40+ Easy and fun geology trivia for kids and adults

Are you a rock person? If you are, then what’s your pet rock made of? Even if you don’t have one, this geology trivia is perfect for learning more about rocks and all things geology.

Because rocks are an integral part of our world as they form a good chunk of the earth’s crust, and they are geologically fascinating features. From small pebbles to mountains and caves, they offer a sight to behold. 

With this geology trivia, you will not only gauge your rocky wisdom but also have fun with your friends during your trivia nights, camping trips, or rock-climbing adventures.

Let’s get started on this rock quarry.

Fun geology trivia

Have fun with the below geology trivia as you test your limit.  

• What is the name of the ancient supercontinent that existed about 300 million years ago? It later separated into the current continents. Hint: It’s derived from an old Greek word. Pangaea.
• What is the name of the only type of rock that floats in water? Pumice. Why does it float? It has air pockets inside it.
• What causes an earthquake?
• Which is the highest/tallest volcanic mountain on the earth? Mauna Kea found on Hawaii Island in the Pacific ocean.
• The Dominican Republic is said to have the only deposit of which rare mineral in the world? Blue Amber.
• Name one type of lava flow of Hawaiian origin term. Pahoehoe.
• What sort of rock is used for sharpening knives? An oil stone.
• What is the name of the melted rock expelled during a volcanic eruption? Lava.
• A palaeontologist studies fossil records, while a seismologist studies? Earthquakes.
• What is the name of the study of rocks? Geology.
• Does the Lapis Lazuli gemstone have a distinctive color? Which color is it? Blue.
• Name one prominent feature: the border between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. The San Andreas fault.
• Which three regions have the most volcanic mountains in the US? Hawaii, Alaska and West coast states.
• What is the name of the active mud volcano found in Colombia? El Totumo.
• What type of rock are the famous Mount Rushmore sculptures curved from? Granite.
• Name the two types of igneous rocks. Intrusive igneous rocks and extrusive igneous rocks.
• What is the depth of the Kola superdeep borehole in Russia? At 40,230 feet (12,262 meters), it is the deepest man-made borehole on earth.
• What is the name of the type of rock that forms the walls of the Grand Canyon? Sedimentary.
• In which country is the ‘eye of the Sahara’ found? Mauritania.
• What is the process through which one rock type is formed into another rock type? Rock cycle.
• What is the name of the rock that is part of the ingredient for manufacturing cement? Limestone.
• Who is the father of modern geology? James Hutton.
• What is a reef in maritime navigation? It’s an area of rocks formed over millions of years found just below the sea surface. It is home to different sea creatures.
• Which region in the North Atlantic ocean experiences the most considerable number of earthquakes in numbers? Alaska.
• What is the study of the water under the earth’s surface called? Hydrogeology.
• What is the part of the earth with the most extended mountain range? The ocean.
• What is the distinctive color of the famous peridot gemstone? Green.
• What tool can you use to separate small particles of rocks from large ones? A sieve.
• What is the name of the place with the most extensive cave system in the world? Gunung mulu in Malaysia.
• What is the name of the famous monolith made of sandstone found in Australia? Uluru or Ayers rock.
• During a rock cycle, limestone forms which rocks? Marble.
• State one fun fact about bauxite. It’s an ore of aluminum.
• What is the study of caves? Speleology.

Hard geology trivia

This geology trivia is for you.

• What is the branch of geology that studies water under the earth’s surface? Hydrogeology.
• What is the Triassic period? The period of the rise of dinosaurs and reptiles.
• What does a moh scale measure? The scale of hardness of minerals.
• What is the name of the energy we get from ancient remains that form fossils? Fossil fuel.
• A ‘fool’s gold’ is the nickname given to which mineral? Pyrite.
• What is the difference between stalactite and stalagmite rocks? Stalactite hangs from the ceiling of caves while Stalagmite forms from the cave’s floor upwards.
• What do you call a piece of rock inside a different kind of rock? Xenolith.
• What is the name given to the process by which the wind can change the surface of the earth? Eolian process.
• What is the geology study of the moon called? Selenology.
• Which is the deadliest mineral on earth? Cinnabar(Mercury sulfide).
• What are strata in geology? It’s the distinct layers in which sedimentary rocks are divided.
• Name one fun fact about the mineral Anthracite. It’s the type of coal that occurs the deepest.
• What is the geological term for the steam energy obtained from the underground? Geothermal.
• What is the nickname given to the sedimentary rock Permian? Brown coal.
• The Nazca tectonic plate lies between which two plates? The South American plate and the Pacific plate.
• What is the name of the period in geological history that saw the rise of mammals and birds? Jurassic period.
• What are the two main ores of titanium? Carbonite and Patronite.
• State the law of superposition in geology. Each layer of rock is older than the one below it and younger than the one above it in a sequence of sedimentary rocks.
• What is the name of the sharp boundary between the mantle and the crust in the earth’s structure? Moho.
• What is the name of the impression left by a volcano? A caldera.
• What is the name of the extinct volcano? Olympus mons. Where was it located? Mars.
• The great lakes hold what percentage of the world’s available freshwater? More than 20%.
• State one fun fact about the mineral’ cubic zirconia’. It can be polished to look like a diamond.
• Name the starting and the ending point of the great rift valley—Lebanon in Asia and Mozambique in Africa.
• In geology, what does the term amorphous mean? Without shape. Name examples of such things. Water and gas.
• Iron accounts for what percentage of the earth’s composition? 35%.
• What is the distinctive color of the gemstone rhodochrosite? Pink.
• Name three geological periods. Triassic, Jurassic, and carboniferous periods.
• What is gangue in geology? It is the useless stormy minerals that come along with metallic ore.
• The color green and pink make up which naturally occurring gemstone? Watermelon tourmaline.

Related: Fun chocolate trivia questions

Easy geology trivia

In this section, we have prepared a nice geology trivia with some amazing geology facts.

• How old is the earth estimated to be? 4.5 billion years.
• Name the two types of volcanic mountains—active and Dormant volcanic.
• Name one type of soil that contains rock particles. Sandy soil.
• What is the name of the hardest mineral compound on earth? Diamond.
• Which piece of equipment is used for measuring the strength of earthquakes? A Seismograph.
• What method is used to find the age of objects from the decaying carbon? Carbon dating.
• Mount Everest can fit in the Marian trench and leave a mile on top. True or false? True.
• What does weathering mean in geology? It is the gradual process by which different elements break down rocks.
• The earth has three layers. Name them from their outer one to their inner core layer. Crust, Mantle and Core.
• How are igneous or magma rocks formed? When liquid rock (lava) from deep in the earth cools and crystallizes.
• What is the name of the innermost structure of the earth? The core.
• Does the gemstone jet have a distinctive color? Black.
• Name the four most abundant elements of mass found in the earth’s crust. Silicon, Oxygen, Iron, and Aluminum.
• In which city are the Niagara falls found? Niagara, Canada.
• Name two examples of metamorphic rocks. Marble and Gneiss.
• What is the name of the geographical phenomenon through which magma and gasses are expelled from the earth’s interior? Volcanic eruption.
• Name the three major types of rocks in the world. Metamorphic, Sedimentary, and Igneous.
• What is the distinctive difference between a Richter scale and a Mercalli scale? A Richter scale measures the energy released by an earthquake. A Mercalli scale measures the effects of an earthquake.
• What is the composition of the fertile loam soil? Silt, sand, organic material and clay. (It’s a form of rich soil) .
• Which class of science does geology belong to? Natural sciences.
• Name one geological fun fact about Iceland. It is built entirely on volcanic rocks.
• What is magma? It is the name of the molten rocks found inside a volcanic mountain. Once it’s discharged out through eruption, it’s called lava.
• What is the hardness of a diamond on a Mohs scale? 10.
• What is the geological term where water curves landmass and even rocks over a long time? Erosion.

Rocks continue to provide us with free mineral resources like natural gas and gemstones that have transformed our lives. 

For the love of rocks, use this geology trivia in your trivia games and make your knowledge rock solid.