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Petrified Wood - Quiz
Contributed by: Fernandes
  • 1. This exam will test your knowledge of petrified wood, a fascinating fossil formed when organic material is replaced by minerals over geological time. Let's see how much you know about this ancient and beautiful material.
A) Sudden volcanic eruption burying organic material
B) Rapid freezing of organic material
C) Mineral replacement of organic material
D) Chemical decomposition of organic material
  • 2. What is the primary process that transforms wood into petrified wood?
A) Carbonization
B) Permineralization
C) Petrification
D) Fossilization
  • 3. Which minerals are most commonly responsible for the coloration in petrified wood?
A) Iron oxides
B) Magnesium sulfate
C) Calcium carbonate
D) Silica gel
  • 4. The vibrant reds and yellows in petrified wood are typically caused by the presence of:
A) Chlorophyll
B) Hematite and goethite
C) Cellulose
D) Lignin
  • 5. What is the geological term for the replacement of original organic material with minerals?
A) Diagenesis
B) Stratification
C) Metamorphism
D) Authigenesis
  • 6. The most common mineral that replaces wood in petrified wood is:
A) Feldspar
B) Quartz
C) Calcite
D) Mica
  • 7. Petrified wood is considered a type of:
A) Fossil
B) Metamorphic rock
C) Sedimentary rock
D) Igneous rock
  • 8. What is a common environment where petrified wood is found?
A) Volcanic ash deposits
B) Ocean trenches
C) Glacial moraines
D) Ancient riverbeds and floodplains
  • 9. The excellent preservation of cellular structure in some petrified wood is due to:
A) Disruption of the cellular structure
B) Decomposition of the organic material
C) Slow, gradual replacement by silica
D) Rapid replacement by calcite
  • 10. The age of petrified wood is determined by:
A) Counting the growth rings
B) Observing the color variation
C) Assessing the mineral composition
D) Radiometric dating of surrounding rock layers
  • 11. What does the term 'silicified' mean in the context of petrified wood?
A) Compressed under pressure
B) Turned into coal
C) Hardened by heat
D) Replaced by silica
  • 12. Petrified wood can be used for:
A) Decorative items and jewelry
B) Building materials
C) Fertilizer production
D) Fuel for power plants
  • 13. Which of the following is NOT a mineral commonly found in petrified wood?
A) Chalcedony
B) Quartz
C) Diamond
D) Agate
  • 14. The blue and green colors in some petrified wood are often due to the presence of:
A) Sulfur
B) Iron
C) Cobalt or chromium
D) Manganese
  • 15. Petrified wood is a national fossil of which country?
A) South Africa
B) Australia
C) Canada
D) United States
  • 16. What geological period is most famous for its vast deposits of petrified wood?
A) Mesozoic Era (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous)
B) Cenozoic Era
C) Precambrian Eon
D) Paleozoic Era
  • 17. The process of petrification typically occurs:
A) On the surface, exposed to sunlight
B) In arid desert conditions
C) Underground, in the absence of oxygen
D) In waterlogged environments
  • 18. What is a common term for the gemstone-quality varieties of petrified wood, often exhibiting banding?
A) Opal
B) Jasper
C) Agate
D) Obsidian
  • 19. The original organic structure of the wood is preserved in petrified wood through:
A) Complete molecular breakdown
B) Microscopic casting of cells
C) Evaporation of all organic components
D) Transformation into pure carbon
  • 20. The distinctive grain patterns in petrified wood are a result of:
A) The type of mineral replacement
B) The original structure of the wood
C) The pressure of surrounding rock
D) The speed of fossilization
  • 21. Petrified wood can be found on every continent except:
A) Antarctica
B) Asia
C) Africa
D) Europe
  • 22. What is the likely cause of black or brown colors in petrified wood?
A) Iron
B) Cobalt
C) Carbon or manganese
D) Copper
  • 23. Which of these factors is crucial for wood to become petrified rather than decompose?
A) Decomposition by fungi
B) Burning at high temperatures
C) Rapid burial in mineral-rich water
D) Exposure to air and sunlight
  • 24. Petrified wood is a key resource for understanding:
A) The development of written language
B) Ancient mining techniques
C) Past ecosystems and climates
D) The evolution of early humans
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