IESO 2007

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

1st IESO Written Test

Earth Science
7-15 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


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 one
option. (2 pts)

A. petroleum B. diamond
C. fertilizer D. cement
E. construction materials


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






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





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

A. faulting B. volcanic eruption
C. intrusion of magma D. relatively deep in the crust
E. slow cooling of magma


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


1) Suppose the earth's orbit remains constant, what was the length of a day 65 million years ago and
300 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? (3
pts)









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 the
names of islands / seamounts represent ages of rocks (in million years before present). [10 pts]

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 spot
D. 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)






















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



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 contour
lines.
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 passes
over the mountain. The altitude of location A is 500m, the air temperature at A is 26.2C, and the
level of condensation of the upward moving air is 1200m above sea level. The adiabatic lapse
rates 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. [15
pts]


Before the air flow passes over the mountain, the environmental air temperature at each elevation is
shown 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)












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


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


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 horizon
during 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 best
day, 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 displays
the path of the Sun projected on the celestial hemisphere. [10 pts]

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 north
latitude when the Earth is at positions A, B, C, and D. (4 pts)








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) from
Fig. 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 one
option below. Briefly describe how this would affect the local ecosystem productivity. Note:
Insolation is the solar energy received per m
2
of 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)


Ans: (a): (b):

2) The oceanographer has lost the location data for figures (a) and (b)! Your job is to determine which
data set (Figure (a) or (b)) goes with which location (A or B in the ocean map). Please give two
reasons 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 +0.0011
o
C/year and +0.0066
o
C/year
respectively. These rates are much lower than those at locations A and B in the northern
hemisphere. Discuss the possible causes of the distinctly different rates between the northern and
southern hemispheres. (3 pts)


















Practical Test


PRACTICAL TEST
QUESTIONS



October 10, 2007
Inter-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:

(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:

Thin section B:











Atmospheric Science

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 the
symbols 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.

































Astronomy
Figure 1 shows a typical reflector, and Figure 2, a refractor. Tables 1 and 2 are basic
specifications of two small telescopes and a CCD camera, which are commonly used in
astronomical observations.


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.

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).


























Written Test Results example
Student 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
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



IESO 2008
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 are
plagioclase, 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.
IESO 2008 Written Test 2

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)



IESO 2008 Written Test 3
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
o
C.


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. J ust north or south of the equator
c. In the west coast regions along the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer
d. At 60
o
North and 60
o
South

IESO 2008 Written Test 4
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 ice
crystals 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)




























IESO 2008 Written Test 5
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 the
direction of the typhoons movement. [7 pts in total]

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



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


IESO 2008 Written Test 6
(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]


IESO 2008 Written Test 7
14. The following figure shows oceanic topography. An earthquake occurs at Station B
(15.25
o
N, 140
o
E) at 1:50 A.M. Estimate the arrival time of the tsunami at Station A
(15.25
o
N, 122
o
E). [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


















IESO 2008 Written Test 8




15. A recent partial lunar eclipse was observed during the night of August 16th, 2008. The
composite 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 the
Earth and the Moon (about 380,000 km), calculate the approximate duration time of
this lunar eclipse. (3 pts)


IESO 2008 Written Test 9










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)






IESO 2008 Written Test 10


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








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










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


IESO 2008 Written Test 11
18. The Orionid meteor shower radiant can be found in RA 6
h
20
m
and Dec +16 as
indicated in the map below: (5 pts in total)




a) If the sun is at RA 13
h
45
m
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)







IESO 2008 Written Test 12
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 poles
of 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
IESO 2008 Written Test 13
(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)





















IESO 2008 Written Test 14
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)










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 are
plagioclase, 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.
IESO 2008 Written Test 2

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)



IESO 2008 Written Test 3
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
o
C.


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. J ust north or south of the equator
c. In the west coast regions along the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer
d. At 60
o
North and 60
o
South

IESO 2008 Written Test 4
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 ice
crystals 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)




























IESO 2008 Written Test 5
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 the
direction of the typhoons movement. [7 pts in total]

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



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


IESO 2008 Written Test 6
(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]


IESO 2008 Written Test 7
14. The following figure shows oceanic topography. An earthquake occurs at Station B
(15.25
o
N, 140
o
E) at 1:50 A.M. Estimate the arrival time of the tsunami at Station A
(15.25
o
N, 122
o
E). [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


















IESO 2008 Written Test 8




15. A recent partial lunar eclipse was observed during the night of August 16th, 2008. The
composite 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 the
Earth and the Moon (about 380,000 km), calculate the approximate duration time of
this lunar eclipse. (3 pts)


IESO 2008 Written Test 9










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)






IESO 2008 Written Test 10


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








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










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


IESO 2008 Written Test 11
18. The Orionid meteor shower radiant can be found in RA 6
h
20
m
and Dec +16 as
indicated in the map below: (5 pts in total)




a) If the sun is at RA 13
h
45
m
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)







IESO 2008 Written Test 12
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 poles
of 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
IESO 2008 Written Test 13
(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)





















IESO 2008 Written Test 14
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)












IESO 2009
The 3
rd
International Earth Science Olympiad

Mentors Signature:
Written Test
16 September 2009
Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:
3rd IESO Written Test
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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 4
th
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.


3rd IESO Written Test
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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 =T
4
,
where is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant and T is temperature in K.
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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:
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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) CO
2
(B) CO (C) H
2
O (D) O
3
(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 at
Lisbon (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:
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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:
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(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/s
2
(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 0.910
kg/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 T
1
and the temperature of
air around this bicycle is T
2
, 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 dust
effect? (1 pt)
(A) Increase (B) Decrease (C) Remain the same (D) Not certain
Answer:

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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 following
questions.

(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)
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(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:







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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 current
at point labeled as in the above figure.
( Please use the symbol for trade winds, and the symbol for
equatorial currents ) (2 pts)
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(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)
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
Jan May Sep Jan May Sep Jan May Sep
1997 1998 1999
S
e
a

L
e
v
e
l

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
h
P
a
)
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:

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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 (
o
C)
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
D
e
p
t
h

(
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:




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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
L
a
t
i
t
u
d
e

(
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:
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(A)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000

(B)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000

(C)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000

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(D)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000

(E)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
Mediterranean
Atlantic Ocean
500
1000

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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
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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. 18
h
36
m
56.2
s
and Dec +38 47 1. 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:
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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
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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 )
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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)
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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 two
decimal 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)
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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 N
2
and an increase in CO
2
levels
(B) an increase in the Earth's atmospheric N
2
and reduction in CO
2
levels
(C) a reduction in the Earth's atmospheric CO
2
and an increase in O
2
levels
(D) an increase in the Earth's atmospheric CO
2
and a decrease in O
2
levels
(E) a reduction in both CO
2
and O
2
levels
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-a
Answer:

a b c
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33. Circle the specimen(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:
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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
3rd IESO Written Test
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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:
3rd IESO Written Test
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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)




p pa al lm m t tr re ee es s
Answer:
3rd IESO Written Test
26 / 35

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 low oxygen
atmosphere environment older than 2 billion years ? (1 pts)
(i) Photosynthetic prokaryotes
(ii) formation of banded-iron formations

3rd IESO Written Test
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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:



3rd IESO Written Test
28 / 35

(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
Compressional Extensional
Auxiliary
plane
Fault plane
Epicenter
Figure (a)
Pull
Push
Extensional
3rd IESO Written Test
29 / 35


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 east
Answer:
A
m
p
l
i
t
u
d
e

(
1
0
-
4

c
m
)

Figure (b)
2
1
0
1
-2
2
1
0
1
-2
2
1
0
1
-2
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
3rd IESO Written Test
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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:
3rd IESO Written Test
31 / 35

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 (m
3
sec
-1
)
Rainfall (mm)
(A) (B)
3rd IESO Written Test
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49. Connect the fault types with the correct figures. (2 pts)

Normal fault
Thrust fault
Dextral transverse fault
Sinistral transverse fault
3rd IESO Written Test
33 / 35

50. The figure below shows the variations of deuterium isotope (D), the atmospheric
concentrations of the CO
2
, CH
4
, and N
2
O 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 N
2
O, CH
4
, and CO
2
concentrations 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 CH
4
content 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
18
O is directly proportional to the ice volume on land (note the
scale on graph is inverted). When was the most recent time 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)
3rd IESO Written Test
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(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:

3rd IESO Written Test
35 / 35
The 3
rd
International Earth Science Olympiad


Mentors Signature:
Practical Test Geosphere
18 September 2009
Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:
3rd IESO Practical Test
1 / 13



]__j_j
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 4
th
Century BC


[|j[j__________
___|_
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.


3rd IESO Practical Test
2 / 13
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 studying
a 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 score will 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.
3rd IESO Practical Test
3 / 13
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:

3rd IESO Practical Test
4 / 13
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 a
dip 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
3rd IESO Practical Test
5 / 13
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:
3rd IESO Practical Test
6 / 13
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 2
nd
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
3rd IESO Practical Test
7 / 13

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

3rd IESO Practical Test
8 / 13
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:
3rd IESO Practical Test
9 / 13
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 labeled to . Please identify each
surface 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
3rd IESO Practical Test
10 / 13
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 the segments b and e to 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
3rd IESO Practical Test
11 / 13
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 the
Taiwan Grid position format (TM2) coordinate system.
3rd IESO Practical Test
12 / 13

3
4
2
0
0
0

3
4
2
3
0
0

3
4
2
6
0
0

3
4
2
9
0
0

3
4
2
2
0
0

3
4
2
0
0
0

3
4
2
3
0
0

3
4
2
6
0
0

3
4
2
9
0
0

3
4
2
2
0
0

2780300 2780000 2779700 2779400 279100
2780300 2780000 2779700 2779400 279100
II

II
II

II
II
II

II
VV

VV

00
00
00
00
00
M
a
p

3
r
d

I
E
S
O

P
r
a
c
t
i
c
a
l

T
e
s
t
1
3

/

1
3
The 3
rd
International Earth Science Olympiad


Mentors Signature:
Practical Test-Atmosphere
( Part I )
18 September 2009
Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:
3rd IESO Practical Test
1 / 9



]__j_j
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 4
th
Century BC


[|j[j__________
___|_
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.


3rd IESO Practical Test
2 / 9
Instructions for the practical test (Part I of Atmosphere):
1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover
page.
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 native
language, 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 the
question paper.
7. Any inappropriate examination behavior will result in your
withdrawal from the IESO.













3rd IESO Practical Test
3 / 9

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 here to start the Practical Test
3rd IESO Practical Test
4 / 9
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).


120

E
30

N
20

N
130

E
(A)
120

E
30

N
20

N
130

E
(A)
120

E
30

N
20

N
130

E
(H)
120

E
30

N
20

N
130

E
(B)
120

E
30

N
20

N 130

E
(I)
120

E
30

N
20

N 130

E
(C)
120

E
30

N
20

N 130

E
(I)
120

E
30

N
20

N 130

E
(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) is
indicated by the color scale below and the range rings are for radius of 75 km and 150
km. The location of the radar site is indicated by the triangle symbol.

75
150
75
150
(D)
75
150
75
150
(D)
75
150
75
150
(E)
75
150
(F)

Using Doppler radars, we can also detect the raindrop motion along the radar beam (or
radial) direction based on the Doppler-shift effect. To be specific, the radial velocity
detected by a Doppler radar is negative if raindrops move toward the radar; on the other
hand, the radial velocity detected by a Doppler radar is positive if raindrops move away
from the radar.
3rd IESO Practical Test
5 / 9
The relationship between true velocity and radar-detected radial velocity is shown in the
following picture. The true velocity is indicated by the green arrow. The positive (negative)
radial velocity detected by the radar is indicated by the red (blue) arrow.

















3rd IESO Practical Test
6 / 9
Below are three radar-observed radial velocity maps associated with the same three
weather conditions (cold front, typhoon, and monsoon flow of southwesterly wind).
The value of radial velocity (V
r
; in units of m s
-1
) detected by the radar is also indicated by
the color bar.

75
150
75
150
75
150
75
150
(G)
75
150
75
150
(H)

Click here for the bigger Fig.(G) Click here for the bigger Fig.(H) Click here for the bigger Fig.(I)

Please answer the following questions:

1. Using Figure (A) to Figure (I), complete the table below using appropriate figure codes
A to I for different weather conditions. (18 pts)


Typhoon Cold front
Monsoon flow with
Southwesterly wind
Satellite picture
Radar reflectivity picture
Radar radial velocity picture

2. For Points X, Y, and Z on Fig. (I), which one is the most likely location for the
circulation center? You can use the enlarged version of Fig. (I) to answer this question.
(6 pts)
Answer:





3rd IESO Practical Test
7 / 9
3. Use Fig. (I) to determine the values of the radar-observed radial velocity (V
r
) at Points
X and Z. You can use the enlarged version of Fig. (I) to answer this question. (10 pts)
Answer:




4. Use Fig. (I) to estimate the radius of maximum wind from the typhoon center. You can
use the enlarged version of Fig. (I) to answer this question. (6 pts)
Answer:




5. The horizontal winds around a typhoon can be decomposed (vector analyzed) into the
tangential wind (V
T
) and radial wind (V
R
) components. Below are the typical
tangential and radial wind components around a typhoon over the Northern
Hemisphere.
V
T
V
R
V
T
V
R


Assume that the radial inflow speed (V
R
) toward the typhoon center averaged along the
dashed circle is 30 percent of that of radar-observed radial velocity (V
r
) at Point Z on
Fig.(I) For simplicity, the geometry of typhoon circulation can be approximated by a
cylinder with radius R and vertical depth h. Assume that air density inside the
cylinder remains a constant value of 0.6 kg m
-3
.
3rd IESO Practical Test
8 / 9

The inward mass flux across the cylinder lateral surface (the gray surface in the above
diagram) by the radial inflow can be expressed as

h R V M
R in
) 2 ( =
,

where is density,
R
V is radial inflow speed, R is radius, and h is the height. Fig. (I)
shows the typhoon circulation with horizontal area indicated by dashed circles.
Calculate the mass flux (M
in
) across the cylinder lateral surface by the radial inflow in
units of kg s
-1
( 14 . 3 = ). For your calculations, use a radius of 30 km, a vertical
height of 8 km. (10 pts)
Answer:



3rd IESO Practical Test
9 / 9
The 3
rd
International Earth Science Olympiad


Mentors Signature:
Practical Test-Atmosphere
( Part II )
18 September 2009
Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:
3rd IESO Practical Test
1 / 8



]__j_j
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 4
th
Century BC


[|j[j__________
___|_
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.


3rd IESO Practical Test
2 / 8
Instructions for the practical test (Part II of Atmosphere):
Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover page.
The time allotted for this examination (Part II of Atmosphere) is 40
minutes.
Please write your answers legibly. Illegible answers will be counted as
incorrect.
Please keep your answers short and focus on the key points.
Please write your answers only on the white test booklet provided.
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, (1 pt).
For some questions, you will be asked to provide your answers on the
figures. Please do so carefully.
Any inappropriate examination behavior will result in your withdrawal
from the IESO.











3rd IESO Practical Test
3 / 8
2009 IESO Practical Test
(Atmosphere, Part II)
Atmospheric Humidity Measurement and Calculation (50 pts total)

Water vapor (H
2
O) in our atmosphere leads to cloud formation and precipitation in the
hydrological cycle. It is also an important greenhouse gas. Therefore, the ability to measure
the amount of water vapor (i.e., atmospheric humidity) accurately is very important. In this
practical test, you will use a psychrometer to measure the humidity and answer a total of 6
related questions.
You will need to complete the following tasks: [Task A] measure dry-bulb and
wet-bulb temperatures and calculate the wet-bulb depression, [Task B] calculate the
actual vapor pressure from your data, and [Task C] express your result as different humidity
variables. All of the methods and variables involved will be explained as you follow the
procedure described below.

[Task A] Measure dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures (T and T
w
) and calculate the
wet-bulb depression (D, and D = T T
w
) using a psychrometer.

A psychrometer (shown in Fig. 1) is a common
instrument used to measure humidity. It consists of
two identical thermometers, one measures the
dry-bulb (actual) temperature (T) and the second is
wrapped in a porous wick (i.e. threads of cloth).
When in use, the wick of this second thermometer is
moistened and exposed in air stream, and its reading
is called the wet-bulb temperature (T
w
). Please
follow the steps below to measure T and T
w
(see Fig.
2): During this process, great care should be taken to avoid any influence on the readings by
your presence. Also, be careful that the dry-bulb thermometer must remain dry.









Step 1: Open the small container at the bottom, and drip (add) water with the pipette to fully
Figure 1
dry-bulb thermometer
wet-bulb thermometer
wick
Figure 2a Figure 2b Figure 2c
3rd IESO Practical Test
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moisten the wick inside (Fig. 2a). Then close the cap.
Step 2: Pull and rotate the handle outward to 90 degrees. Swing the psychrometer gently (for
about 10 rounds) to increase airflow (Fig. 2b). Now the web-bulb temperature (T
w
)
should drop gradually.
Step 3: When the wet-bulb reading becomes steady, read both the dry-bulb and wet-bulb
temperatures (T and T
w
, both in C, Fig. 2c).

Question 1 (exercise): (20 pts)
Please repeat steps 1 to 3 three times and complete the table below (Table 1). Then,
calculate the mean values of T and T
w
, and use them to determine the web-bulb depression D
(where D = T T
w
). Please use C for all units, and take the readings to one decimal place. (2
pts each reading of T and T
w
, 4 pts for D)
Answer: Table 1: Result of psychrometer measurements (all in C).
First reading Second reading Third reading Mean
T
T
w

D

Question 2: (6 pts)
From your measurements, it should be clear that T
w
< T (i.e., D > 0). Which of the
following processes do you think is responsible for this result?
(A) Freezing (B) Condensation (C) Deposition
(D) Melting (E) Evaporation (F) Sublimation
Answer:

[Task B] Find the saturation vapor pressure (e
s
) at T
w
and calculate the actual vapor
pressure (e).

Humidity is measured by the vapor pressure (e) which is the partial pressure of water
vapor in the air. The value of e (in hPa, where 1 hPa = 100 Pa) can be determined from the
following equation:
D e e
sw
= , Equation (1)
where e
sw
is the saturation vapor pressure (in hPa) at web-bulb temperature T
w
, D is the
wet-bulb depression (in C), and is a constant at 0.66 hPa K
1
at sea level.



3rd IESO Practical Test
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Question 3: (6 pts)
Please find e
sw
from Table 2, and calculate the actual vapor pressure (e) using Equation
(1). Note that the saturation vapor pressure (e
s
) is only a function of temperature, as shown in
Table 2. Show your method and calculations clearly. Please include units in your calculation,
and give your answer to one digit below the decimal (1 decimal place).
Answer:






Table 2: Saturation vapor pressure over water (from Smithsonian Meteorological Tables)
* Example of how to read Table 2: For instance, to find out the saturation vapor pressure at 17.3C, go to the
row labeled 17 and the column labeled .3, so e
s
= 19.74 hPa.























3rd IESO Practical Test
6 / 8
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10

10 20 30 40
Temperature (C)
V
a
p
o
r

p
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
h
P
a
)

Curve of saturation
Question 4: (6 pts)
Assume that point A represents the initial state and point B represents the final state of
the cooling process of the air measured by the wet-bulb thermometer. In Fig. 3 below, please
plot the locations of points A and B with crosses (x). Then, draw an arrow connecting them to
indicate the cooling process. Please label both points and the direction of the arrow clearly.













Figure 3: The cooling process of air measured by the wet-bulb thermometer.

[Task C] Convert the humidity into mixing ratio (r) and relative humidity (RH).

Several other variables can also indicate atmospheric humidity, such as mixing ratio (r)
and relative humidity (RH). You will need to use the information provided below to calculate
r and RH. Show your method and calculations as clearly as possible. Include all appropriate
units.

Question 5: (6 pts)
The mixing ratio (r) is the ratio of the mass of water vapor to that of dry air. It is
therefore dimensionless. The relationship between r and vapor pressure (e) is:
e p
e
r

=

Equation (2)
where p is 1013.25 hPa, and is the ratio of the molecular weight of water vapor to that of dry
air ( = 0.622). In the space below, please calculate r and express it in units of g kg
1
(grams
per kilogram). Give your answer to one digit below decimal (1 decimal place).
Answer:


3rd IESO Practical Test
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Question 6: (6 pts)
The relative humidity (RH) is the ratio of actual vapor pressure (e) to the saturation
vapor pressure at the actual temperature (e
s
). It is expressed as a percentage (%) and
% 100 =
s
e
e
RH . Equation (3)
In the space below, please use Equation (3) to calculate RH (in %), and give your answer to
one digit below decimal (1 decimal place).
Answer:





3rd IESO Practical Test
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The 3
rd
International Earth Science Olympiad


Mentors Signature:
Practical Test - Astronomy
18 September 2009
Taipei, Taiwan

Student Name: Nationality:
3rd IESO Practical Test
1 / 11



]__j_j
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 4
th
Century BC


[|j[j__________
___|_
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.


3rd IESO Practical Test
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Instructions for the practical test (Astronomy):
Please write name and nationality in English on the cover page.
The time allotted for this examination is 1.5 hours.
Write your answers legibly. Illegible answers will not be graded.
Keep your answers short and focus on the key points.
Write your answers on the white test booklet provided. There is no separate
answer sheet.
You can use the calculator provided to perform the calculation.
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, (1 pt).
For some questions, you may be asked to provide your answer on the figures.
Please do so carefully.
Any inappropriate examination behavior will result in your withdrawal from
IESO.



3rd IESO Practical Test
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1. The rotation of the Sun
There are sunspots on the solar surface. They can be used to calculate the rate of the solar rotation,
based on a sunspots motion on the surface. The following figure shows the sunspots during June
30 - July 6, 2006 taken from the SOHO satellite images (listed in the following table). The
longitude is marked on the solar disc.
Date Time(h:m) Date Time(h:m)
6/30 17:36 7/04 18:05
7/01 19:02 7/05 17:36
7/02 17:36 7/06 20:12
7/03 17:36


3rd IESO Practical Test
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(1) Lets set June 30, 00:00 to be day 0.000, i.e. t = 0.000 for June 30, 00:00. Record t in
Table 1. (0.6 pts)
(2) Measure the longitude of the sunspot for each date marked, and record in Table 1. (1.2 pts)
Table 1
Time t(days) Longitude Time t(days) Longitude
6/30 17:36 0.733 -42.2 7/04 18:05
7/01 19:02 7/05 17:36
7/02 17:36 7/06 20:12
7/03 17:36

(3) Using the data in Table 1, plot longitude (in degrees) vs. time (in days) on the
graph paper on the next page. (4.2 pts)
(4) Draw a line of best fit on the graph.
(i) Calculate the slope of the line of best fit (straight line). (2 pts)
Answer:
(ii) Calculate the rotation period of the Sun. (2 pts)
Answer:
Note: Include the correct unit in both answers.
3rd IESO Practical Test
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3rd IESO Practical Test
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2. Telescope operations
Go to the telescopes that are already set up and look for the specification of the telescope and
two eyepieces.
(1) Complete the following Table. (1.2 pt)
Telescope Eyepieces
Aperture cm Type Focal length Magnification
Focal length mm mm
Focal ratio (f/) mm
** A judge will grade how you operate the telescope.
(2) Step-by-step operation (3.8 pts)
(3) Observing the Sun (3 pts)
Warning: You must not look at the Sun through a telescope or a finder
scope without the solar filter! Otherwise it will cause severe
damage to your eyes or permanent blindness.
If it is rainy or cloudy, find any distant building, then adjust the telescope to point to
the distant building, and adjust the focus to see it clearly.
(4) Taking a photo of the Sun (2 pts)
When you have finished the above procedure, raise your hand, and the judge will let you return to
your seat.
3rd IESO Practical Test
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3. Calculating the Earths precession
The Earth rotates as a top and Earths axis of
rotation traces out a cone with an angle shown

in

Figure

1. That means the Earths axis is moving
along a circle. This is called precession. The
celestial pole rotates about the fixed pole of the
ecliptic with a circle of radius about 23.5

and a
period of about 25,800 years.
Figure 1
Figure 2 (and a transparent sheet) is the region near Polaris. Figure 3 and Figure 4 are the star
tracks around Polaris on the nights of March 10, 1980 and May 20, 2009, respectively.

Figure 2

Star A
Star B
3rd IESO Practical Test
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F
i
g
u
r
e

3

T
h
e

r
e
g
i
o
n

o
f

P
o
l
a
r
i
s

a
t

M
a
r
c
h

1
0
,

1
9
8
0
.

3
r
d

I
E
S
O

P
r
a
c
t
i
c
a
l

T
e
s
t
9

/

1
1



Figure 4 The region of Polaris at May 20, 2009.
(1) Determine the position of the North Celestial Pole and mark it on
(i) March 10, 1980 (Figure 3) (2 pts)
(ii) May 20, 2009 (Figure 4) (2pts)
(2) Overlap the transparent sheet (Figure 2) with Figure 3, and mark the position of the
North Celestial Pole determined in Figure 3 on the transparent sheet using a marker
pen. (1 pt)
(3) Overlap the transparent sheet (Figure 2) with Figure 4, and mark the position of the
North Celestial Pole determined in Figure 4 on the transparent sheet using a marker
pen. (1 pt)
(4) Measure the interval, x, between the positions of the North Celestial Pole in 1980
and 2009 on the transparent sheet.
(i) x = ( ) mm (1 pt)
(ii) Use thex to calculate the Earths precession ( ) mm/year. (1 pt)
[show your calculation]






3rd IESO Practical Test
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(5) The angular separation of star A and star B in Figure 2 (or transparent sheet) is 6195.
Use this information to calculate the scale of Figure 2, ( ) arcsec/mm.
(1 pt)
[show your calculation]




(6) Use your results from the previous questions to calculate the Earths precession,
( ) arcsec/year. (1 pt)
[show your calculation]








3rd IESO Practical Test
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IESO 2010

ASTRONOMY
Students can use the table provided in the last page for solving the problems if necessary.
A. Multiple Choice
1. Suppose you see a new planet in the night sky. Based on observations, you find that the
planet is close to the Sun, with maximum elongation of 30 degrees. Given that the maximum
elongations of Venus and Mercury are 46 and 23 degrees respectively, you can conclude that :
a. the orbit of the planet is closer to the Sun than that of Mercury
b. the orbit of the planet is located between those of Mercury and Venus
c. the orbit of the planet is located between those of Venus and Earth
d. the position of the planet can not be determined from the given data
e. all the answers above are incorrect
[1 point]

2. For an astronaut who is standing on the surface of the Moon facing the Earth, which one of
the following statements is correct?
a. The Earth will always appear as a full disk
b. The length of one day and one night is equal to the synodic period of the Moon seen by an
observer on the Earth
c. The length of the day is half of the sidereal period of the Moon orbiting the Earth
d. The duration between Earth rise and Earth set is the same as the duration between New Moon
and Full Moon on the Earth
e. The surface of the Earth facing the Moon is always the same so that only one side of the Earth
is visible from the Moon
[1.5 points]



3. How would the length of the solar day change if the direction of the Earths rotation is
suddenly reversed while maintaining the direction of revolution?
a. It would be 4 minutes longer than before
b. It would be 4 minutes shorter than before
c. It would be 8 minutes longer than before
d. It would be 8 minutes shorter than before
e. It would not change, but remains the same as before
[1.5 points]
4. According to stellar evolution theory, the Sun will evolve into the red giant stage in a few
billion years. How would the average temperature on the surface of the Earth change compared
to the present temperature, in the time when the Sun becomes a red giant with a radius of
1.1210
7
km and its temperature drops to 2900 K ? Assume that the current radius of the Sun is
710
5
km, its surface temperature is 5800 K and neglect the possible change of the albedo of the
Earth.
a. Becomes four times the present temperature
b. Becomes twice the present temperature
c. Becomes half the present temperature
d. Becomes a quarter of the present temperature
e. No change
[2 points]

5. The parallax of a star measured on the Earth is 0.05 arc-seconds. Determine its parallax if we
measure it from Jupiter (heliocentric distance of Jupiter is 5.2 AU).
a. 1.00 arc- seconds
b. 0.52 arc- seconds
c. 0.33 arc- seconds
d. 0.26 arc- seconds
e. 0.15 arc- seconds
[1.5 points]



6. If the mass of the Sun increases by two times its present value, and the planets remain in their
present orbits, then the Earths period of revolution will be about:
a. 423 days
b. 365 days
c. 321 days
d. 258 days
e. 147 days
[1.5 points]


7. If the perihelion of comet Halley is 8.9 10
10
meters and its period is 76 years, then the
eccentricity of Halley is:

a. 0.567
b. 0.667
c. 0.767
d. 0.867
e. 0.967
[1.5 points]


8. A particular spectral line of a star is observed at 4999 . According to laboratory
experiments, this spectral line should appear at 5000 . What is the velocity of this star
relative to the observer?
a. 60 km/s approaching the observer
b. 60 km/s receding the observer
c. 75 km/s approaching the observer
d. 75 km/s receding the observer
e. The star does not move relative to the observer
[1.5 points]


B. Essay
1. Some time ago, there was a rumour that the planet Mars as seen from the Earth would appear
as big as the Moon (about 0.5). The following data are given. The semi-major axis and
eccentricity of the Earth are a
E
= 1 AU and e
E
= 0.017 respectively and those of Mars are a
M
=
1.5 AU, e
M
= 0.093, and the radius of Mars is R = 3393.4 km. Determine the maximum
angular diamater of Mars and justify the rumour (answer with a RIGHT or WRONG).
To answer these you have to
a. Draw a sketch of the situation.
b. Show the formula(s) that will be used.
c. Show the calculations and the final results.
[5 points]

2. On January 15, 2010, there was an annular eclipse, where at maximum 97% of Solar disk
was covered by the Moon. At that time the Earth was very close to its perihelion. The
following data are given. The semi major axis of the Earths orbit is 1.510
8
km, the solar
radius is 710
5
km, eccentricity 0.017 and the radius of the Moon is 1.73810
3
km.
What is the distance of the Moon from the Earth ?
(Show the formula(e), calculations and the final results)
[3 points]

Table of constants and units

Constants Symbols Values
Solar luminosity L

3.86 x 10
26
Js
-1
= 3.86 x 10
26
watt
Solar constant F

1.368 x 10
3
Jm
-2

Universal gravitational constant G 6.67 x 10
-11
Nm
2
kg
-2

Earths gravitational acceleration g 9.8 ms
-2

Earth mass M

5.98 x 10
24
kg
Lunar mass M

7.34 x 10
22
kg
Solar mass M

1.99 x 10
30
kg
Stefan-Boltzmann constant 5.68 x 10
-8
Js
-1
m
-2
K
-4

Astronomical Unit AU 1.496 x 10
11
m
Moon-Earth average distance D 3.84 x 10
8
m
Earth radius R

6.37 x 10
6
m
Solar radius R

6.96 x 10
8
m
Sidereal year 365.256 days = 3.16 x 10
7
s
Solar effective temperature T

5880 K
Light year Ly 9.5 x 10
15
m
Parsec pc 3.26 Ly
Speed of light c
3 x 10
8
m/s




GEOLOGY


1. The law of superposition explains that (1 point)
a. The lower stratum is older than the upper stratum.
b. The lower stratum is younger than the upper stratum.
c. If there is a disturbance, the lower stratum is older than the upper stratum.
d. If there is no disturbance, the lower stratum is older than the upper stratum.
e. The stratum is characterized by fossil content.

2. If we stand along a strike-slip fault, and if the left hand side block has moved towards
us, (1 point)
we call this a______________
a. Dextral strike-slip fault
b. Sinistral strike-slip fault
c. Normal fault
d. Thrust fault
e. Oblique fault.

3. The last mineral to form in the Bowens Reaction Series is ____________. (1 point)
a. Olivine
b. Quartz
c. Orthoclase
d. Biotite
e. Pyroxene.

4. Which fossil is usually found in Permo-Carboniferous rocks? (2 points)
a. Homo erectus
b. Mastodont
c. Eohippus
d. Nummulites
e. Fusulina

5. The Mohorovicic discontinuity is characterized by ______________. (2 points)
a. A change in seismic wave velocity
b. High temperature
c. Elevated gravity
d. Rayleigh wave attenuation
e. High pressure

6. ___________ is an ore mineral of aluminum. (2 points)
a. Bauxite
b. Garnierite
c. Pyrite
d. Chalcocite
e. Chalcopyrite

7. When did Pangea the supercontinent break up into Gondwana (2 points)
and Lauratia continents?
a. Silurian period
b. Cambrian period
c. Triassic period
d. Oligocene epoch
e. Eocene epoch

8. Which of the following is a character of river valley in its early stage? (2 points)
a. Alluvial fans
b. U-shaped cross section
c. V-shaped cross section
d. Flood plain
e. Meander

9.












The figure above shows several invertebrate fossils. The names of (2 points)
the fossils are:
a. 1=Ammonite 2= Blastoidea 3=Trilobite
b. 1= Blastoidea 2= Ammonite 3= Trilobite
c. 1= Trilobite 2= Ammonite 3=Blastoidea
d. 1=Trilobite 2= Blastoidea 3= Ammonite
e. 1= Blastoidea 2= Trilobite 3= Ammonite

10. Which of the following is not the landslide? (2 points)
a. Rockfall
b. Debris fall
c. Subsidence
d. Sliding
e. Mudflow

11. In stratigraphy, the grouping of sedimentary rocks based on (2 points)
their fossil content is called ______________.
a. Lithostratigraphy
b. Chronostratigraphy
c. Geochronology
d. Biostratigraphy
e. Sequence stratigraphy

12. The unconformity between the older igneous/metamorphic rocks and (1 point)
picasaweb.google.com
www.pifik.org www.bewareofdarwinistfalsehoods.com
the younger sedimentary rock is called ___________________.
a. Angular unconformity
b. Nonconformity
c. Paraconformity
d. Hiatus
e. Disconformity


13 . The Himalayan mountain started rising since the ____________. (1 point)
a. Pleistocene
b. Miocene
c. Jurassic
d. Eocene
e. Pliocene

14. Conglomerate is a sedimentary rock that consists of ____________. (1 point)
a. Round grains of size more than 2 mm
b. Round grains of size less than 2 mm
c. Angular grains less than 2 mm
d. Angular grains more than 2 mm
e. Round or angular grains cemented by SiO2 or CaCO3.


15. Based on the geologic cross-section given below, (3 points)
the chronology of the geologic events is:










a. Conglomerate - Shale sandstone limestone unconformity fault
granite
b. Granite fault unconformity limestone sandstone shale
conglomerate
c. Shale granite sandstone unconformity fault limestone
conglomerate
d. Shale sandstone fault limestone unconformity conglomerate
granite
e. Shale fault sandstone limestone unconformity conglomerate
granite

16. Limestone consists of calcium carbonate minerals. The most abundant calcium
carbonate mineral is ________________. (2 points)

17. Two major minerals in granite are _________________ and ___________________.
(2 points)

18. If we have a fault where the hanging wall has relatively moved down compared to the foot
wall, (1 point)
we call this fault a __________.
a. Dextral strike-slip fault
b. Sinistral strike-slip fault
c. Normal fault
d. Thrust fault
e. Oblique fault

19. According to the V rule, the stratum (in darker grey color) in the figure below strikes in
________ direction and dips in the _____________ direction. (2 points)


N









m



20. If you make a geologic section along the true dip in the figure given above, the cross
section should run in __________________ direction and the thickness of the stratum is
_________ m. (2 points)

















Page 2 of 6
21. Gravitational acceleration, g, at the surface of the earth can be formulated as
2
r
M
G g = where G = 6.673 x 10
-11
N.m
2
/kg
2
, M = 5.98 x 10
24
kg and r = the
distance from the Earths surface to its centre. If the gravity, g, at the mean sea
level (R = 6371 km) is 9.83 m/s
2
and the gravity value depends on elevation,
h, gravity value decreases with increasing elevation as per the formula _____ .
(Note: 1 cm/s
2
= 1 gal). Write the calculation procedure. (2 points)










Page 3 of 6

22. The mathematical formula for seismic refraction in 2-layer systems shows that
the travel time of seismic waves, t, is dependant on its propagation distance, x.

2 1 2
2 / 1 2
1
2
2 1
) ( 2
V
x
V V
V V h
t +

=

where t is the travel time of seismic waves (second)
h
1
is the thickness of 1
st
layer
x is the distance of seismic wave
propagation
V
1
is the seismic velocity in 1
st
layer
V
2
is the seismic velocity in 2
nd
layer
The seismic velocity of layers, V
1
and V
2
, and the
thickness of layer, h, are constant. The seismic refraction
data are given in Table 1. Determine the seismic velocity of the 1
st
and 2
nd

layers, V
1
and V
2
, respectively (2 points)
- Write the calculation procedure. (2 points)
- Calculate h
1
(1 point)

x (m) t (ms)
2 4
4 10
6 12
8 19
10 24
12 27
14 30
16 31
18 32
20 34
22 36
24 39
Table 1. Seismic
Refraction Data
Page 4 of 6
23. Tthe number of earthquake events (N) and their magnitude (M) are related as
follows:

log N = a b M

The graph associated with the
above equation is shown in
Figure 1 for such an
earthquake which occurred at
Padang, West Sumatra. The
parameter a is a constant
representing the number of
earthquakes which have
magnitude higher than 1 on the
Richter scale. Similarly, b is a value that represents the ratio of the number of
small to big eartquakes. If the value of b is 1, determine the ratio of the
number of earthquakes (with magnitude 5) to the number of earthquakes (with
magnitude 7) on the Richter scale (2 points).

Figure 1. The graph of number (N) of earthquakes
versus its magnitude (M) of Padangs event.
b = 1
M
Padangs earthquake
Page 5 of 6
24. An earthquake was recorded at four seismic stations in Central Java,
Indonesia. Figure 2 shows the locations of the seismic stations: AE2 (7.7 S;
109.5 E), AG2 (7.6 S; 110.0 E), BH2 (7.5 S; 110.4 E), and AK4 (8.2 S; 110.9
E). Figure 3 displays the seismograms recorded at the seismic stations. If the
average longitudinal (P) wave velocity, V
p
, is 6.4 km/s and the average
transversal (S) wave velocity, V
s
, is 3.7 km/s, determine the epicenter of the
earthquake. Write the calculation procedure and draw your graphical solution
in Figure 2. (1 degree = 111 km). (5 points)

P
a
g
e

6

o
f

6

A

G
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o
g
l
e

E
a
r
t
h

M
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C
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a
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a
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a
,

I
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d
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s
i
a


F
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e

2
.

L
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a
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s
m
i
c

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t
a
t
i
o
n
s

A
E
2
,

A
G
2
,

B
H
2
,

a
n
d

A
K
4

w
h
i
c
h

r
e
c
o
r
d
e
d

t
h
e

e
a
r
t
h
q
u
a
k
e
.
Page 7 of 6















25. Figures 4 and 5 show total intensity of geomagnetic field and its inclination
maps in 2005. Draw in the following figure total magnetic field vector (direction
and magnitude of intensity) measured at Equador and Yogyakarta.






Figure 3. Seismograms of the earthquake recorded at seismic stations AE2, AG2, BH2, and
AK4.

P
P
P
P
S
S
S
S
AE2
AG2
BH2
AK4
Seismograms from stations AE2, AG2, BH2, and AK4
Page 1 of 9
Intructions:
1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover page.
2. The time allocated for this examination is three hours.
3. Please write your answer 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 in this test booklet.
a. Encircle or mark the answer of your choice.
b. Write essay-type answers where indicated by the question, and
c. Use extra paper provided by the committee for calculation.
6. You may answer the questions 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 answers on the figures.
Please do so carefully.
9. Any inappropriate examination behaviour will result in your removal.
Page 2 of 9

METEOROLOGY

1. One of the following is NOT a term for atmospheric divisions/subdivisions (5
points)
(a) thermosphere
(b) ionosphere
(c) cryosphere
(d) heterosphere
(e) homosphere.

2. With regard to atmospheric electricity, which statement is correct? (5 points)
(a) Lightning always strikes from cloud to ground
(b) Cloud particles are always negatively charged
(c) Lighting sometimes strikes from the top of the cloud to the ionosphere
(d) Electrical charges (+ and -) are evenly distributed inside a thunderstorm cloud
(e) All the above statements are true.


Page 3 of 9
3. (A). The temperature and relative humidity of an air parcel at 1013 hPa are 30
0
C
and 53.65% respectively. Given 10
0
C/km as the dry adiabatic lapse rate for the
tropical region, determine the height of the condensation level. (10 points)

Temperature Degrees Celsius
Vapor (g) per Kilogram of Dry
Air
50 88.12
40 49.81
30 27.69
20 14.85
10 7.76
0 3.84

(B). What is the temperature of the air parcel when it arrives at the mountain
slope at a height of 2539 m? Assume that the saturated adiabatic lapse rate
for tropical region is 6.5
0
C/km. (10 points)

(C). Calculate the temperature and relative humidity of the air parcel after
passing over the top of the mountain (height of 3308 m) and then moving
down to the initial pressure level (1013 hPa) on the other side of the
mountain. (15 points)



Page 4 of 9
4. Wind speed measurements at the Equator in Pontianak, West Kalimantan,
Indonesia, give an average value of 20 m/s. If the pressure difference between two
nearest isobars, separated by a distance of 800 km, is 8 hPa and the air density is
0.364 kg/m
3
, how large is the Coriolis force per unit mass in that site? (3 points)
(a) 0.02 ms
-2

(b) 1.37 x 10
-4
ms
-2

(c) 0 ms
-2

(d) 1.37 x 10
-6
ms
-2

(e) 1.37 ms
-2


5. Refer to the diagram of a mature wave cyclone in Figure 6. Which one of the
stations listed below has the least likelihood of rain and cloud cover? (6 points)
(a) point A
(b) point H
(c) point B
(d) point I
(e) point G


Figure 6. Mature wave cyclone diagram (contours are isobar)


6. At a location where the Coriolis parameter f 10
-4
s
-1
, a geostrophic wind speed of
5 ms
-1
is observed blowing to the west. Which pressure gradient force per unit mass
is corresponding to the geostrophic wind? : (6 points)
(a) 510
-4
ms
-2

(b) 0.005 ms
-2

(c) -0.00005 ms
-2

(d) -510
-4
ms
-2

(e) 0.00005 ms
-2


Page 5 of 9

7. Look at the figure below

Figure 7. Illustration for essay question 7
Three air parcels A, B, and C are placed at altitudes of 5, 15, and 30 km as shown in
the figure above. If the parcels are displaced vertically upward, predict the
responses/trajectories of the parcels. (10 points)

Parcel Responses*
A
B
C
*) Provide your answers using the following symbols :
: keeps moving upward
: stays at new altitude
: oscillates around the original altitude
Page 6 of 9

8. According to Ramage, the Maritime Continent of Indonesia is in a monsoon region.
During the Indonesian west monsoon (season), the main wind over the Sangihe
Talaud Islands (5
0
30 23 N 126
0
34 35 E) just south of the Philippines is mostly
(3 points)
(a) Westerly
(b) Easterly
(c) Southerly
(d) Northeasterly
(e) Southwesterly

9. Figure 8 below is the Indonesian annual rainfall type map. It shows that the western
part of Sumatra (coastal area) has the equatorial rainfall type even though some
areas are located some distance from the equator. Choose the best explanation for
this phenomenon from the options below. (6 points)
(a) Under the influence of the Indonesia-Australia Monsoon
(b) Combination effects of the orography of the Bukit Barisan mountain range and
the Indian Ocean
(c) Because of the South China Sea
(d) Because of the activity of tropical cyclones
(e) Under the influence of the Indonesian through flow.
P
a
g
e

7

o
f

9


F
i
g
u
r
e


8
.

I
n
d
o
n
e
s
i
a
n

A
n
n
u
a
l

R
a
i
n
f
a
l
l

T
y
p
e

M
a
p

Page 8 of 9

10. Greenhouse gases are transparent to visual radiation and not transparent to infrared
radiation. Sequence the gases according to their radiative forcings, starting from the
largest impact. (6 points)
(a) CO
2
, CH
4
, H
2
O, NO
2

(b) H
2
O, CH
4
, CO
2
, NO
2

(c) H
2
O, CO
2
, CH
4
, NO
2

(d) CO
2
, H
2
O, NO
2
, CH
4

(e) None is true.


11. When you attempt to predict the weather for the next 25 minutes by assuming that
conditions in general will not change during that time, you would employ (3 points)
(a) persistence forecasting
(b) statistical forecasting.
(c) historical forecasting.
(d) numerical forecasting.
(e) synoptic forecasting.
Page 9 of 9
12. Look at figure 9.


Figure 9. Ceilometer for essay question 40

It is a ceilometer, the device to measure the elevation of cloud ceiling. It consists of
a projector and detector. The projector has two lamps that each emit a focused
beam through a shutter. The focusing mirrors and lamps rotate, so the beams are
transmitted as pulses, shining at an angle onto the base of the cloud. The detector
responds electronically to a series of pulses at the predetermined frequency. The
height of the cloud base is calculated trigonometrically from angles of the
transmitted and reflected beams and the known distance between the projector and
the detector. A ceilometer can measure cloud bases up to 3000 m during the day
and up to about 6000 m at night.

If the distance b between the projector and the detector of a ceilometer is fixed at 20
m and the angle between the transmitted beam and the reflected beam onto a
cloud is 0.5 deg, calculate the distance d to the base of the cloud.
(12 points)

Page 1 of 3
Oceanography
For the following questions please choose the best of the possible answers.

1. What causes ocean layering? (10pnt)
a. Polar ice caps
b. Currents
c. Density differences
d. Waves
e. Evaporation and precipitation

2. The oceans can absorb a large amount of solar energy without significant increases in
temperature. This is primarily because .. (10 pnt)
a. there is a huge volume of sea water.
b. the evaporation latent heat of water is relativly small.
c. the sea surface does not reflect the incoming heat.
d. the Heat capacity of sea water is relativly high
e. the large amount of salt in sea water.

3. Which is the best statement about concentration of O
2
in the seawater? (10 pnt)
a. The concentration of O
2
in the surface layer is higher than in deeper layers.
b. The concentration of O
2
during winter is higher than during the summer.
c. The concentration of O2 in the high latitude areas is higher than in tropical areas.
d. Answer (a) and (b) are correct.
e. Answer (a),(b), and (c) are correct.





Page 2 of 3

4. The ocean budget depends on evaporation and precipitation. These effects influence
surface salinity. Based on this figure, explain why salinity in tropical waters is lower than
sub tropical waters. (20pnt)





5. Match the corresponding currents listed below by letter to the correct location on the
following map. (20 pnt)

(A) Alaska current
(B) Peru current
(C) North Atlantic current
(D) Brazil current
(E) Falkland current



6.



Labrador current
California
current
Equatorial. Counter
Current
East Australian current
West Wind drift
North. Pasific
current
North. Equatorial.
Current
South Equatorial.
Current
West Australian
Current
Page 3 of 3

6. Recently it has been discovered that floating trash is concentrating in specific areas of
the oceans. These areas are located in the gyres or areas of circulating currents. (See
map above #55) The plastic trash is estimated to remain concentrated in these areas for
many hundreds of years into the future before it breaks down photo-chemically. One
gyre has an Island of trash twice the size of the state of Texas.

The picture below is a sketch of a gyre.
1) Where is this type of the gyre found?
A) in the Northern Hemisphere, or
B) in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. (Answer: A or B). (10 pnt)









2) According to the circle diagram above, complete the following sketch of water mass
profile movement across the centre of the gyre. Show vertical motion of the water (if
any). (20 pnt)

Surface water
Deep water
1000 m
2000 km

IESO 2010
Astronomy Practical Test
Yogyakarta, 19-28 September 2010


Plan A; Good weather
Time: 15 minutes

Problem:
Night observation using telescope with eye piece (coordinates of the
location: South 07 55.0144, East 110 34.344). Find and look carefully
J upiter (RA: 23h 56m 32s; Dec: -02
0
0659) and Galilean satellites
a. Please select a suitable (provided) eye-piece for viewing all
Galilean satellites in one field of view
(20 points)
b. Draw the positions of J upiter satellites with the proper orientation
on the provided answer sheet. How many satellites of J upiter are
seen?
(60 points)
c. Give marking the N-S and E-W directions on your answer sheet
(20 points)

Plan B: Bad weather
Time: 10 menit

Problem:
1. Mark by names or numbers (1, 2 and 3) on the printed sky map, the
positions of the bright stars as listed below (15 minutes)
1. Antares (Alpha Scorpii)
(RA: 16h 29m 24.461s; Dec: -26
0
25 55.209)
2. Vega (Alpha Lyra)
(RA: 18h 36m 56.336s; Dec: +38
0
47 01.290)
3. Arcturus (Alpha Bootis)
(RA: 14h 15m 39.672s; Dec: +19
0
10 56.67)
(total point for three stars 40)

2. Draw the ecliptic line in the map and identify the position of Mars
(10 for ecliptic and 10 for Mars)
3. Calculate the hour angle of J upiter (RA: 23h 56m 32s; Dec: -02
0
0659) in
the sky at 8.00 PM local time. (coordinates of the location : South 07
55.0144, East 110 34.344 )
(20)



(5 minutes)
4. Point the telescope to the direction of J upiter (RA: 23h 56m 32s; Dec: -
02
0
0659) and show to the jury (coordinates of the location : South 07
55.0144, East 110 34.344 )
(20)

Instrctions:
1. Please write your name, your code and nationality in English on the cover page
2. The total time allocated for this practical test is about 15 minutes
3. Read the entire question carefully before starting to answer
4. Please write your answer on this practical test sheet

Students code: ..


Eye-piece: . mm N-S & E-W directions
Number of satellite(s) seen : ..





1

PRACTICAL TEST FOR IESO 2010
DLINGO AREA, BANTUL REGENCY, YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
Wednesday, September 22, 2010


INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover pages
2. The total time allocated for this practical test is about 45 minutes for every
student.
3. Please write your answer legibly. Illegible answers will be counted as incorrect.
4. Please write your answers only on this practical test sheet. Please encircle the
most appropriate answer.
5. Read the entire question carefully before answering.
6. Please handover the competed practical test sheet to member of the organizing
committee at the location.
2


PRACTICAL TEST FOR IESO 2010
DLINGO AREA, BANTUL REGENCY, YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
Wednesday, September 22, 2010

PROBLEM SETS
Location 1 (4 minutes): 8 points
1. Using the hand lens provided to you observe the igneous rock within the marked area and
identify two main minerals in the rock.
a. Plagioclase and pyroxene
b. Plagioclase and biotite
c. Quartz and pyroxene
d. Quartz and hornblende
e. Hornblende and pyroxene

2. Observe the petrological characteristics and identify the igneous rock
a. Andesite
b. Rhyolite
c. Granite
d. Diorite
e. Gabbro

3. By observing the whole part of the outcrop in this area identify the igneous rock body
a. A fragment in conglomerate
b. An exotic block in meta-breccia
c. A part of groundmass of the igneous rock
d. An inclusion in the volcanic rock
e. A fragment in volcanic breccia

3

Location 2 (5 minutes): 10 points

4. Please observe the rock components at this Location. Identify at least two types of
included rock fragments:
a. Basalt and dolomite
b. Andesite and tuff
c. Andesite and limestone
d. Basalt and quartzite
e. Basalt and shale

5. Please carefully observe by naked-eye and/or using the hand lens identify the rock
fragment (shown by arrow).
a. Quartzite
b. Tuff
c. Coral
d. White marl
e. Phyllite

6. By observing the entire outcrop identify the rock type
a. Volcanic breccia
b. Brecciated andesite
c. Conglomerate
d. Fault breccia
e. Fanglomerate
4

Location 3 (6 minutes): 12 points
7. Identify the geological structure at this Location by careful observation.
a. Normal fault
b. Dextral strike-slip fault
c. Sheared joint
d. Thrust fault
e. Oblique fault

8. By using your compass, please measure the direction of dip of the plane of the geological
structure identified in Question 7.
a. Northeast
b. Southwest
c. Southeast
d. Northwest
e. West

9. The strike/dip angle of the bedding plane is about (Note: acceptable error is 5)
a. N 15 E/45
b. N 50 W/45
c. N 75 E/15
d. N 60 W/45
e. N 45 E/15


5

Location 4 (3 minutes): 6 points
10. Sedimentary structures identified in the rock marked by arrows A, B, and C.
a. A = Scouring B = ripple mark C = lenticular bedding
b. A = Cast B = lamination C = Cross bedding
c. A = Convolute bedding B = lamination C = flame structure
d. A = Flame structure B = lenticular bedding C = burrow
e. A = Ripple mark B = lenticular bedding C = convolute bedding
6

Location 5 (3 minutes): 6 points
11. Please observe the sedimentary structure present in the marked area and its vicinity, and
identify it.
a. Ripple mark
b. Cross bedding
c. Flame structure
d. Convolute bedding
e. Slump structure
7

Location 6 (4 minutes): 8 points
12. The rock at this Location is predominantly composed of the following rock fragments
a. Andesite and dacite
b. Dacite and granite
c. Basalt and syenite
d. Diorite and gabbro
e. Rhyolite and basalt

13. Please identify the rock type at this Location.
a. Intrusive breccia
b. Fault breccia
c. Volcanic breccia
d. Agglomerate
e. Brecciated igneous rock


8

Location 7 (3 minutes): 6 points
14. Three types of rock fragment identified in the rock at this location are
a. Marl, tuff and lignite
b. Tuff, claystone and charcoal
c. Limestone, tuff and coal
d. Tuff, lapilli and lignite
e. Tuff, chalk and charcoal
9

Location 8 (6 minutes): 12 points
15. Two main rock fragment types observed in the rock at this Location include
a. Tuff and lignite
b. Tuff and charcoal
c. Chalk and coal
d. Tuff and peat
e. Limestone and charcoal

16. Please observe the marked area on the outcrop and identify the rock type.
a. Agglomerate
b. Volcanic siltstone
c. Tuff-enriched siltstone
d. Coarse-grained sandstone
e. Pumice breccia

17. On the basis of the orientation measurement of rock fragments, the paleocurrent direction
in the formation of this sedimentary rock was
a. Westward
b. Northward
c. Southeastward
d. Southwestward
e. Northeastward
LABORATORY TEST FOR IESO 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover pages
2. This laboratory test is conducted with an objective to test the skill of
identifying specimens consisting of 5 minerals, 5 igneous rocks, 5
sedimentary rocks, 5 metamorphic rocks and 5 volcanic rocks as well as 10
fossils, 5 geological structures, and 6 geomorphological features.
3. The time allocated for identifying each specimen is 2 minutes.
4. Please write your answer legibly. Illegible answers will be counted as
incorrect.
5. Please write your answers only on this laboratory test sheet, by
choosing/matching the correct answer provided in the Choices column of
the Answer sheet.

ANSWER SHEET
A. Minerals 5 points
No. Sample
Code
Name of Mineral Choices
1 I A. Gypsum
2 II B. Apatite
3 III C. Biotite
4 IV D. Garnet
5 V E. Muscovite
F. Sulfur
G. Quartz
H. Phlogopite
I. Plagioclase
J. Anhydrite
K. Orthoclase
L. Hornblende
M. Pyroxene
N. Olivine
O. Calcite












ANSWER SHEET
B. Rocks 40 points
No. Sample
Code
Name of Rock Choices
1 1 A. Andesite Breccia
2 2 B. Gneiss
3 3 C. Volcanic Breccia
4 4 D. Rhyolite
5 5 E. Red Slate
6 6 F. Quartz Conglomerate
7 7 G. Crystalline
Limestone
8 8 H. Mica Schist
9 9 I. Agglomerate
10 10 J. Sandstone
11 11 K. Pumice
12 12 L. Obsidian
13 13 M. Tuff
14 14
N. Pumice Breccia/Ignimbrite
15 15 O. White Marble
16 16 P. Phyllite
17 17 Q. Biotite Granite
18 18 R. Diorite
19 19 S. Pegmatite
20 20 T. Quartzite
U. Syenite
V. Basalt
W. Andesite
X. Granodiorite
Y. Peridotite
Z. Lapili
AA. Chalky Limestone
BB. Monzonite
CC. Olivine Gabbro
DD. Eclogite
EE. Migmatite
FF. Claystone


ANSWER SHEET
C. Fossils 16 points
No. Sample
Code
Name of Fossil Choices
1 A A. Balanus
2 B B. Pelecypoda
3 C C. Turitella
4 D D. Ammonite
5 F E. Heliophyllum
6 H F. Brachiopoda
7 I G. Arachnida
8 J H. Echinodermata
I. Busycon
J. Murex
K. Zaphrentis
L. Nautilus
M. Coral
N. Scaphopoda
O. Acropora
P. Trilobita
Q. Ostracoda











ANSWER SHEET
D. Geological Structures 10 points
No. Sample
Code
Type of Structure Choices
1 SG 01 A. Normal Fault
2 SG 02 B. Thrust Fault
3 SG 03 C. Oblique Fault
4 SG 04 D. Dextral strike-slip
fault
5 SG 06 E. Sinistral strike-slip
fault
F. Unconformity

G. Nonconformity

H. Plunging Anticline
I. Fold
J. Joint













ANSWER SHEET
E. Geomorphology 6 points
No. Sample
Code
Name of Geomorphologic
Unit
Choices
1 A A. Incised River
2 B B. Eroded Dome
3 C C. Estuary
4 D D. Karst Topography
5 E E. Alluvial Fan
6 F F. Cuesta
G. Barrier Islands
H. Meandering River
I. Delta
J. Eroded Anticline
K. Spit
L. Eroded volcano




Practical Test Atmosphere

Meteorological observation is the basis of atmospheric science. Such observations are made for a
variety of reasons. Observations made primarily for providing information for weather forecasts are
termed synoptic.
Synoptic observations are more frequent and more detailed, and are encoded for immediate
transmission to forecasting centres.

1. Inspect all instruments inside and outside the meteorological screen marked by A,B,C,D,and E and put
check mark ( ) in the table below to match the instruments and meteorological parameters to
measure. (20 points)

Instruments Parameters to
measure
A B C D E
Temperature
Wind speed
Wind direction
Net Radiation
Precipitation
Relative Humidity
Air pressure



2. Observe at the Central Java map given below: (40 points)



The star marks are the locations of meteorological stations in central Java, and the table on the next page
provides the sinoptic data at these stations.


synoptic code
station area
IIiii Nddff
VVwwW
PPPTT
N
h
C
L
C
M
C
H

T
d
T
d
9RR
A Tegal 96797 81115 ///// 10130 ///// 239//
B Pekalongan 80910 ///// 103// ///// //9//
C Semarang 96839 2//// ///// 10728 ///// 209//
D Kudus 50510 ///// ///27 ///// 219//
E Surakarta 96845 31205 ///// 02326 ///// 209//
F Solo 96633 21305 ///// 99023 ///// 209//
G Yogyakarta 96853 11310 ///// 030// ///// //9//
H Borobudur 11110 ///// 04527 ///// 219//
I Wadaslintang 41005 ///// 99524 ///// 199//
J Cilacap 96805 0//// ///// 11131 ///// 259//

Draw the synoptic symbol on the map given in the next page. Give the synoptic symbols only for those
stations which have the index numbers.

Explanation of the code:
IIiii = Five digit of Country code

Nddff = Cloud Cover in octas, wind direction (x10 degree), wind speed (knots)
1 knots ~ 0.5 m/sec

VVwwW = Visibility, current weather, past weather

PPPTT = Air Pressure, Surface Temperature (degree Celsius)

NhCLCMCH = Cloud Height from the ground

TdTd9RR = Dew point, No significant number, Rainfall





3. Tables 1 and 2 below provide on wind observations (wind direction and wind velocity) for Lapangan
Pancasila observation station. Using these data, calculate the frequency distribution and draw on rose
diagram for the site using 5 knots (1 knots ~ 0.5 m/sec) velocity intervals (40 points).

Table 2 Table 1



























DEGREE DIRECTION
337.6 22.5 N
22.6 67.5 NE
67.6 112.5 E
112.6 157.5 SE
157.6 202.5 S
202.6 247.5 SW
247.6 292.5 W
292.6 337.5 NW
direction velocity
(degree) (knots)
1 250 13
2 200 8
3 - 0
4 290 2
5 249 18
6 123 9
7 284 7
8 266 3
9 135 13
10 - 0
11 - 0
12 - 0
13 271 14
14 137 12
15 141 9
16 189 3
17 277 7
18 253 4
19 289 3
20 255 17
21 283 9
22 154 8
23 193 7
24 - 0
25 263 12
26 259 2
27 - 0
28 275 1
29 120 13
30 280 19
no.
Frequency count
Directions / Wind Classes
(knots)
1 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 Total
1 337.6 - 22.5
2 22.6 67.5
3 67.6 112.5
4 112.6 157.5
5 157.6 202.5
6 202.6 247.5
7 247.6 292.5
8 292.6 337.5
Sub-Total
Calms
Total



Frequency distribution in percents (%)
Directions / Wind Classes
(knots)
1 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 Total
1 337.6 - 22.5
2 22.6 67.5
3 67.6 112.5
4 112.6 157.5
5 157.6 202.5
6 202.6 247.5
7 247.6 292.5
8 292.6 337.5
Sub-Total
Calms
Total



IESO 2011
Name_________________________ Country_______________
Instructions:
1. Please write your name and nationality in English on the cover
page.
2. The time allocated or this e!amination is our hours.
". Please write your answers legi#ly. Illegi#le answers will #e
counted as
incorrect.
$. Please %eep your answers short and ocus on the %ey points.
&. 'ou may respond to (uestions either in English) your native
language)
or a com#ination o #oth.
*. +ead the entire (uestion group careully #eore starting to
answer.
Each (uestion has a point value assigned) or e!ample) ,1 pt-.
.. /or some (uestions) you will #e as%ed to provide your answers
on the
igures. Please do so careully.
0. 1ny inappropriate e!amination #ehaviour will result in your
withdrawal
rom the IE23.
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
GEOSPHERE written test IESO 2011
Name__________________________
Country ________________________
1. Based on Ruddiman (2001), the gloal temperature !lu"tuation "an e
distinguished into !our di!!erent time s"ales due to di!!erent me"hanisms# $se the
!ollowing !igures pro%ided# &hi"h !igure est shows the !lu"tuation o! temperature in
'ntar"ti"a i"e "ore re"ords during more than one intergla"ial phase#( _/1 pt
(') )ig# A (! "i#$ (*) )ig# * (+) )ig# +
2. Sea!loor drilling and seismi" anal,sis re%eal a thi"- la,er o! salt at a "ertain depth
in a %er, large part o! the .editerranean Sea# &hat "an ,ou "on"lude !rom these
oser%ations( _/0$% pt
1
a) The .editerranean Sea has an important e"onomi" %alue that has not een
e/ploited ,et#
&! '(ere was a perio) w(en t(e *e)iterranean Sea a+most )rie)
out$
") The .editerranean Sea is %er, ,oung#
d) The .editerranean Sea is a reli" o! the Teth,s Sea#
3. In the !ield, ,ou !ound an out"rop with three hori0ontal unde!ormed la,ers, one
ao%e the other# The lower unit is a la,er o! +olomite, the middle la,er is asalt, and
the upper la,er is 1imestone # &hi"h o! the !ollowing oser%ations would lead ,ou to
the "on"lusion that the asalt is a la%a !low( _/1 pt
a) There are 2a-ing signs3 onl, in the lower part o! the limestone la,er#
) There are 2a-ing signs3 in the lower part o! the dolomite la,er#
,! '(ere are -&a.in# si#ns/ on+y in t(e upper part o0 t(e )o+omite
+ayer$
d) 'll o! the ao%e#
4. To whi"h ","le o! matter is 1imestone "onne"ted( _/01% pt
a) 4hosphorus ","le
) Car&on ,y,+e
") Sul!ur ","le
d) 5itrogen ","le
5. The reason that the magneti" anomal, stripes o! the same age are wider in the
4a"i!i" o"ean than the 'tlanti" O"ean is6 _/01% pt
a! '(e rate o0 ma#mati, intrusions at t(e East Pa,i0i, Rise is 0aster
t(an t(e rate o0 t(is pro,ess at t(e *i)2At+anti, Ri)#e$
&! The .id7'tlanti" Ridge is lo"ated e/a"tl, in the middle o! the o"ean and there!ore
the rate o! the opening o! the ridge is e8ual on oth sides#
,! The 4a"i!i" O"ean is older than the 'tlanti" O"ean#
)! The ring o! !ire around the 4a"i!i" O"ean redu"es the rate o! re%ersals o! the
Earth9s magneti" !ield#
6. +uring the last three illion ,ears the main internal energ, sour"e o! the Earth
has een6 _/01% pt
a) The pressure o! "olumns o! ro"- and o"ean#
) The !ri"tion that o""urs at the plate oundaries#
2
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
") Ra)ioa,ti3e )e,ay o0 isotopes$
d) The radiation o! the sun#
7. In the Botta""ione Gorge, near Guio (Ital,), there is an out"rop o! interest# It
"ontains a thin "la, la,er with signi!i"ant geo"hemi"al anomalies su"h as high iridium
"on"entrations# It is dated to an numeri"al age o! :;#; .a# &hi"h "hronostratigraphi"
oundar, "orresponds to this la,er( _/1 pt$
a! Creta,eous/'ertiary
&! 1ower *reta"eous<$pper*reta"eous
,! 4aleo"ene<Eo"ene
)! *amrian<4re7*amrian
8. $se the two graphi"s elow# On the le!t is a geologi" map o! a region where north is to
the top o! the map# On the right is a topographi" se"tion along line a to # *ontours are
in meters# ' stru"ture is shown in gre,#
=
&hi"h o! the !ollowing is the true stri-e, dip and thi"-ness o! gre, strata !rom the map(
4lease note that there are two methods used to show stri-e6 8uadrant method designated
, (>) and a0imuth or magneti" earing method designated , (')# The "hart shows
them oth as > and '# 2 pt $
choice Strike Dip
(degrees
)
Thickne
ss (m.)
A Q N-S
A 180 degrees
45 70 to 75
B Q S 60 degrees E
A 120 degrees
45 90 to 100
C Q E - W
A 90 degrees
30 70 to 75
D Q N-S
A 180 degrees
30 90 to 100
?
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
9. &hi"h one o! the !ollowing minerals is used as a gem in @ewelr,, is used as an
industrial arasi%e, is a sili"ate, and has an isometri" mineral s,mmetr,# *ir"le the est
answer ao%e#_/01% pt$
a# 8uart0 # iotite "# Aornlende d# rutile e# garnet
!# ortho"lase g# "al"ite h# halite i# er,l @# diamond
-# asalt l# garo m# andesite n# granite o# rh,olite
p# shale 8# marle r# slate s# "hal- t# "hert
10. The !ollowing stratigraphi" se"tions show two "ross se"tions whi"h are lo"ated near
ea"h other# S,mols a and a9 represent an igneous ro"- and to e represent
sedimentar, ro"-s# 'nswer the !ollowing 8uestion# _/01% pt
&hi"h ro"- is older, a or a9( BBBBBBB
11. The pre"ipitation o! whi"h o! the !ollowing minerals is regulated , the "on"entration
o! *O
2
in the solution( _/01% pt$
;
a) haliteC ) g,psumC ") apatiteC )! ,a+,ite4 e) opalC !) ar,tes#
12. The !ollowing tale shows e/planation o! ro"-s and their !ormation en%ironment#
*hoose the one that has the "orre"t relationship etween !ormation en%ironment and ro"-
t,pe# _/1 pt
Ro"-
name
.a"ros"opi" oser%ation )ormation en%ironment
1 1imeston
e
Sand si0e grains, spheri"al to
ellipti"al grain shape, edded
In the "rust se%eral -m elow the
sur!a"e
2 Granite )ine grained, !oliated,
o""urren"e o! light and dar-
grains together
In the "rust where magma "ools
slowl,
= Basalt *oarse to %er, "oarse grained,
dar- "olor, o""urren"e o!
%esi"les
.id7o"eani" ridge
5 San)st
one
*e)ium #raine)1 para++e+
+aminae or ,ross &e))e)
Ri3er or &ea,(
; Gneiss 'lternating dar- and light ands,
!oliated, "oarse grained
*onta"t 0one etween magma
and surrounding ro"-s near
sur!a"e
*orre"t answer6 BBBBBBBBB
13. The !ollowing pi"ture shows an out"rop o! 4aleo0oi" age deposited in the o"ean# The
strata largel, "onsist o! sand and shale la,ers# 'nswer the 8uestions# _/11% pt (01% 6 7!
(1) &hi"h la,er is sandstone and shale respe"ti%el, in ' and B(
Shale6 BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBSandstone6 BBBBBBBBBBB
(2) &hat is the depositional pro"ess o! la,er ' and B(
BBBBBB is deposited , settling !rom suspension whereas BBBBBB is deposited ,
turidit, "urrent#
(=) *an ,ou e/pe"t to !ind triloite !ossil !rom this out"rop( Des<no 'nswers6BBBBB
:
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
E
14. The !igure elow is the stratigraphi" se"tion and paleomagneti" in"lination in some
area assuming the ro"-s were deposited !rom 1F0 million ,ears to the present without
de!ormation# The paleomagneti" in"lination o! ro"- in ea"h la,er is shown within a "ir"le#
The arrows indi"ate the dire"tion o! paleo7magneti0ation at the time o! ro"- !ormation#
*al"ulate the a%erage (south to north) %elo"it, o! the "ontinent as it mo%ed !rom position
B to position E# Aere, we assume that the latitude di!!eren"e o! one degree (1G) is e8ual to
110 -m, and we suppose that paleomagneti" in"lination is e8ual to twi"e the paleo7
latitude# _/1 pt
') 2#= "m<,r
B) ?#? "m<,r
*) F#F "m<,r
+) H#E "m<,r
F
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
15. The !igure elow shows the soil te/ture o! samples !rom !i%e !arms (AIE)# The soil
o! whi"h !arm has the highest permeailit,( _/1 pt$
(') )arm A (B) )arm
(*) )arm C (+) )arm 8
(E) )arm
E
H
16. &hi"h t,pe o! !ault is shown in the geologi"al map elow( _/01% pt$
a$ norma+
# in%erse
"# %erti"al
d# otuse
10
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
17a. E/amine the map ao%e# &hi"h o! the "hoi"es est des"ries the t,pe o! te"toni"
stru"tures shown# _/1 pt$
a! two anti,+ines wit( an inter3enin# syn,+ine
) two s,n"lines with an inter%ening anti"line
") a salt dome
d) !lat stratigraph,
17b. Re"onstru"t the stratigraph, o! the region shown ao%e "hoosing among the
!ollowing stratigraphi" "olumns# _/01% pt$
11
12
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
18. Tra"e !ossils are the remnants o! the a"ti%ities o! an"ient animals# '""ording to
the patterns o! tra"e !ossils, geologists "an in!er the sustrate "ondition,
sedimentation rate, water !low energ,, and paleoen%ironment# )igure H is a tra"e
!ossil !ound in sandstone showing how an organism utili0ed the limited resour"e
with high e!!i"ien",# &hat is the most li-el, en%ironment to !ind this -ind o! tra"e
!ossil( _/1 pt$
(')inter tidal !lat (B) ri%ers or la-es (*) mountains (8! )eep marine
1=
Ha# Tra"e !ossil on sandstone# S"ale ar is 1 "m H# *lose up %iew o! )ig# Ha# Ea"h di%ide on the
s"ale ar on the ottom is 1 mm#
)ig# H
19. ' student used a portale Gloal 4ositioning S,stem (G4S) to re"ord the "oordinates
o! his positions# The signal and the re"ei%ing "onditions were good during the
measurement# '!ter the student entering the "oordinates he got into GoogleEarth, he
noti"ed that the position drawn in GoogleEarth (G4S data) shi!ted hundred o! meters
awa, !rom the true lo"ation (True 1o")# Aowe%er, the relati%e positions among di!!erent
lo"ations measured in the same da, were "orre"t# &hi"h o! the !ollowing !a"tors is the
most li-el, "ause o! this prolem( _/01% pt$
(') in!luen"e , the ionosphere
(B) mal!un"tion o! the G4S
(*) sheltered !rom the uildings
(8! )i00erent ,oor)inate systems

1?
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
20. The a, mammoth !ossil shown elow was !ound in Sieria in 1HEE# The
!ossili0ation pro"ess it underwent is -nown as6 _/01% pt$
a) "aroni!i"ation
&! ,ryo2,onser3ation
") in"lusion in amer
d) perminerali0ation
e) p,riti0ation
!) sili"i!i"ation
1;
21. This !ossil shown ao%e is6 _/01% pt$
a) shar- ("hondr,"th,an)
) a on, !ish (ostei"hth,an)
") an amphiian (salamander)
)! a repti+e (i,(t(yosaur!
e) a ird (penguin)
!) a mammal ("eta"ean)
22. .at"h all o! the ro"- !eatures<sedimentar, stru"tures on the le!t with all possile
depositional en%ironment !ound on the right#
_/11% pt$ (012% 6 9!
Ro,. 0eature/Se)imentary stru,ture 8epositiona+
en3ironment
1 BBB"oal and siltstone with plant remains a# shallow ephemeral la-e
2 BBBstromatolites and intra"lasti" limestone # 8uiet marine deep water
= BBBlaminated e%aporites "# delta swamp
? BBBmud "ra"-s d# peri7gla"ial la-e
; BBB%ar%es e# lagoon in arid "limate
: BBBthin7edded shales !# "aronate tidal !lat
23. *onsider seismi" wa%es whi"h propagate at ?#; -m<s in the Earth "rust#
a) &hat are the wa%elengths asso"iated to periods o! TJ0#1s, 1s and 100 s( _/01% pt$
(a) 2;0m, 2#; -m and 2;0 -m#
(&! 5%0m1 5$% .m an) 5%0 .m$
(") 1;0m, ?#; -m and ;00 m#
(d) E;0m, E#; -m and E;0 -m#
1:
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
) &hat are the periods and the !re8uen"ies asso"iated to wa%elengths o! 1m, 1-m,
100-m ( _/ 1 pt$ (01% 6 2!
periods6
(e) 0#00??? s, ?#? s and ???#? s#
(!) 0#000=? s, 0#22 s and 2?#: s#
(g) 0#0000: s, 0#0: s and :0#0 s#
((! 0$00022 s1 0$22 s an) 22$2 s$
!re8uen"ies6
(i! 5%00 H:1 5$% H: an) 0$05% H:$
(@) =? A0, 2? A0 and ?? A0#
(-) 1200 A0, 1#2 A0 and 0#012 A0#
(l) 22 A0, 2#2 A0 and 220 A0#
1E
24. The !igure ao%e shows the oser%ed seismogram at some earth8ua-e oser%ator,#
Aere, the %elo"it, o! 4 wa%e (Kp) and S wa%e (Ks) is E-m<se" and ?-m<s, respe"ti%el,#
_/11% pt (01% 6 7!
(a) Aow !ar the oser%ator, is lo"ated !rom epi"enter(
() &hat time the earth8ua-e o""urred(
(") &hat time the !irst S wa%e arri%e at the pla"e ?000 -m !ar !rom epi"enter(
a!
(__! 71%0 .m
(__! 7;20 .m
(__! 5150 .m
&!
(__! 2 (< %1 min< 50 se,4
(__! 2 (< 50 min< 77 se,4
(__! 7 (< 07 min< 22 se,$
,!
(__! 2 (< %% min< 20 se,4
(__! 7 (< 22 min< 1% se,4
(__! 7 (< 0= min< 20 se,$
25. Kol"ani" eruption in a mid o"ean ridge leads to matter and energ, trans!ormation
etween the !ollowing earth s,stems ("hoose the most "omplete option)6 _/1 pt
a# )rom geosphere to atmosphere#
# )rom h,drosphere to geosphere#
,$ "rom #eosp(ere to (y)rosp(ere an) t(en to &iosp(ere$
d# Onl, !rom geosphere to h,drosphere#
1F
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
26. Indi"ate the t,pe o! magma "hara"teristi"all, erupted at the !ollowing plate
te"toni"s %ol"ani" en%ironments (the same magma t,pe "an o""ur in more than one
en%ironment)# The "hoi"es are6 'ndesite, Basalt, Osidian, and Rh,olite
_/ 11% pt$ (01% 6 7!
L .idO"eani" ridge
L Island ar"
L &ithinplate M Aot spots
27. .ar- three o! the !ollowing phenomena that are pre"ursors o! impending %ol"ani"
eruptions# _/ 01% pt$
a# 1andslides
&$ Anoma+ous seismi,ity
"# Aea%, rains
)$ In,rease o0 temperature an) ,(emi,a+ ,(an#es in 0umaro+i, #ases
e# Strong winds
0$ Groun) up+i0t
1H
28. 1oo-ing "losel, at the !igure representing the erupti%e eha%ior o! magmas
depending on their "hemi"al "omposition and their dissol%ed gas "ontent# 01% pt$
a Basi" and de7gassed magma
Basi" magma ri"h in glass
" '"id magma ri"h in glass
d '"id and de7gassed magma
"i#ure A s(ows erupti3e &e(a3ior 0rom w(i,( type o0 ma#ma>_______
"i#ure s(ows erupti3e &e(a3ior 0rom w(i,( type o0 ma#ma>_______
"i#ure C s(ows erupti3e &e(a3ior 0rom w(i,( type o0 ma#ma>_______
"i#ure 8 s(ows erupti3e &e(a3ior 0rom w(i,( type o0 ma#ma>_______
20
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
29. .i"helangelo Buonarroti (1?E;71;:?) was one o! the greatest s"ulptors o! the
Renaissan"e# In this histori"al period, se%eral dis"o%eries and inno%ations in the !ield o!
art, s"ien"e, and te"hnolog, were made# .i"helangelo "ar%ed his statues !rom the
2*arrara marle3 a %er, !ine metamorphi" ro"- "hara"teri0ed , a uni!orm white "olor,
"oming !rom 8uarries near the town o! *arrara (Ital,)#
&hi"h two o! the !ollowing !eatures are NO' asso"iated with the !ormation o! a marle(
_/1 pt$
a) .arles are !ormed , re"r,stalli0ation o! !eldspars !ound in sandstones#
) .arles ha%e a hardness o! :7E on the .ohs s"ale o! mineral hardness#
,! *ar&+e is a metamorp(i, ro,. ,ompose) primari+y o0 ,a+,ium
,ar&onate (CaCO
7
!$
)! '(e ,o+or o0 mar&+e )epen)s on t(e presen,e o0 minera+ impurities
(su,( as ,+ay1 iron o6i)es et,!
e! *ar&+e is a ro,. resu+tin# 0rom metamorp(ism o0 se)imentary
,ar&onate ro,.s1 su,( as +imestone or )o+omite ro,.$
0! *ar&+e is a non20o+iate) metamorp(i, ro,. wit( a ,rysta++ine
stru,ture$
30. Aow is "alled this geologi"al phenomenon( _/0$% pt$
a) Kol"ani" "himne,
) meteor impa"t "rater
") ro"-!alls
d) sin-hole
21
22
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
31. The north M south trending Gul! o! '8aa is lo"ated along the south part o! the +ead
Sea and the 'ra%a Ri!t %alle,# It is 1; -m wide and a"ti%e ri!t sin"e the earl, .io"ene#
The ri!t %alle, is the north part o! the S,rian7'!ri"an te"toni" s,stem#
;000 B4, = meters, ao%e sea le%el, ;000 ,ears old marine terra"es were !ound = meters
ao%e sea le%el along the east and the west margins o! the gul!# These terra"es are
"ontinuousl, mapped !or se%eral -ilometers with a "onstant ele%ation# These terra"es ma,
represent6 _/1 pt$
'# .ore warm "limate "omparing to the 1ate 4leisto"ene "limate
B# *older "limate "omparing to the re"ent "limate
*# Te"toni" upli!ting
+# Remnants to high tide e%ent
2=
32. Tsunami wa%es "an e generated , se%eral natural phenomena# One o! the most
!re8uent "ause are large sudu"tion 0one earth8ua-es, generated at the inter!a"e etween
two lithospheri" "on%erging plates where one o! the two sudu"es eneath the other#
*entral .editerranean te"toni"s is dominated , the slow relati%e "on%erging motion o!
the '!ri"an and European 4lates# Ital, sits on the "on%erging plate margin, and its
%ol"ani" and seismi" a"ti%it, are related to this !irst order phenomena# In the "entral
.editerranean area sudu"tion is "ontinuousl, going on under *alaria in Southern Ital,,
and to the east under the island o! *rete# Aere, large sudu"tion 0one earth8ua-es
o""urred in histori"al times, su"h as in the '#+# =:; . FN earth8ua-e, and generated
widespread de%astating tsunami wa%es that hit the "oasts o! 5orth '!ri"a, mainland
Gree"e and Southern Ital,#
Earth8ua-e generated tsunamis are produ"ed , the "oseismi" displa"ement o! the sea
ottom# The speed o! a tsunami is dire"tl, "orrelated to the depth o! the sea, i#e# it mo%es
!aster in deep waters and slow in shallower waters#
Earl, warning s,stems are !undamental !or mitigating the tsunami ha0ard along the
"oasts, and are ased on models o! tsunami generating and o! propagation#
Supposing that at 0:6=0 am $T* a large sudu"tion 0one earth8ua-e hits the south7
western "oast o! *rete, and -nowing6
1) the e8uation o! the speed o! the tsunami wa%es
K J
where g is the gra%itational "ostant (m<s2), and + is the depth o! the water
2) the a%erage depth o! the Oonian Sea along the three se"tions shown in the map6 Se"tion
', 2000 mC Se"tion B, 2;00 mC and Se"tion *, =000 m#
.easure on the map the distan"e o! the three sites !rom the earth8ua-e epi"enter and
"al"ulate the arri%al time ($T*) o! the wa%es at destination !illing in the tale# _/2 pt$
*ean
)ept(
(m!
12*ean
spee)
(m/s!
22*ean
spee)
(.m/(!
72
8istan,
e (.m!
52'ime
to
)estinati
on ((!
%2
Arri3a+
time
(?'C!
Site A 2000
Site 2%00
Site C 7000
On the asis o! ,our "al"ulation the three sites will e inundated in the !ollowing order6
1) )irst Site ', then B and last *C
2) )irst Site B, then * and last 'C
=) )irst Site *, then B and last '#
2?
Geosphere Test with answers
IESO 2011
.ap o! the *entral .editerranean area, showing with the la"- star the epi"enter o! the
sudu"tion 0one earth8ua-e, and the tra"e o! the three se"tions# *ir"les "entered on the
epi"enter "an e used to measure the distan"e#
2;
HYDROSPHERE written test IESO 2011
Name______________________ Country________________________
1. Tides in te Eart system.
The Figure illustrates two (labelled A and B) different configurations of the Earth-moon-sun system.
Which of the three statements below is correct? _!1 "t
a. onfiguration A re!resents a s!ring tide" while configuration B re!resents a nea! tide
b. The two configurations re!resent a s!ring tide
c. onfiguration B re!resents a s!ring tide" while configuration A re!resents a nea! tide
d. The two configurations re!resent a nea! tide
1
2. Water Masses in the Atlantic Ocean
i) Match the corresponding water masses listed below by letter (a-e) to the correct
location in the map. Each water mass category applies only to a single color
(grey excluded since it indicates the bottom topography) _/1 pt (0.20x5)
a. North Atlantic Deep ater (NAD)
b. Antartic !ntermediate ater (AA!)
c. Mediterranean ater (Med)
d. "ur#ace ater (")
e. Antartic $ottom ater (AA$)
ii) %ceanographers were able to collect two water samples as reported in the table
below. !ndicate in the two circles in the #igure which is "tation A and which is
"tation $. _/0.5 pt
#tation Tem!erature () #alinity
A -$ %&.'
B ( %).&
&
#. C$imate %eed&a'(s in te Eart system
1. *ut the correct arrow heads to com!lete the albedo feedbac+ loo! s+etched in the figure abo,e
_!0)*"t.
&. The feedbac+ is _!0)* "t.
a. Always !ositi,e
b. Always negati,e
c. -eutral
d. #ome times !ositi,e and some times negati,e
'
+. Te ,$o&a$ 'ar&on 'y'$e.
This is a schematic !icture of the global carbon cycle with some estimates of the ma.or carbon ()
reser,oirs and flu/es from 0* ($112).
1. What are the units of the ,alues on the gra!h? ( is the symbol for carbon) _!1 "t.
a. +g m
-%
b. *g
c. mol
d. 3t
e. answers b. and d. are true
f. answers b. and c. are true
&. 0ndicate the estimated direction(s) of the flu/ by circling the correct arrow head. _!1)* "t. -0)2* . /0
'. 4abel the flu/es in the four blan+ bo/es by writing the corres!onding letter from the list below5
_!1 "t. -0)2* . +0
a. ocean !um!
b. terrestrial net !roduction
c. anthro!ogenic emissions
d. soil res!iration
e. land-use change
f. weathering
(. The !resent atmos!here contains about 211 1 in the form of 6
$
. Estimated fossil fuel reser,es
contain at least &$11 1 " mostly in the form of coal. At !resent" about half the 6
$
!roduced by
the burning of fossil fuels remains in the atmos!here. 0f this ratio remained constant and we burned
u! all of our fossil fuels instantaneously" by how much would atmos!heric 6
$
rise in the longer
term? (E/!ress the answer in terms of the new 6
$
stoc+ di,ided by the current one) _!1.* "t.
(
2uestion *
The gra!h re!resents the mean daily discharges" e/!ressed in m
%
7s" of a s!ring in the entral A!ennines
registered between 8arch $9 and A!ril :2. The table shows the data used to build the gra!h. om!ute in the
most accurate way the water ,olume coming from the s!ring between A!ril :$ and A!ril :2. _!2 "t.
;ate
dd-mm ;ischarge (m
%
7s)
$9-1% 1.:11
%1-1% 1.:%)
%:-1% 1.:(1
1:-1& 1.$1)
1$-1& 1.:(1
1%-1& 1.:21
1&-1& 1.:'$
1)-1& 1.:)2
1'-1& 1.:&)
12-1& 1.:%1
1(-1& 1.:$(
19-1& 1.:%9
:1-1& 1.:$1
::-1& 1.::)
:$-1& 1.::$
:%-1& 1.:11
:&-1& 1.19)
:)-1& 1.191
:'-1& 1.1('
:2-1& 1.1(:
)
1"11
1"1$
1"1&
1"1'
1"1(
1":1
1":$
1":&
1":'
1":(
1"$1
1"$$
$
9
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1
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%
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:
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date (day)
f
l
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w

(
m
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s
)
a) '*+,, m
'
b) (-+,, m
'
c) ,.) m
'
d) ,.. m
'
ATMOSPHERE written test IESO 2011
Name__________________________ Country ________________________
1) The diagram bellow showed the average structures of the atmosphere based on its properties i.e.
temperature, molekular bond and electrical. Match the letter in the boxes with right option from the
list given bellow.
1. Homosphere 2. Heterosphere 3. onosphere !. "xosphere
#. Troposphere $. %tratosphere &. Thermosphere '. Mesosphere
. _/2 0!2" # $)
2) (onsider the following figure where are reported the surface energ) balance terms for different
surface and da)*night conditions. _/% &t'
+, - net radiation
." - latent heat flux
H - sensible heat flux
/ - soil heat flux
(hoose the correct surface description for each case0
11
a1 moist surface2da)
b1 moist surface2night
c1 dr) surface2da)
d1 dr) surface2night
21
a1 moist surface2da)
b1 moist surface2night
c1 dr) surface2da)
d1 dr) surface 3night
31
a1 moist surface2da)
b1 moist surface2night
c1 dr) surface 3night
d1 dr) surface2da)
%) 4hich two gases are responsible for the absorption of ver) shortwave 5e.g., ultraviolet1 incoming
solar radiation6 _/1 0!" # 2)
11 molecular ox)gen
21 o7one
31 carbon dioxide
!1 water vapour
#1 nitrogen
() 8oin with lines the surface t)pes with the corresponding surface albedo _/1' 0'2" # ()
9resh snow :21: ;
%oil 2223# ;
4ater ':2<:;
(rops 1'223 ;
") The following images represent different kinds of clouds.
8oin with lines the images 5from = to >1 with the cloud t)pe classification0 _/1 &t' 0!2" # ()
= %T?=T@%
A (@M@.@%
( (@[email protected]@%
> (??@%
)) 4hat is the frictional effect on the geostrophic wind6 _/1 &t'
=1 n the northern hemisphere the effect of the friction is to deflect the wind in direction of
high pressure
A1 n both hemispheres the effect of the friction is to deflect the wind in direction of low
pressure
C) n the southern hemisphere the effect of the friction is to deflect the wind in direction of
high pressure
>1 n both hemispheres the effect of the friction is to deflect the wind in direction of high
pressure
*) =n aircraft departs from = 5airfield elevation 1&::ft1 with +9" <$: hDa set. The altimeter is not
reset. 4hen landing at A 5airfield elevation 2&::ft1, the +CH is 1::# hDa. 4hat will the altimeter
read6 _/% &t
=ssume that 1hDa is eEuivalent to 2&ft and remember that
+CH - atmospheric pressure at sea level
and
+9" - atmospheric pressure at field elevation
=1 1&:: ft
A1 1::: ft
C) 1!'# ft
>1 2&:: ft
$) 4ith a classical warm front there are0 _/1 &t'
=1 high cloud with no precipitation
A1 cumulus and cumulonimbus
(1 no significant cloud
>1 high cloud, middle cloud, mostl) stratiform cloud, and light*moderate rainfall
+) =ccording to the three cell general circulation model, in which direction do winds blow in the
upper troposphere in the tropics in the northern hemisphere6 _/1 &t'
=1 9rom %4
A1 9rom %
(1 9rom 4
>1 9rom %"
10) The increasing of the "arthFs rotation velocit) could most likel) lead to _/1 &t'
=1 decreasing number of circulation cells
A1 increasing number of circulation cells
(1 no change in the number of circulation cells
11) /raph 1 describes data of atmospheric (B
2
concentration measurements from Mauna .oa,
Hawaii.
4hich of the following "arth s)stems and processes are responsible for the increase in (B
2
concentration in the atmosphere during the period described in the graph6 _/1 &t'
a. (B
2
from the geosphere to the atmosphere b) volcanic activit).
b. (B
2
from the geosphere to the h)drosphere and the atmosphere b) erosion.
c. (B
2
from the biosphere to the atmosphere and h)drosphere b) respiration.
d. (B
2
from the h)drosphere to the atmosphere b) diffusion.
e. (B
2
from the geosphere and the biosphere to the atmosphere b) anthropogenic
activit).
f. (B
2
from the geosphere and the h)drosphere to the atmosphere as a result of global
warming.
9rom0 "arth s)stem research laborator) 5http0**www.esrl.noaa.gov1
12) /raph 2 describes the annual changes of atmospheric (B
2
concentration.
The data shown indicates a minimal concentration in Bctober and maximal in 8une.
The reason for that change is0 _/1 &t'
a. ncreased (B
2
flux from the geosphere to the atmosphere as a result of change in fossil
fuel consumption between summer and winter.
b. (B
2
flux between the atmosphere and the h)drosphere as a result of temperature
differences.
c. (B
2
flux between the atmosphere and the h)drosphere as a result of wind speed and
direction.
,ra&- 1.
d. (B
2
flux between the atmosphere and the biosphere as a result of changes in
photos)nthesis activit).
e. (B
2
flux between the atmosphere and the biosphere as a result of forest fires.
f. (hanges in (B
2
flux between the geosphere and the atmosphere as a result of changes in
sedimentation rates.
9rom0 "arth
s)stem research laborator) 5http0**www.esrl.noaa.gov1
1%) Man) scientists conclude that the increase in atmospheric (B
2
concentration is a maGor factor in
global warming. The results of continous monitoring of atmospheric (B
2
concentration indicates
that some (B
2
from the atmosphere is absorbd b) the oceans. 4hat would happen if (B
2
in the
atmosphere increases6 5Mark all correct answers1 _/% &t' 0!%0 # 10)
Hy/ros&-ere.
a. The pH of ocean water will become higher * lower
b. The temperature of ocean water will increase * decrease
c. The amount of sea2ice in the =rctic will increase * decrease
d. Bcean capacit) to absorb (B
2
will increase * decrease
0ios&-ere
e. The amount of organisms with carbonate skeleton will increase * decrease
f. The distribution of marine organisms will change as result of the changes in water
temperature. True * false.
g. The change in water pH will expand * reduce coral reefs
,eos&-ere
,ra&- 2.
MONTH
h. The changes in ocean temperature will affect volcanic activit) in ocean ridges. . True * false.
i. The changes in ocean water pH will increase * decrease the rate of (a(B
3
sedimentation in
the continental shelf.
G. The changes in ocean water pH will increase * decrease the rate of (a(B
3
sedimentation
below the (alcium (arbonate (ompensation >epth 5((>1. True*false
TOT' PT' 1 20
ASTRONOMY written test IESO 2011
Name__________________ Country ___________________________
1. Imagine that a new planet, named Pippo, is discovered beyond Pluto. Its revolution period is 320
years. What would be its average distance from the un in !stronomical "nits #!"$, assuming
circular orbit% _/1 pt.
a. 23.& !"
b. 30.' !"
c. &(.) !"
d. *3.( !"
2. ! person weights '0 +g on ,arth, if he goes to the surface of the -oon and .upiter, he weights/
_/1 pt.
a. more on the -oon and .upiter than on ,arth
b. more on .upiter and less on the -oon than on ,arth
c. more on the -oon and less on .upiter than on ,arth
d. less on the -oon and .upiter than on ,arth
3. 0iven your passion for !stronomy, your friends have given you a sidereal watch as a present for
your birthday. !t 10 a.m. you ad1ust it with the time of your cloc+. 2ollowing the time given by the
sidereal watch, when arriving at the railway station ne3t day to catch the ).00 a.m. train, you find
that the train is not there. What do you do% _/1. pt.
a. I wait for the train because it will be there in few minutes
b. I go home because the train has already left few minutes before my arrival
c. I wait for the train because it will be there in some hours
d. I guess the train has been cancelled today.
&. In a science fiction movie, the main character decides to loo+ for his friends4 spaceship, lost on
-ars surface, using an optical telescope placed on the ,arth. 5he resolution of the telescope is 1
arcsec and -ars is at a distance of (0 million +m. What is the minimum si6e of the spacecraft to
allow him to see it% _/1! pt.
a. 2.*0 m
b. 2*0.* +m
c. 2*0.* m
d. 2.*0 +m
7. 8oo+ing at the given stellar map, can you estimate the position of the un as seen from irius,
using the same map% _/ 2 pt.
a. yes, the un is diametrically opposed to irius in the constellation of 9ercules
b. no, the un is not visible from irius
1
c. yes, the un is diametrically opposed to irius in the constellation of "rsa -inor
d. yes, the un is diametrically opposed to irius in the constellation of the :ctans
(. !ssume the diameter of the -oon to be 20; smaller than the reality, what should the average
distance between the ,arth and the -oon be, in order to still have total solar eclipses on the ,arth%
_/1. pt.
a. 20; bigger than the reality
b. )0; smaller than the reality
c. 20; smaller than the reality
d. )0; bigger than the reality
'. 5he following illustration shows the 9ert6sprung<=ussell #9>=$ diagram for an evolutionary
trac+ of our un. 5he un currently locates at position !, but it will to move to position ? after 7
billion years. #!ssume the un is a blac+body and its current radius is '310
7
+m. 1!"@1.7310
)
+m.$
#i$ When the un evolves to ?, what is its radius% Aalculate it by using the information of the
diagram. _/1. pt.
a$ 100 times larger
b$ 7'.) times larger
c$ 12(.& times larger
d$ 17'.3 times larger
#ii$ Write your process of calculation. _/1. pt.
). 5he synodic period of a certain asteroid is )B' years. !ssume the ,arth revolution speed is 30
+mBs. !nswer with the rounded>off figure below decimal point. In the assumption of circular orbit,
find/
#i$ the period of the revolution of the asteroid #year$ _/1 pt.
#ii$ the radius of the revolution orbit #!"$ _/1 pt.
2
#iii$ the speed of the asteroid #+mBs$ _/1 pt.
TOTA" SCORE# 1$.
3
Stop 01
IESO 2011 Practical test Geosphere Mineralogy
Name and surname of the Partecipant: ________________________________________
Nationality: ______________________________________________________________
Duration time 10 min.
Identification of mineral species
Given five different mineral samples, the candidate is requested to identify
each mineral species with the aid of basic chemical/physical tests or
macroscopic observations. Each mineral species holds at least one unique
feature or character which discriminate it from the others for e!ample, it is the
only one reactin" with acids, it is the hardest one, it is the most symmetric one,
it is the only one e!hibitin" metallic luster #$. %he tests recommended for the
identification are: i$
reactivity to hydrochloric acid attac&' ii$ determination of the relative (ohs
hardness' iii$ crystal habit indicative of the crystal symmetry' iv$ metallic
luster.
%he candidate should associate the code number from ) to *$ of the mineral
sample to the mineral name. + points for each ri"ht answer$
calcite
quart
fluorite
hematite
sulphur
STOP 2 15 Name_____________________ Country ____________________
Practical test: Preda Ringadora
1) Connect the fossil names with the corresponding figure.
1) AMMONITE
2) BELEMNITE
3) CORAL (SCLERACTINIAN)
4) CRINOID
5) GASTROPOD
6) RUDIST
1 - __
2 - __
3 - __
4 - __
5 - __
6 - __
(0.2 pt for each right answer)
2) Inside the squares A and B there are two of the fossils illustrated above. Write the name of the
fossils:
A) ________________________ (1 pt)
B) ________________________ (1 pt)
3) The geological feature labelled on the stone as C is a: (0.8 pt)
a) cross bedding
b) flute cast
c) ripple mark
d) stylolite
S
T
O
P

3
,

2
0

P
u
t

a

c
r
o
s
s

a
b
o
v
e

t
h
e

l
e
t
t
e
r

o
f

t
h
e

r
i
g
h
t

c
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l
u
m
n

(
5

p
t
)

N
a
m
e
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
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_
_
_
_
_
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C
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t
r
y

_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
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_
_
_
STOP 6, 15 Name ______________________________ Country _________________
QUESTION 1
What is the attitude (strike, dip direction, angle of
dip at clockwise easureent! of the e"posed
surface # $ (%pt!
1& 11'( ) *'( ) +,(
*& %-'( ) *,'( ) +,(
%& *'( ) 11'( ) *,(
-& 1.'( ) /'( ) *,(
,& *,'( ) %-'( ) *,(
+& 11'( ) *'( ) +,(
.& *''( ) *0'( ) +,(
/& *'( ) 11'( ) +,(
0& 11'( ) *''( ) *,(
1'& *''( ) *0'( ) *,(
QUESTION *
On the surfaces (#, 1, 2, 3! what geological features can 4ou identif4 (one or ore answers a4
5e correct!$ (',, points for each right answer!
1& wawe ripple arks
*& groo6e casts
%& flute casts
-& tectonic lineation
,& st4lolites
+& fossil traces
.& tool arks
/& fossil shells
Geological map of Friuli Venezia Giulia SIMPLIFIED LEGENDA stop 7
Important note!
It"s possile to assume t#at t#e litological formation in t#e Slo$enian
si%e of t#e #&%rograp#ic asin of ri$er Isonzo 'calle% Soca in Slo$enia( are t#e same
foun%
in t#e Italian si%e)
Quaternary covers
*+
*,
*-
*.
Cenozoic sequence
/0 ! san%stone an% s#ale
/0 a! san%stone1 reccias an% s#ale
/2! limestone
Mesozoic sequence
/7 c! limestone
/+ c! limestone
/+ ! limestone
/, a! limestone
/-! limestone
/. c! %olomite roc3
/. a! %olomite roc3
/* c! %olomite roc3 an% limestone
0! %olomite roc3 an% limestone
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF LOMBARDIA - SIMPLIFIED LEGENDA stop 7a
Important note: durin past !a"ia! periods# a!pine !a"iers transported and a""umu!ated
sediments to $orm morains in t%e pedemontane &one o$ A!ps'
Sin"e t%e end o$ t%e !ast !a"iation# ri(er O!io "arries to site X sediments a!read) deposited *)
a!pine !a"iers in t%e past in t%e pedemontane &one# sout% o$ !a+e Iseo'
Quaternary covers
,
-
.
7
/
Igneous rocks
0: ranite
,1: diorite
,,: diorite and a**ro
,2: r%)o!ite
,3: ranite
,7: diorite and a**ro
Sedimentary covers:
di$$erent t)pes o$ !imestone# sandstone#
do!omite ro"+ and s%a!e
,0*
44a 44*
42
4-
4.
43
47a
4/
40
21
2,a
24a
22a
2-
2.
27a
20
-,a
-2a
--
-.
-3*
Crystalline rocks
-/: neiss
-0: s"%ist and p%)!!ite
.1: 5uart&ite
Crystalline rocks
3-: neiss
3.: s"%ist and p%)!!ite
33: s"%ist
37: neiss
STOP 7 25
Practical test 2011 Comparison of sediments and hydrographic basins
Equipment:
Geological map 1 (riuli !ene"ia Giulia#$ %ith a simplified legenda
Geological map 2 (&ombardia#$ %ith a simplified legenda
Pebble samples ' and (
)and samples 1 and 2
)tereomicroscope
*ilute hydrochloric acid+
E,ercises:
-%o geological maps are pro.ided (1 and 2#
-%o pebble samples ( ' and ( # are pro.ided
/n each map$ t%o sites (0 and 1# along the ri.er are sho%n+ Pebbles and sand
samples ha.e been collected from these locations+
2n site 0 pebbles from the /glio hydrographic basin ha.e been collected+
2n site 1 pebbles from the 2son"o hydrographic basin ha.e been collected+
1# 3ecogni"e the roc4 types of the pebbles$ by completing the follo%ing table (it5s
possible to use the diluted 6Cl solution#: (1$7 points#
Choose among: limestone$ sandstone$ dolomite roc4$ diorite$ gneiss8micaschist
9umber of pebble 3oc4 type
' 1
' 2
' :
( 1
( 2
( :
2# ;atch correctly the pebble samples %ith the geological maps+
(1$27 points#
Pebble sample
'
Geological map
number <<<+
Pebble sample
(
Geological map
number <<<
:# /bser.e carefully the t%o sand samples (1 and 2# at the stereomicroscope+
=hich minerals are present in each sample> 1ou could tic4 more than one option+
(1 point#
Calcite
present
?uart"
abundant
?uart" .ery
rare
(iotite
present
)and sample
1
)and sample
2
@# =hich of the t%o sand sample comes from site 0 and %hich from site 1 >
(1$27 points#
)and sample
1
)ite <<<+
)and sample
2
)ite <<<
Stop 8, 15
Name_________________ Country____________
In this test you are expected to recognize the minerals of the roc,
estimate their a!undance and classify the roc !ased on the
Streeisen diagram"
#ill all ta!les and Streeisen plot" $eport the name of the roc"
Characters of the roc forming minerals %not all are present in the
roc&'
Plagioclase' (hite mily appearance, anhedral to su!hedral
%elongate prismatic ha!it&, sometimes t)inning and
clea*age detecta!le"
Quartz' Colourless to greyish, is the most transparent, often
anhedral interstitial, conchoidal fractures, no clea*age"
Biotite' +lac,dar !ro)n, *itreous lustre, thin clea*age system,
hexagonal euhedral sections are in general su!e-uant""
Pyroxene' +lac, prismatic elongated, clea*age parallel to the
elongation"
Olivine' .reen, dar green, prismatic su!e-uant, no clea*age"
Oxides' /-uant, fine grained, !lac metallic lustre"
Tourmaline' Strongly elongated to acicular ha!it, light !ro)n to
greenish"
K-Feldspar' 0range to reddish, forms large crystals, anhedral to
su!hedral, sometimes t)inning and clea*age detecta!le"
In the follo)ing ta!le select the minerals you recognize on the
selected areas of the pillar, then indicate the amount of each phase"
1inerals not recognized must !e indicated as 23" 4o e*aluate the
amount of each mineral phase use the reference grids in the next
page" Note that indicating the amount of minor phases as 5123
means total is not expected to !e 1223"
2 5123 123 623 723 823
4ourmali
ne
9,
feldspar
0li*ine
0xides
:uartz
;yroxene
+iotite
;lagiocla
se
$eference grids

In order to define the roc you must recalculate the relati*e amount
of :, < and ;
/stimated
*alue
$ecalc to 122
: %:uartz&
< %9,feldspar&
; %;lagioclase&
Sum :=<=; Sum >122
;lot in :,<,; !y colouring the compositional field
?ou can use the triangular plot aside to help in
finding the correct position
4he o!ser*ed roc is' ________________________________
Score'
;lot in the right field' 8 points
;lot in the fields ad@acent to the correct one' 1 points
STOP 9, 20 Records from the past
- Instruction sheet -
Background information
To help to make climate forecasts for the future, it is useful to study past climate The field of science !hich aims to "ain #etter
insi"ht into past climate on $arth and the mechanisms that are causin" climate chan"e is called palaeoclimatolo"y
The floors of oceans and lakes are co%ered !ith %arious layers of mud-like sediments, !hich contain fossils One type of fossil
from lake or ocean sediments that is often used #y palaeoclimatolo"ists is diatoms $ach kind of diatom has a different shape
of its skeleton This difference is used to identify the %arious fossil types of diatom
In addition to this, e%ery species "ro!s optimally under a certain temperature called the optimal temperature &To', so the
presence of a certain species can pro%ide some clues a#out the climate at the time !hen the indi%iduals !ere still ali%e
Scientists can determine the temperature at the time of formation, !hich is called the #alanced a%era"e temperature &Tm', #y
applyin" the follo!in" formula(
Aim
Reconstructin" a climate history #y analy)in" the types of diatoms from a sediment core
Materials
*0 Petri dishes that correspond to sediment samples from different parts of a sediment core The depth and a"e are indicated on
each Petri dish &+P years, years +efore Present'
Sample
number
Age (BP
years)
Depth (cm)
* *000 -
2 2000 *0
. .000 *-
/ /000 20
- -000 2-
0 0000 .0
1 1000 .-
2 2000 /0
9 9000 /-
*0 *0000 -0
$ach Petri dish contains *2 pink, "reen, yello! and purple #eads $ach color represents a specific type of diatom that sur%i%es
#est in certain temperatures &, optimal temperature, To'
Type of diatom To ()
pink 20
yello! *-
"reen *0
purple -
Procedure
* 3olor the attached dia"ram &on the !orksheet' accordin" to the diatom composition found in each Petri dish 3ount
the amount of #eads of each color found in each Petri dish and color the circles accordin"ly 4rom the #ottom
&hori)ontal a5is' to the top of each column of circles, color first the pink ones, then the yello! ones, the "reen ones,
and the purple ones
2 6ra! a line a#o%e the top set of pink dots 7 this !ill "i%e you a line !ith the a"e on the 8-a5is and the num#er of
diatoms per type on the 9-a5is
. 3alculate the #alanced a%era"e temperature &Tm' for depths at *000 years +P, /000 years +P and 1000 years +P 4ill
the :Ta#le of the Tm %alues; and ans!er the <uestion accordin" to the instructions pro%ided
This acti%ity has #een adapted for I$SO20** from the ori"inal %ersion titled :$5periment from the Past; pu#lished #y International Polar
4oundation http(==!!!educapolesor"= &* of . '
Records from the past &2,/pt'
>orksheet , 6ia"ram -
Table of Tm !alues
Age (years BP)
n
pink
? T
0,pink
n
yello!
? T
0,yello!
n
"reen
? T
0,"reen
n
purple
? T
0,purple
n
total
Tm ()
*000
/000
1000
This acti%ity has #een adapted for I$SO20** from the ori"inal %ersion titled :$5periment from the Past; pu#lished #y International Polar
4oundation http(==!!!educapolesor"= &2 of . '
Analysis of the results
@uestion * &0,0pt'
Put the . time periods listed in the ta#le a#o%e in the follo!in" ordinated list from the coldest &*' to the !armest &.'
* &coldest' , time periodAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB"e &years +P'
2 , time periodAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB"e &years +P'
. &!armest' , time periodAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB"e &years +P'
@uestion 2 &*,-pt'
The cur%es for the t!o !arm periods sho! e5actly the same ma5imum in terms of num#er of :pink diatoms; !hile the
#alanced a%era"e temperature &Tm' for these periods differ, ho! can you e5plain thatC &mark one correct ans!er'
a' The most recent !arm period has more :purple diatoms;
#' The Tm takes into account the relati%e composition of diatoms present in each sample
c' The Tm takes into account the a"e of each samples
d' The optimal temperature of the :pink diatoms; chan"es accordin" to the a"es
This acti%ity has #een adapted for I$SO20** from the ori"inal %ersion titled :$5periment from the Past; pu#lished #y International Polar
4oundation http(==!!!educapolesor"= &. of . '
STOP 10 15
Practical activity Remote Sensing
Processing and analysis of digital satellite imagery
Instructions
Download the data (Landsat satellite imagery of Venice)
Generate computerised colour images in
o True colour
o False colour
Answer the questions
1) Data Donload
Download all files from http:download!terra!unimore!itieso and sa"e them on the Des!to"
(dou#le clic$ing on e"ery file)
#) O"en t$e satellite imagery
a) %tart the %&O'or!s()0 programme (clic$ing on the 'indos Start *utton)
#) &pen the following files and press O+ on the Image Previe window (cf! Fig!'):
Venice_Band_1.tif (channel '( #lue)!
Venice_Band_2.tif (channel )( green)
Venice_Band_3.tif (channel *( red)
Venice_Band_4.tif (channel +( near infrared ,-.)
Venice_Band_5.tif (channel /( short wa"elength infrared
%0-.)
Venice_Band_7.tif (channel 1( short wa"elength infrared
%0-.)
() True,colour com*ination of s"ectral *ands- generate a real colour image
-n the 2enu #ar clic$ on: Image .om*ine from / 0Red 1reen 2lue3 ( a new window
called .om*ine R12 appears (cf!
Fig!))
&n the three input windows select the
#ands:
a) for red (Select Red Band)
select Venice_Band_3(
#) for green (Select Green Band)
select Venice_Band_2
c) for #lue (Select Blue Band)
select Venice_Band_1!
1
Fig!': -mage 3re"iew
window
Fig!): 4om#ination of the spectral #ands
,ame:555555555555555555555555555
4ountry:5555555555555555555555555
.emote %ensing practical acti"ity -6%& )7''
4lic$ing O+ the com#ined true8colour image appears!
9eep it open in order to compare it with the ne:t results!
4) 5alse,colour com*ination- generate an infrared false colour
image
.epeat the steps of point *) choosing now the following association of spectral #ands (cf!
Fig!*):
a) for red select Venice_Band_4(
#) for green select Venice_Band_3
c) for #lue select Venice_Band_2!
4lic$ing on O+ you o#tain now an infrared false colour image of Venice!
9eep it open in order to compare it with the ne:t results!
5) Try anot$er com*ination- generate a different false colour image using ot$er
s"ectral *ands 6754)
.epeat the steps of point *) choosing now this association of spectral
#ands (cf! Fig!+):
a) for red select Venice_Band_7(
#) for green select Venice_Band_5
c) for #lue select Venice_Band_4!
4lic$ing on O+ you o#tain now a different false colour image of
Venice!
8ou $ave no created t$ree different com*ined images of t$e same su*9ect)
O*serve and com"are t$em in order to anser t$e folloing :uestions)
)
Fig!*: False colour
infrared
com#ination
Fig!+: False colour 1/+
com#ination
.emote %ensing practical acti"ity -6%& )7''
;uestions
Only one anser "er :uestion is correct< mar! t$e rig$t one)
&very rig$t anser corres"onds to 0)(5 "oints) 15
T$e %=>DS=T system constitutes t$e longest continuous record of t$e &art$ surface
') The Landsat satellite is
a) polar #) geostationary
)) Landsat is used
a) for weather applications
#) land use
c) to constantly monitor a localised region on the 6arth surface
d) none of them
T$e geometrical resolution of an image is t$e si?e of t$e "i@els in meters)
*) Gi"en that the Landsat images co"er an area of )7 $m ; )7 $m and that there are
/77;/77 pi:els in the image( which is its resolution<
a) )7
#) +7
c) +77
d) no answer is correct
In t$is "ractical activity you used different s"ectral *ands< every single image
reflects a "art of t$e electromagnetic s"ectrum
+) 0hich of the following #ands are outside the "isi#le spectrum<
a) red
#) red and ,-.
c) near and middle infrared
d) green and #lue
T$e com*ined images are< res"ectively< true, and false,colour com*inations of t$e
t$ree visi*le c$annels red< green< *lue< or furt$er s"ectral c$annels of a %andsat
scene)
/) False8colour images are used to
a) increase the interpreta#ility of satellite images
#) pro"ide "isually impaired people a mean for detecting the same features in land use
.om"aring t$e com*ined images o*tained from ste"s ()< 4)< 5) in t$e Instruction
s$eet-
=) The colours of the different features of the soil depend on the #ands selected for the
com#ination( #ecause e"ery o#>ect has its own radiation characteristics
a) true? #) false
1) 0hich channel is #est suited to gi"e information regarding "egetation<
a) green
#) infrared
c) red
d) none of them
@) The infrared range is "ery useful for interpreting the 6arthAs surface #ecause
a) it consists of reflected and emitted energy
#) it gi"es information a#out the "italityhealth status of the "egetation
c) none of them
d) #oth of them
Referring to t$e image o*tained com*ining t$e s"ectral *ands 7< 5< 4-
B) For which application is this com#ination useful<
a) to detect coast lines and shores that are well defined due to this com#ination
#) to find te:tural and moisture characteristics of soils
c) #oth of them
d) none of them
'7) -n com#ined image 1/+( "egetation appears to #e
a) red
*
,ame:555555555555555555555555555
4ountry:5555555555555555555555555
.emote %ensing practical acti"ity -6%& )7''
#) green
c) #lue
+
IESO 2011
PRACTICAL TEST
Oceanography
Temperature and Depth ea!urement!
- Instruction sheet -
Dur"ng th"! pract"ca# te!t you $"## mea!ure the temperature o% $ater at d"%%erent depth! at a !amp#"ng
!"te& '"th the data co##ected( you $"## con!truct a therma# pro%"#e and conduct an "n)e!t"gat"on *a!ed
on the data&
+ou $"## u!e thermometer! %a!tened at %",ed d"!tance! a#ong a #"ne ca##ed moor"ng rope end"ng
$"th a $e"ght& The upper end $"## *e %",ed to the *oat& Th"! !y!tem "! ca##ed moor"ng !y!tem&
Dur"ng !c"ent"%"c mea!urement!( "t "! genera##y %",ed to a %#oat"ng *uoy&
The thermometer! are actua##y m"cro-data-#ogger! that mea!ure and record temperature data at
de!"red t"me "nter)a#!& Th"! operat"on "! ca##ed a m"!!"on& The data #ogger! and the computer!
ha)e a#ready *een con%"gured %or th"! m"!!"on&
Materials
Temperature m"cro-data-#ogger! .thermochron "/utton( Da##a!-a,"m mode# DS102112
Data-#ogger3PC ca*#"ng !y!tem .named L"n45S/2
Computer $"th dr")er! and !o%t$are a#ready "n!ta##ed .named One'"re6"e$er2
Procedure
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Preparation phase 5!"ng the hard$are and !o%t$are pro)"ded( you ha)e to program a## the
data #ogger! "n order to !tart your m"!!"on $"th the %o##o$"ng character"!t"c!7
ea!urement rate7 1 m"n&
8ormat o% temperature data7 9C&
A#arm7 o%%
Start the m"!!"on o% each data #ogger&
Preparation o! the "oorin# line& Put the data #ogger! "n!"de the cham*er!& T"ght#y c#o!e
the cham*er $"th a !u"ta*#e o-r"ng u!"ng the g")en 4ey!& Then %", the thermochron! at the
%o##o$"ng depth!7 !ea %#oor( :10m a*o)e !ea %#oor .a!%2( :20m a!%( :;0m a!%&
Measure"ent& Put the moor"ng #"ne "n the $ater %o##o$"ng the "n!truct"on! %rom the !ta%% o%
the *oat& Pay !pec"a# attent"on to them<
Lea$e the "oorin# line "n the $ater %or at #ea!t 10 m"nute!&
Care%u##y ra"!e the moor"ng #"ne& Co##ect a## the data %rom the #ogger! %o##o$"ng the
"n!truct"on! pro)"ded *y the !tudent !ta%%& 8or each data #ogger you ha)e to choo!e .among
a## the co##ected )a#ue!2 a !"ng#e )a#ue o% temperature that( "n your op"n"on( "! repre!entat")e
o% the temperature o% the $ater at that depth $here the thermometer $a! p#aced&
%o to the &or'sheet and ans&er the (uestions
IESO 2011
PRACTICAL TEST
Oceanography
Temperature and Depth ea!urement!
=AE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> country >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
- )or'sheet *
+uestion ,
Record the data "n the %o##o$"ng ta*#e7
-epth ."eter /elo& sea le$el0 Te"perature .1C0
0 m .!ea #e)e#2
- m
- m
- m .!ea %#oor2
2 points
+uestion 3
Dra$ a graph u!"ng the data you co##ected& P#ace the temperature on the hor"?onta# a,"! .Sca#e the
a,"! %rom -@9C to :;09C2& P#ace the depth on the )ert"ca# a,"!& /e !ure to p#ace the !ea !ur%ace at
the top and the !ea %#oor at the *ottom o% the a,"!&
2 points
+uestion 4
Accord"ng to the data co##ected( th"! $ater ma!! "! character"?ed *y7 .Choo!e on#y O=E o% the
%o##o$"ng an!$er!2
a2 no therma# !trat"%"cat"on
*2 !trong therma# !trat"%"cat"on
c2 $ea4 therma# !trat"%"cat"on
d2 I $ou#d need more data to !ay !ometh"ng de%"n"t")e#y&
2 points
+uestion 5
In your op"n"on( $h"ch o% the %o##o$"ng !tatement! "! mo!t #"4e#y the ma"n cau!e o% the pre!ent
cond"t"on o% the $ater co#umnA Th"! !hou#d re%#ect your an!$er to Bue!t"on ;& .Choo!e on#y O=E o%
the %o##o$"ng an!$er!2
1& a*!ence3pre!ence o% d"%%erence! "n den!"ty a! a con!eBuence o% d"%%erence! "n temperature
and3or !a#"n"ty&
2& d"%%erence! "n the concentrat"on o% d"!!o#)ed o,ygen&
;& d"%%erence! "n the phytop#an4ton concentrat"on&
C& 'a)e act"on
@& =on-natura# cau!e! !uch a! the tran!"t o% *oat! and !h"p!&
2 points
+uestion 2
'h"ch o% the %o##o$"ng e)ent!( "n your op"n"on( CO5LD CERTAI=L+ =OT a%%ect the pre!ent
!"tuat"on o% !trat"%"cat"on& .Choo!e O=E o% the %o##o$"ng an!$er!2
a2 "n%#o$ o% $ater $"th a d"%%erent !a#"n"ty
*2 "n%#o$ o% $ater $"th a d"%%erent temperature
c2 a )ery !trong $"nd
d2 "n%#o$ o% $ater $"th !"m"#ar !a#"n"ty and temperature
e2 re#ea!e o% pho!phorou! %rom the !ed"ment @ po"nt!
+uestion 6
'h"ch o% the %o##o$"ng *e!t e,p#a"n! the "mportance o% the !trat"%"cat"on o% a $ater ma!!D .Choo!e
O=E o% the %o##o$"ng an!$er!2
a2 /ecau!e !trat"%"cat"on a%%ect! the ero!"ona# proce!!e! carr"ed on *y the $ater ma!!
*2 /ecau!e !trat"%"cat"on and the temperature o% the $ater a%%ect on#y the pr"mary product"on&
.$arm $ater mean! more product")"ty2
c2 /ecau!e !trat"%"cat"on cou#d a%%ect ano,"c cond"t"on! at the *ottom&
2 points
+uestion 7
5!"ng the graph that you prepared %or Bue!t"on 2( dra$ a therma# pro%"#e o% th"! $ater ma!! dur"ng a
hypothet"ca# $"nter $hen the !ea !ur%ace had %ro?en&
8 points
=AE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> country >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IESO 2011 ASTRONOMY PRACTICAL TEST
STOP 11
NAME:-
_______________________________________________________________
COUNTRY:_________________________________________________________
___
On Friday, September 9, 2011, you will perform 3 trials. Each trial is indiidual, but in
some cases you will hae to wor! to"ether with some of the other participants. #his is
what happens eery day in science$ you compete and cooperate at the same time with
other scientists, to "et an hi"her leel of shared !nowled"e.
ACT I: THE POLE STAR FOR MARS (60 minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f in'i(i'u")
&"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %oc!et torch li"ht &red', paper, pencil, rubber
(emember that the celestial poles are the pro)ection of the "eo"raphic poles onto the
s!y. *t the present time there is a star, isible from Earth with the na!ed eye, close to
the celestial +orth %ole$ for this reason it is called %olaris. ,ut what if you were at the
"eo"raphic +orth %ole of -ars.
#he celestial +orth %ole of the red planet is not the same of the Earth. #o do the
comparison, recall that the stars are so far that the ima"inary desi"ns of the
constellations remain the same as seen both from the Earth and -ars. So the
orientation of -ars/ a0is is such that its celestial +orth %ole has (i"ht *scension 21h
10m 12s and 2eclination 342.95. #his means that is in the constellation of 6y"nus.
(i) #he most brilliant star of the constellation of 6y"nus could be a "ood choice for the
martian +orth %ole star. 7hich way the modern terrestrial astronomers indicate it. For
the -artian s!y watcher, who !nows8 _/1 pt.
a. 1 6y"
b. * 6y"
c. 9 6y"
d. : 6y"
(ii) ;oo! at the s!y pro)ected by the %lanetarium on the inner surface of the dome. *t
the <enith you hae the +orth %ole of the ecliptic. Find %olaris and thus you !now the
position of the Earth=s celestial +orth %ole. %lease notice the scale on the celestial
meridian )oinin" the Earth=s +orth %ole with the <enith$ eery step is 105. #here is the
same scale also on the >uarter of celestial meridian )oinin" -ars= +orth %ole with the
<enith. 7hat can you say about the a0ial tilt of the Earth and -ars with respect to the
+orth %ole of the ecliptic. _/3 pt.
a. #he a0ial tilt of -ars is twice the a0ial tilt of the Earth
b. #he two planets hae more or less the same a0ial tilt, but in different directions
c. #he a0ial tilt of -ars is one half of the a0ial tilt of the Earth
d. #he two planets hae more or less the same a0ial tilt, but in opposite directions
1
(iii) 6onsiderin" all the information you hae collected, can you say somethin" about
the inclination of the orbital plane of -ars with respect to that of the Earth, called the
ecliptic plane. _/3 pt.
a. #he orbital plane of -ars has a sli"ht inclination with respect to the Earth=s ecliptic
b. #he orbital plane of -ars is e0actly the same of the Earth and all the other planets
in the Solar System
c. #he orbital plane of -ars is perpendicular to the Earth=s ecliptic
d. #he orbital plane of -ars has an inclination of 145 with respect to to the Earth=s
ecliptic
2
ACT II: I+LL FOLLO, THE S-N (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f in'i(i'u")
&"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %encil, rubber, paper, chronometer, piece of chal!
?n the Solar ;aboratory in -odena you can loo! at the ima"e of the Sun pro)ected on a
blac!board without ris!s for your si"ht &remember$ neer loo! directly at the Sun@'.
7hen the trac!in" of the telescope pointed toward the Sun is on, the ima"e is still and
you can appreciate, for instance, if there are sunspots. 7hen the trac!in" is off, the
Sun moes until it disappears from the blac!board. Een when not wor!in", the
instrument is useful$ the ma"nification of the Sun=s ima"e allow you to measure the
time the Sun needs to coer a certain an"ular distance and thus the an"ular speed of
its apparent daily motion in the s!y.
(i) #he apparent an"ular diameter, in de"rees, of the Sun as seen from the Earth is
about8 _/2 pt.
(ii) *fter ta!in" the measurements in the Solar ;aboratory, which is the an"ular speed
for the daily motion of the Sun, in de"rees per hour, that you hae found. 7rite your
calculation process. _/4 pt.
3
ACT III: NE0ER LOO1 2IRECTLY AT THE S-N (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f
in'i(i'u") &"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %encil, rubber, paper, ali"ned telescope with solar filter
8 Anless you use the filters as you hae on your telescope for the practical test BB but
also in this case it is better not to loo! throu"h it more than few seconds. #his is
enou"h time as to point the telescope, already ali"ned with the celestial poles, toward
to the Sun. So you can find some >uite interestin" information about the position of
our star and the position of the celestial +orth %ole, een if it=s daytime@
(i) First complete the followin" scheme, insertin" in the s>uares the cardinal points &+,
E already inserted, S, 7' and in the rectan"les the name of the local coordinates
&*ltitude, *<imuth'$ _/2 pt
(ii) +ow you can moe the telescope, center the Sun and complete the followin"
table$
2*#E OF #CE O,SE(D*#?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/0.5 pt.
SA+=S (?FC# *S6E+S?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1.5 pt.
SA+=S 2E6;?+*#?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
6E;ES#?*; +O(#C %O;E *;#?#A2E$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
1
;*#?#A2E OF -O2E+*$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
ACT II PLAN 3: THE STARS LOO1 2O,N (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f
in'i(i'u") &"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %encil, rubber
8 *nd you loo! up all the same@ Anluc!ily, the weather is not fine, but you can see the
stars$ o!, it is only a drawin" on your wor!sheet, but these are the same constellations
and stars that will be aboe your head toni"ht in -odena BB and that those nasty
clouds probably will not allow you to see
6an you identify the constellation indicated by the numbers.
1 is$_/1 pt.
a. ;ibra
b. Dir"o
c. Scorpius
2 is$_/1 pt.
a. 6assiopeia
b. %erseus
c. %e"asus
3 is$_/1 pt.
a. 2elphinus
b. *>uila
c. ;yra
4 is$_/1 pt.
a. Arsa -a)or
b. Arsa -inor
c. 2raco
5 is$_/1 pt.
a. Arsa -a)or
b. Arsa -inor
c. 2raco
4
d. Sa"ittarius d. *ndromeda d. 6y"nus d. ,oGtes d. ,oGtes
H
ACT III PLAN 3: 2ISCO0ER THE TELESCOPE (./ minutes f! e"#$ %!u& f
in'i(i'u") &"!ti#i&"nts*
Materials$ %encil, rubber, paper, cloc!, ali"ned telescope with solar filter, ruler
Anluc!ily, the weather is not fine and it seems you can not use the telescope8 ,ut it
has been already ali"ned by the responsible of the %lanetarium in -odena. Iou can
find ery >uic!ly and easily some >uite interestin" information about the telescope
itself and the position of the celestial +orth %ole, een if it=s daytime and clouds do not
allow to loo! at the s!y.
(i) First complete the followin" scheme, in the s>uares insert the cardinal points &+, E
already inserted, S, 7' and in the rectan"les the name of the local coordinates
&*ltitude, *<imuth'$ _/2 pt
(ii) +ow complete the followin" table$
2*#E OF #CE O,SE(D*#?O+$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/0.5 pt.
6E;ES#?*; +O(#C %O;E *;#?#A2E$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
;*#?#A2E OF -O2E+*$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
(EF;E6#O( O( (EF(*6#O( #E;ES6O%E. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1 pt.
J
2?*-E#E( *+2 FO6*; ;E+F#C &mm'$ EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE _/1.5 pt.
K
Practical Test Atmosphere
Name__________________ Country __________________
Fog in a jar
- Instruction sheet -
Background information
Formation of fog, cloud and several other meteorological events share the same
physical phenomenon the condensation of !ater vapor that happens !hen !ater
passes from the gaseous to li"uid state# $uring this la% you !ill simulate the
formation of fog in a jar through the creation of suita%le conditions#
Materials
& glass jars
' stic( of incense
' match%o)
& aluminum %o)es previously filled !ith ice
' laser pointer
Cold !ater
*arm !ater
Procedure
'# Fill jar ' !ith cold !ater +T appro) ',-C. and jar & !ith !arm !ater +T appro)
/0-C.#
&# *ait for ', min appro) in order to allo! that the glass of %oth jars to come to
the same temperature of the surrounding !ater# This helps you to prevent
condensation inside the jars#
/# 1easure the !ater temperature in %oth jars# *rite the results in "uestion '#
2# 3emove /42 of the !ater from %oth jars#
0# 5ight the stic( of incense and try to put some smo(e into jar '# 6lo! gently the
incense smo(e into the jar#
7# 8uic(ly place the aluminum %o) containing ice on the top of jar#
9# 3epeat the same procedure +steps 0 : 7. !ith jar &#
;# Carefully o%serve !hat happens inside %oth jars#
<# =se the laser pointer to o%serve the progress of the phenomenon and try to
compare them estimating !hich one of the t!o jars produces more fog#
Fog in a jar
*or(sheet -
Question 1 & point
*rite do!n the temperatures of the !ater of the t!o jars
>ar no# Temperature -C
' +cold !ater.
& +!arm !ater.
Question 2 ' point
In most climate areas fog is more common during the cold season? does this
e)periment help you to understand this phenomenon@
a. yes
%. no
Question 3 / points
In your opinion !hich of the follo!ing sentences e)plain %etter the role played %y the
smo(e inside the jars +mark ONE of the follo!ing ans!ers.
a. *arm up the air inside the jar further
%. *arm up the !ater inside the jar further
c. Aive tiny particles that provide surfaces on !hich !ater vapor can condense
d. Aive tiny and !arm particles that increase the difference in temperature
%et!een air and !ater# This affects the condensation positively#
Question 4 2 points
In the atmosphere !hich one of the follo!ing processes, in your opinion and most
li(ely, emits su%stances that could play the same role of the smo(e you use in this
la%@ +mar( no more then TWO of the follo!ing ans!ers.
a. The erosion of a river
%. A volcanic eruption
c. The respiration of living organisms
d. Fossils fuels %urning
e. An earth"ua(e
Question 2 points
*hich of the follo!ing situations, in your opinion, is more suita%le for fog
formation@ +mark ONE of the follo!ing ans!ers.
a. Close to a shoreline there is an up!elling of a deep and cold ocean current#
Bere the !ater meets !arm air coming from the inland area covered !ith
forest
%. An hilly area has no vegetation cover since is "uite arid, ther are only roc(
outcrops facing south forming very !arm air masses meeting cool ones
coming from the adjacent pea(s
c. A very !ide area is covered !ith sno! in the mid of !inter season# Bere
cold air masses meet slightly cool ones coming from an adjacent and dense
!oods
Question ! & points
Cne of the conditions that helps the formation of fog is the ice presence that
decreases the temperature of air inside the jar# *hich one of the follo!ing conditions
could lead to the formation of fog@ +mark ONE of the follo!ing ans!ers.
a. increasing of air pressure inside the jar
%. decreasing of air pressure inside the jar
c. An increase or decrease of the air pressure inside the jar leads to fog
formation
d. An increase of the pressure coupled !ith heating of the air inside the jar
Question " & points
*hich one of the follo!ing su%stances of the atmosphere does NCT act as
condensation nucleus@ +mark ONE of the follo!ing ans!ers.
a. marine aerosol made %y !aves
%. car%on dio)ide
c. particles lifted during a sand storm
d. particles emitted during a forest fire
Question # & points
1ar( on the follo!ing graph t!o points that represent the conditions of the !ater
inside the t!o jars +mar( the point 'Dcold jar? mar( the point &D!arm jar.#