 / 13


102/269

STOP 4

11.At STOP4, you see a fallen rock. Identify what direction was up at the time of

formation of the rock. (2 pts)

Answer:

12.Please identify the type of fallen rock at this location. (1 pt)

(A) granite (B) limestone (C) pillow lava

(D) sandstone (E) shale

Answer:


9 / 13


103/269

STOP 5

13.What is the sedimentary structure within the red frame at STOP 5? (1 pt)

(A) ripple mark (B) fold (C) slump structure

(D) load structure (E) flame structure

Answer:

14.Based on the sedimentary structure you identified in the previous question, what is

the most likely flow direction of water during formation? (2 pts)

Answer:

15.There are five surfaces in this outcrop labeledto. Please identify eachsurface and circle the correct options below. (2.5 pts)

Surface

number

bedding plane fault plane joint plane fold axial plane

bedding plane

bedding plane

bedding plane

bedding plane

bedding plane

fault plane

fault plane

fault plane

fault plane

fault plane

joint plane

joint plane

joint plane

joint plane

joint plane

fold axial plane

fold axial plane

fold axial plane

fold axial plane

fold axial plane


10 / 13


104/269

STOP 6

This stretch of coast is characterized by sea cliff, sea notch, wave abrasion

platform (also known as shore platform) and some micro landforms. The figure below

(not to scale) shows a cross section from the ridge of the headland to the sea though it

is not quite completed yet. Its location is indicated by the arrows on the ground.

Between the cliff toe and sea water, five segments can be readily identified (noted as

segments a-e).

Please walk along the cross section before answering the following questions.

Be cautious on wet and slippery ground.

Figure

16.Sketch thesegments band eto complete the cross section. (2 pts)

Please make use of observations within thirty meters on either side of the section line.

17.What major processes contributed to the landform development here? Check off

or tick the four correct answers in the following list. (2 pts)

uplift subsidence

frost action wave erosion

salt weathering slope failure

fluvial erosion

SL

e d c b a


11 / 13


105/269

Caption for the map on the last page

This is not a question!

Topographic map of the Bitou Cape region in Taipei County, northeast

Taiwan. The latitudinal-longitudinal coordinates on the map are in theTaiwan Grid position format (TM2) coordinate system.


12 / 13


106/269

342000

342300

342600

342900

342200

342000

342300

342600

342900

342200

2780300278000027797002779400279100

2780300278000027797002779400279100

II IIII

IIIIIIIIVV

VV

00

00

0000

00

Map

3rdIESOPractica

lTest

13/13


107/269


Mentors Signature:

Practical Test-Atmosphere

( Part I )18 September 2009

Taipei, Taiwan



1 / 9


108/269




Century BC





Zhuangzi Tian Xia 4th

Century BC.


2 / 9


109/269

Instructions for the practical test (Part I of Atmosphere):

1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the coverpage.

2. The time allocated for this examination is 40 minutes.3. Please write your answers legibly. Illegible answers will be

counted as incorrect.

4. You may respond to questions either in English, your nativelanguage, or a combination of both.

5. Read the entire question group carefully before starting to answer.Each question has a point value assigned, for example, (1 pt).

6. For Problem 5, show all the calculations for the answers on thequestion paper.

7. Any inappropriate examination behavior will result in yourwithdrawal from the IESO.


3 / 9


110/269

Display of Satellite and Radar Loops.

An example of satellite-picture loop is shown below.

An example of radar-picture loop is shown below.

The radar picture above is observed by the Wufenshan radar station in northeastern

Taiwan.

Click hereto start the Practical Test


4 / 9


111/269

Practical Test (Part I)

Purpose: To understand the precipitation and wind patterns in different weather

conditions using satellite and radar pictures.

Below are three infrared satellite pictures associated with the same three weather

conditions (cold front, typhoon, and monsoon flow of southwesterly wind).

120E

30N

20N

130E

(A)

120E

30N

20N

130E

(A)

120E

30N

20N

130E

(H)

120E

30N

20N

130E

(B)

120E

30N

20N 130E

(I)

120E

30N

20N 130E

(C)

120E

30N

20N 130E

(I)

120E

30N

20N 130E

(C)

The radar echo occurs when the electromagnetic wave emitted by a weather radar is

reflected by raindrops. Stronger radar echo or reflectivity usually corresponds to

larger raindrops. Below are three horizontal radar reflectivity maps associated with

three weather conditions which include cold front, typhoon, and monsoon flow of

southwesterly wind. The intensity of radar refractivity or echo (Z; in units of dBZ) isindicated by the color scale below and the range rings a

Documents

IESO Question Papers