Practice Test GeeksASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Practice Test

ASBOG Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASBOG facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here β€” free, no sign-up.

140 questions
240 min time limit
70% to pass
  1. In a V-pattern on a geologic map, beds with a V pointing upstream that have dip values less than the stream gradient indicate: β†’ Beds dipping downstream at less than the valley gradient
  2. Which seismic acquisition parameter most directly controls the maximum unaliased frequency that can be recorded? β†’ Sample interval (Ξ”t)
  3. The critical taper model for accretionary wedges predicts that the wedge maintains a constant angle determined by what two factors? β†’ Internal friction angle and basal friction angle
  4. Which geologic structure is MOST favorable for trapping oil and gas in a conventional reservoir? β†’ Anticline sealed by an impermeable caprock
  5. Which federal law created the Superfund program and established liability for cleanup of hazardous substance releases in the United States? β†’ CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act)
  6. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a pace-and-compass traverse in geologic mapping? β†’ To locate position and record observations where GPS is unavailable or unreliable
  7. Which element is the most abundant by weight in the Earth's crust? β†’ Oxygen
  8. What does the term 'vergence' describe in fold analysis? β†’ The direction toward which a fold or thrust is overturned or displaced
  9. During reconnaissance mapping of a volcanic terrane, a geologist should use which feature FIRST to distinguish lava flows from pyroclastic deposits? β†’ Vesicularity, welding texture, and presence of lithic fragments
  10. Sandy soils have higher hydraulic conductivity than clay soils primarily because: β†’ Sand has larger pore spaces allowing faster water flow
  11. A water sample from a spring shows tritium activity of less than 0.8 TU. This result most likely indicates the water: β†’ Has a mean residence time greater than about 50 years
  12. A rock mass with three mutually perpendicular joint sets has a maximum block volume defined by spacing S1, S2, and S3. What is the block volume? β†’ S1 Γ— S2 Γ— S3
  13. Which equation is the governing partial differential equation for transient groundwater flow in a confined, homogeneous, isotropic aquifer? β†’ Diffusion equation: βˆ‡Β²h = (S/T)(βˆ‚h/βˆ‚t)
  14. Which diagenetic process involves the replacement of original minerals by silica (SiOβ‚‚)? β†’ Silicification
  15. The Milankovitch cycles that drive glacial-interglacial cycles include all of the following EXCEPT: β†’ Solar luminosity changes (~11-year sunspot cycle)
  16. Which geophysical method is most appropriate for mapping lateral variations in near-surface soil conductivity for agricultural or environmental applications? β†’ Frequency-domain EM terrain conductivity (e.g., EM38)
  17. What does the plasticity index (PI) of a fine-grained soil indicate? β†’ The range of moisture content over which the soil behaves plastically
  18. Which sedimentary structure indicates oscillatory (wave) flow rather than unidirectional current flow? β†’ Symmetrical ripple marks
  19. Which factor MOST directly controls the economic viability of a phosphate rock deposit? β†’ P2O5 content and proximity to agricultural markets
  20. the slope's slope angle from the horizontal β†’ Slope Angle (Οƒ)
  21. a 1 to 9 second-long, essentially constant motion in the Earth that is unconnected to earthquakes β†’ Microseism
  22. Which radiometric dating method relies on the decay of uranium-238 to lead-206? β†’ Uranium-Lead dating
  23. Telluric current surveys measure naturally occurring electric currents in the Earth. These currents are primarily induced by: β†’ Variations in the geomagnetic field driven by solar activity
  24. Which luminescence dating technique uses heat to release trapped electrons from mineral grains to determine burial age? β†’ Thermoluminescence (TL)
  25. Which geologic formation is the primary source rock for the Permian Basin's prolific oil production? β†’ Wolfcamp Shale
  26. The contact between marine and non-marine strata where there is no physical evidence of erosion or time gap is called a: β†’ Conformity
  27. Which aquifer property controls the rate at which water-level changes propagate through a confined aquifer? β†’ Hydraulic diffusivity (T/S)
  28. Which of the following site conditions is MOST susceptible to liquefaction during a strong earthquake? β†’ Loose, saturated, uniformly-graded fine sand
  29. Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) lead-zinc deposits are typically hosted in: β†’ Platform carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) in tectonically stable cratons
  30. continuous flow of water β†’ Perennial Stream
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