Earth Forces: Hazards, Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes

Fill-in-the-blank review cards covering the Earth's layers, plate tectonics, boundary types, volcano formation and impacts, and earthquake characteristics and mitigation.

A natural hazard is defined as a sudden, severe event which is almost __________ to control.

impossible

When many lives are lost due to a natural hazard, it becomes a __________.

natural disaster

The thinnest layer of the Earth, which we live on, is the crust, measuring __________ thick.

$$90\,\text{km}$$

The thickest layer of the Earth is the mantle, which has a thickness of __________.

$$2590\,\text{km}$$

The Earth's mantle is a semi-molten layer of liquid and solid rock with a temperature of __________.

$$2000^\circ\text{C}$$

The outer core is a liquid rock layer that has a thickness of __________.

$$2000\,\text{km}$$

The temperature recorded in the Earth's outer core is __________.

$$5500^\circ\text{C}$$

The inner core is a $1300\,\text{km}$ thick solid ball composed of __________.

nickel and iron

The Earth's crust is divided into tectonic plates, consisting of $7$ major plates and __________ minor plates.

$$8$$

Tectonic plates slide across the mantle and can move up to __________ a year, roughly the rate that nails grow.

$$5\,\text{cm}$$

Continents move around because they are 'floating' on the plates, a process called __________.

CONTINENTAL DRIFT

Tectonic plates are moved by circular heat movements in the mantle known as __________.

CONVECTION CURRENTS

In the diagram, two tectonic plates are moving away from each other, which illustrates a __________ plate boundary.

divergent

Divergent plates move apart from each other and typically cause __________ volcanic and earthquake activity.

gentle

Transform plates slide past each other, causing violent earthquake activity but no __________ activity.

volcanic

When two plates crash directly into each other, they are known as __________ plates.

convergent

During Stage 1 of volcano formation, magma rises through cracks and weaknesses in the __________.

Earths Crust

During Stage 3 of volcano formation, the erupted lava cools down and turns into __________.

solid rock

A positive agricultural benefit of volcanic eruptions is the creation of __________.

fertile soil

Earthquakes are vibrations caused by earth movements at plate boundaries and at major __________, which are cracks in the earth's surface.

fault lines

Every year, the Earth experiences over __________ earthquakes, though most are too weak to be felt.

a million

An example of an earthquake-proof building designed to absorb energy and withstand ground movement is the __________ in San Francisco.

Transamerica Pyramid

Household emergency kits prepared for earthquakes typically include first-aid items, blankets, tinned food, and bottles of __________.

water