Geochemistry Interview Questions And Answers

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Enhance your Geochemistry interview preparation with our set of 65 carefully chosen questions. Our questions cover a wide range of topics in Geochemistry to ensure you're well-prepared. Whether you're new to the field or have years of experience, these questions are designed to help you succeed. Don't miss out on our free PDF download, containing all 65 questions to help you succeed in your Geochemistry interview. It's an invaluable tool for reinforcing your knowledge and building confidence.

65 Geochemistry Questions and Answers:

Geochemistry Job Interview Questions Table of Contents:

Geochemistry Job Interview Questions and Answers

1 :: Explain how has the earth changed since it was formed?

The earth has changed massively since it was formed. Earth was a ball of rock that was hit and changed by loads of impacts and meteor impacts.

2 :: Tell me how the asthenosphere works?

The asthenosphere is a layer of the earths crust. There are various definitions here is one of them from a geology resources definition list:
“A layer of soft but solid, mobile rock comprising the lower part of the upper mantle from about 100 to 350 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface.”

3 :: Tell me how Continental heat flow is produced?

This is caused by the magma – the molten rock – that is underneath each of the plates of the earth and causes them to move and flow along.
This is the major cause of this phenomenon to the best of our current geological understanding.

4 :: Explain me what are examples of techno fossils?

In which case I guess that you might be referring to things such as nuclear waste and other waste products of our recent systems for instance rubbish dumps and similar.
We have also fired some artifacts into space, for instance on spacecraft that aliens might some time come across we have given a glimpse or snapshot of our lives at a particular time in history.

5 :: Do you know What is coal?

The remains of trees and shrubs grew millions of years ago, when the weather was mild and moist.

6 :: Do you know what is the earths core made of?

The outer core is liquid and the inner is solid. Both parts are made of alloy of two metals – iron and nickel, allowing the rise of the magnetic field that the earth exhibits and is so essential in protecting our existence.

7 :: Tell me what is the minimum depth needed for a feature to be considered a canyon?

In fact, it is a bit like considering when a few grains of sand become a heap of sand: there is no absolute point where something turns from a depression to a canyon.
The definition is simply a deep, narrow steep-sided valley, but the minimum depth is not absolute.

8 :: Tell me what minerals attract lightning?

Tall structures and things that are metal attract lightning, also trees do.
In fact, anything that is metallic containing mineral may seem to attract the lightning for instance things like iron.

9 :: Tell me where would you expect to find the oldest basalt on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean?

The oldest sea floor in the Atlantic that is made of basalt is to be found closest to the continents, the further into the ocean away from land that you go, the newer the sea floor.
This is because new sea floor is still being added in the middle of the ocean and therefore the banding and age of the rocks gets increasingly older the further you move from the centre of the ocean.

10 :: Do you know why does a glacier move?

It moves because the huge pressure of the ice and snow lowers the freezing point of its lower layers, causing them to melt.

11 :: Tell me which is the largest reef?

This is the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast corner of Australia.

12 :: Tell me what separates the outer core from the mantle above it?

There is a gradual transition caused by a change in temperature and reducing pressure.

13 :: Tell me what is the difference between the geoid and the surface of the earth?

The geoid is an imaginary surface that equivalences with the average (mean) sea level around the world.
Therefore, it is not an actual or real thing like the continents themselves that form the surface of the earth, but merely a useful model that we can imagine to extend through the continents.

14 :: Tell me hat is shale?

It is a fine-grained, earthy, sedimentary rock like clay, but formed in thin layers.

15 :: Tell me what does regolith mean?

This refers to a layer of loose surface material covering bedrock.

16 :: Tell me how many seismograph stations are needed to allocate the epicenter of an earthquake?

Usually the triangulation method is used, making three measurements, and then using simple geometry/maths to locate the positioning.

17 :: Do you know what is loam soil?

This is a type of soil, which is halfway between clay and sandy soils.

18 :: Tell me what is the earths crust made of?

The overall composition of the Earth’s crust, in terms of elemental composition is as follows:
Oxygen 46.6%
Silicon 27.7%
Aluminum 8.1%
Iron 5.0%
All other elements 12.6%

19 :: Explain me when does an atoll start to form?

This begins to form when tiny marine animals – coral polyps – attach themselves to rocks on the seabed.

20 :: Explain me which type of rock is critical for the formation of geysers?

Liquid rock is needed for geysers to form in the form of what is called magma – which is the geological name for liquid rock. Without that, you cannot get geysers forming.

21 :: Tell me where are Mountains of the Moon?

These are a mountain range, along Zaire and Uganda in East Africa.

22 :: Tell me what is the rate of species and how does this relate to finding transitional species?

The rate of species depends on the time and particular species and environment at the time, therefore there is no one absolute figure that can be used.
However clearly the rate of species can be used to estimate where in transition each species is and when the next variations will come along.

23 :: Explain the process that forms igneous rocks with the process that form metamorphic rocks?

Igneous rocks form in quite a different way to metamorphic rocks.
Igneous rocks form due to heat and volcanic activity specifically they form when molten rock cools and becomes solid.
However, metamorphic rocks are existing rocks – perhaps igneous ones – that have been changed by great pressure and often-great heat into metamorphic rocks.

24 :: Explain me how are the layers of schist separated into alternating light and dark minerals?

The heat and compression deep within the earth’s magma are what cause these unique and interesting layers of striation.
Depending on the particular stresses and strains, heat and pressure applied, and the individual rocks and minerals there in that composed the material, they react differently and this is what causes the banding.

25 :: Explain me what is the general statement regarding the temperature of water in oceanic depths?

Generally, the relation is this – the further from the surface the colder the water.
This makes sense because of course as you go down further there is less and less sunlight, and therefore the temperature of the water drops.