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Madrid PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam — Geología y Ciencias Ambientales 2º Bachillerato Madrid 2026 practice questions are available now; exam metadata is being verified.
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2026 Statistics
Key Facts: Madrid PAU Geology & Environmental Sciences Exam
Madrid PAU 2026
Official Madrid University Access Examination Authority
Comunidad de Madrid / UCM
90 Mins
Official examination time duration
PAU Madrid Regulations
Min 4.0
Minimum score required in Access Phase to calculate university admission mark
BOCM PAU Guidelines
5 Modules
Internal Processes, Surface Geomorphology, Petrology & Deep Time, Environmental Systems & Hazards, Sustainability
LOMLOE 2º Bachillerato Syllabus
100
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The Madrid PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences examination evaluates core geological literacy, Earth systems science, and environmental sustainability competencies for 2º Bachillerato students across Madrid.
Sample Madrid PAU Geology & Environmental Sciences Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Madrid PAU Geology & Environmental Sciences exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which seismic wave phenomenon accounts for the total absence of direct S-waves on seismograms recorded at angular distances greater than 104° from an earthquake focus?
A.S-waves cannot propagate through the liquid outer core because fluids lack shear strength.
B.S-waves undergo refraction and increase in speed, bending upward away from deep stations.
C.S-waves are converted into high-frequency Rayleigh surface waves at the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary.
D.S-waves are completely absorbed by plastic deformation within the solid inner core.
Explanation: Transverse shear waves (S-waves) require a rigid medium with shear strength to propagate. Because the Earth's outer core is molten liquid metal, shear stress cannot be transmitted, creating an S-wave shadow zone beyond 104° from the epicenter.
2A seismograph station records the initial arrival of P-waves at 10:00:00 AM and the initial arrival of S-waves at 10:00:15 AM. Assuming average P-wave velocity v_p = 8.0 km/s and S-wave velocity v_s = 4.0 km/s, what is the distance from the seismograph to the epicenter?
A.120 km
B.90 km
C.150 km
D.180 km
Explanation: The distance d is calculated using d = Δt / (1/v_s - 1/v_p). With Δt = 15 s, 1/v_s = 0.25 s/km, and 1/v_p = 0.125 s/km, we get d = 15 / (0.25 - 0.125) = 15 / 0.125 = 120 km.
3How do the compositional divisions of Earth's interior differ from its mechanical (rheological) divisions?
A.Compositional layers (crust, mantle, core) are defined by chemical composition, whereas mechanical layers (lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core) are defined by physical behavior.
B.Compositional layers are based on rigidity and ductility, while mechanical layers depend entirely on mineral crystal structures.
C.Mechanical layers represent chemical differentiation during primordial accretion, whereas compositional layers describe thermal convection units.
D.Compositional layers apply only to oceanic lithosphere, whereas mechanical layers describe continental margins.
Explanation: Earth is chemically divided into crust, mantle, and core based on rock composition and density differences. Rheologically, physical state and rigidity define the mechanical layers: rigid lithosphere, ductile asthenosphere, solid mesosphere, liquid outer core, and solid inner core.
4What physical mechanism generates Earth's main magnetic field according to the geodynamo theory?
A.Convection currents of molten iron-nickel in the outer core combined with Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect).
B.Permanent remanent magnetization of iron-rich minerals within the continental lithosphere.
C.Thermonuclear fusion occurring at the center of the solid inner core.
D.Piezoelectric currents generated by quartz crystals under extreme pressure in the lower mantle.
Explanation: Earth's geomagnetic field is generated by self-sustaining dynamo action in the liquid outer core, where thermal and compositional convection currents of liquid iron-nickel are organized into spiral columns by the Coriolis force.
5Under the Airy model of isostasy, what root depth r is required beneath a mountain range elevated h = 3.0 km above sea level, assuming average crustal density ρ_c = 2.7 g/cm³ and mantle density ρ_m = 3.3 g/cm³?
A.13.5 km
B.8.1 km
C.18.0 km
D.22.5 km
Explanation: Airy isostasy requires hydrostatic balance at the depth of compensation: r = h * (ρ_c / (ρ_m - ρ_c)). Substituting values gives r = 3.0 * (2.7 / (3.3 - 2.7)) = 3.0 * (2.7 / 0.6) = 3.0 * 4.5 = 13.5 km.
6If the mean surface temperature is 15°C and the average continental geothermal gradient is 30°C/km, what temperature is expected at a depth of 4.0 km?
A.135°C
B.120°C
C.150°C
D.105°C
Explanation: Temperature at depth d is T = T_surface + (gradient * d). Here, T = 15°C + (30°C/km * 4.0 km) = 15 + 120 = 135°C.
7What major observational discovery in the 1960s provided the key physical mechanism validating continental drift into modern Plate Tectonics?
A.Symmetrical paleomagnetic stripes recording magnetic reversals on opposite sides of mid-ocean ridges.
B.Discovery of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and Africa.
C.Matching fit of continental shelf boundaries across the Atlantic Ocean.
D.Glacial striations indicating Carboniferous ice flow directions across Gondwana.
Explanation: The Vine-Matthews-Morley hypothesis proved sea-floor spreading by linking seafloor paleomagnetic stripes to geomagnetic field reversals, providing the quantitative engine driving plate movement.
8Which rock sequence represents an ophiolite suite emplaced onto continental margins during ocean closure?
A.Deep-sea pelagic sediments, pillow basalts, sheeted dikes, layered gabbros, and mantle peridotites.
B.Granitic batholiths, ignimbrites, arkosic sandstones, and continental flood basalts.
C.Limestone reef structures, evaporites, red beds, and quartzites.
D.Eclogites, blue schists, migmatites, and high-grade regional gneisses.
Explanation: An ophiolite sequence preserves oceanic lithosphere: pelagic sediments (chert/shale) on top, followed by pillow basalts, sheeted dike complex, layered gabbros, and ultramafic mantle tectonites (harzburgite/lherzolite).
9What structural and bathymetric features characterize an oceanic-oceanic convergent subduction zone?
A.Deep oceanic trench, accretionary wedge, forearc basin, and volcanic island arc.
B.Central rift valley, high geothermal heat flow, transform faults, and pillow lavas.
C.Suture zone, broad interior plateau, regional thrust belts, and crustal thickening.
D.Linear escarpment, horizontal offset streams, sag ponds, and pressure ridges.
Explanation: Subduction of oceanic lithosphere beneath another oceanic plate creates a deep ocean trench where flexure occurs, an accretionary prism of scraped sediment, a forearc basin, and a curved chain of volcanic islands (island arc).
10What defines the Wadati-Benioff zone in subduction geodynamics?
A.A planar zone of dipping earthquake hypocenters tracing the descending cool oceanic slab into the mantle down to ~670 km.
B.The horizontal boundary separating the asthenosphere from the lower mantle mesosphere.
C.The shallow region of partial melting immediately beneath mid-ocean ridge crests.
D.The low-velocity seismic zone where basaltic magma accumulates in continental crust.
Explanation: The Wadati-Benioff zone is a dipping seismic surface produced by brittle deformation within subducting lithospheric plates, extending from shallow trenches down to the 670 km mantle transition zone.
About the Madrid PAU Geology & Environmental Sciences Practice Questions
Verified exam format metadata for Madrid PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam — Geología y Ciencias Ambientales 2º Bachillerato Madrid 2026 is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.