GG 103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands Final Exam Topics

The final consists of two parts: questions from the new material and review questions from the previous seven quizzes.

From the new material, there will be 12 short answer questions from the new lecture material.

From the review material, there will be (a) three written questions selected from the previous seven quizzes and (b) three math problems from all of the math problems given during the semester.

Quiz Topics for the Short Answer Questions

Coastal Geology

Longshore Drift

Define longshore drift.
Give the relative directions of the waves approaching a beach compared to the direction of the resulting longshore drift.
Explain why water and sand move up the beach face at an angle.
Which force moves water and sand back down a beach face?
Explain why sand moves in a zigzag pattern along a beach face.

Explain why groins and similar structures constructed on the beach interfere with longshore drift.
Describe the relative widths of a beach on opposite sides of a groin and give the relationship to the direction of longshore drift.
On which side of a groin is deposition the primary process?
On which side of a groin is erosion the primary process?

Seawalls and Beach Loss

Explain why people generally build structures away from the shoreline.
Explain why shorelines will recede back to structures, even if they initially were build away from the shoreline.
Explain why people build seawalls.
Define wave reflection.
Explain how waves can deposit sand on a beach
Explain how seawalls inhibit sand deposition.
Define hardening the shoreline.

Shoreline Features

List the three main erosional processes in Hawai'i.
List the two primary ways that waves erode the shoreline.
Describe erosion by hydraulic action.
Describe erosion by abrasion.
Explain why coastal rocks commonly are rounded.
Describe the attack of the waves.
Explain wave-cut terrace formation.
Explain why Hawaii's nearshore sea floor is stairstepped.
Explain sea cliff formation.
Explain wave nip formation.
Explain sea arch formation.
Explain sea stack formation.

Potential Written Final Exam Questions From the Previous Material

The three math problems for the final are on the Examples of Math Problems page.

From the previous material, three written questions will be selected at random.

1^st Quiz

Discuss decompression melting. (8)

2^nd Quiz

Discuss igneous rocks. (10)

3^rd Quiz

Discuss volcanoes. (10)

4^th Quiz

Discuss tsunamis. (10)

5^th Quiz

Discuss absolute age dating. (10)

6^th Quiz

Discuss the formation of amphitheater-headed valley in Hawaii. (8)

7^th Quiz

Contrast the different types of sand in Hawaii. (10)

The potential written questions from the previous material for the final examination are complete.