Andalusia PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences study guide
Andalusia PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Andalusia PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences exam (Geología y Ciencias Ambientales) is one of the optional second-year Bachillerato subjects in the Spanish university entrance procedure run through the Andalusian universities' admissions system. It is aimed at students who have completed the science track and want a subject-specific score that counts toward admission to degrees such as Geology, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Geography, Civil or Mining Engineering, and teaching pathways. The Andalusia PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences study guide has 7 sections and about 3,029 words.
01Internal and external geodynamics: plate tectonics, magmatism, metamorphism and deformation
This domain tests how the exam frames Earth dynamics as one system: plate-scale tectonics driving deformation, magmatism and metamorphism, and surface processes shaping relief. Andalusia is the natural case study, because the Betic Cordillera records Mesozoic rifting, Cenozoic convergence between Eurasia and Africa, and late-orogenic extension.
442 words, about 2 min02Earth materials: minerals, rocks and their identification
This domain tests identification of minerals and rocks from diagnostic properties and textures, and the reasoning that links a material to its origin. Expect short identification tasks plus justification, not memorised lists.
364 words, about 2 min03Historical geology, stratigraphy and palaeontology
This domain tests relative and absolute dating, stratigraphic correlation and the use of fossils, with Andalusian examples. Questions usually ask you to order events or justify a correlation.
371 words, about 2 min04Geological resources
This domain tests classification of resources, ore-forming processes, reserve estimation and the environmental consequences of extraction. Andalusian deposits supply most of the examples.
372 words, about 2 min05Geological hazards and geological maps
This domain tests hazard and risk concepts, the main Andalusian hazards, and the reading of geological and topographic maps. Map questions reward careful scale and symbol work.
368 words, about 2 min06The physical environment: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and their interactions
This domain tests the Earth's physical environment as interacting spheres and the quantitative relationships between them. Expect water-balance and energy-budget reasoning alongside descriptive questions.
371 words, about 2 min07Environmental processes and pollution: air, water and soil
This domain tests pollutant sources, transport, transformation and effects in air, water and soil, using Andalusian cases such as the Guadiamar spill, Riotinto drainage, Almeria greenhouse agriculture and the Huelva industrial complex. Primary pollutants are emitted directly (SO2, NOx, CO, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds); secondary pollutants form in the atmosphere (ozone, PAN, secondary aerosols).
741 words, about 4 min