Untitled Flashcards Set

What is the lithosphere?

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, divided into tectonic plates.

What causes the movement of tectonic plates?

Heat from the Earth's core creates convection currents in the mantle, which move the tectonic plates.

What is the asthenosphere?

A layer of the Earth's mantle beneath the lithosphere, composed of semi-fluid rock that allows tectonic plates to move.

Name the three types of plate boundaries.

Divergent, Convergent, and Transform boundaries.

What is seafloor spreading?

The process by which new oceanic crust forms at divergent boundaries as magma rises and solidifies.

What is subduction?

The process where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another at convergent boundaries, often leading to volcanic activity.

What happens at a divergent boundary?

Tectonic plates move apart, and new crust is created, as seen at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Plates collide, and one plate may be forced under the other, creating mountain ranges or deep ocean trenches.

What occurs at a transform boundary?

Plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes due to friction, like the San Andreas Fault.

Why do tectonic plates move?

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, driven by heat from the Earth's core.

What fossil evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

Identical fossils found on distant continents suggest they were once connected.

What is the significance of magnetic stripes on the ocean floor?

They show symmetrical patterns of Earth's magnetic field reversals, supporting seafloor spreading.

What geological features are commonly found at plate boundaries?

Earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges are commonly found along plate boundaries.

What is the Ring of Fire?

A region around the Pacific Ocean known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, associated with tectonic plate boundaries.

What is radiometric dating?

A technique used to determine the age of rocks, helping to understand the timing of tectonic events.

How do earthquakes and volcanoes support plate tectonics?

They occur along plate boundaries, indicating the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.

How does the age of oceanic crust change with distance from mid-ocean ridges?

Oceanic crust is younger near mid-ocean ridges and older as you move away from them.

What evidence from the distribution of fossils supports continental drift?

Identical species found on continents now separated by oceans suggest they were once part of a single landmass.

What is the Earth's crust?

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of both oceanic and continental crust.

What is the mantle?

The layer beneath the crust, composed of solid rock that can slowly flow and drive mantle convection.

What is the outer core?

A liquid layer of the Earth composed mainly of iron and nickel, responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field.

What is the inner core?

The solid center of the Earth, composed of iron and nickel, under extreme pressure and temperature.

How does mantle convection work?

Hot material rises from the Earth's interior, cools, becomes denser, and sinks, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

What is heat transfer in Earth's interior?

Heat from the Earth's core is transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation, influencing tectonic activity.

What is a volcanic eruption?

The release of magma from beneath the Earth's surface, commonly occurring at convergent or divergent plate boundaries.

What is the role of convection currents in plate tectonics?

Convection currents in the mantle push and pull tectonic plates, driving the movement of the Earth's lithosphere.

How do earthquakes occur?

Earthquakes happen when stress from moving tectonic plates causes rocks to break along faults, releasing seismic energy.

How does mountain building occur?

The collision of tectonic plates at convergent boundaries causes crust to fold and be pushed upward, forming mountain ranges.

What is mantle convection?

The process in which hot material rises, cools, and sinks in the Earth's mantle, driving tectonic plate motion.

How does convection contribute to plate tectonics?

Convection currents in the mantle drag the tectonic plates, causing them to move across the Earth's surface.

How does Earth's heat source affect mantle convection?

Heat from both primordial sources and radioactive decay in the core powers convection currents in the mantle.

What are convection cells?

Cyclic patterns of rising and sinking mantle material that drive tectonic plate movement.

How does thermal convection impact Earth's geology?

It leads to the creation of geological features like mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, and mountain ranges by driving plate movements.

How does thermal convection relate to Earth's interior heat?

The movement of heat from the core via convection contributes to plate motion and the Earth's dynamic surface processes.

What are renewable resources?

Resources that can naturally replenish over time, such as solar energy, wind, and freshwater.

What are nonrenewable resources?

Resources that are finite and take millions of years to form, such as fossil fuels and minerals.

How does human activity contribute to natural hazards?

Activities like deforestation and urbanization can exacerbate the risks of natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

What is the connection between human activity and climate change?

Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, release greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and extreme weather events.

How can societies mitigate the impact of natural hazards?

By improving infrastructure (e.g., earthquake-resistant buildings) and creating early warning systems.

What is sustainable resource use?

Using resources in a way that meets present needs without depleting them for future generations, through conservation and renewable energy initiatives.