APES Unit 4 FRQ

plate tectonic theory

Pangea

In 1915, Alfred Wegener proposed that all present-day continents originally formed one landmass he called _.

Alfred Wegener

In 1915, proposed that all present-day continents originally formed one landmass he called Pangaea.

seafloor spreading theory

geologic process in which tectonic plates —large slabs of Earth's lithosphere —split apart from each other.

lithosphere

The is the solid, outer part of the Earth and is broken into huge sections called plates, which are slowly moving.

plates

The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth and is broken into huge sections called , which are slowly moving.

subduction zones

These are areas on Earth where two tectonic plates meet and move toward each other, with one sliding underneath the other and moving down into the mantle.

convergent boundaries

these occur when two plates slide towards each other

cascade mountain range

example of convergent boundaries

divergent boundaries

these occur when two plates slide apart from each other

divergent boundaries

It can create massive fault zones in the oceanic ridge system and areas of frequent oceanic earthquakes.

mid atlantic ridge and the east pacific rise

example of oceanic divergent boundary

East African great rift valley

example of continental divergent boundary

island arc

When two oceanic plates converge, they create an _ — a curved chain of volcanic islands rising from the deep seafloor and near a continent.

undersea trench

A deep _ is located in front of such arcs where the descending plate dips downward.

transform boundaries

These occur where plates slide past each other in opposite directions.

san Andreas fault

example of transform boundaries

igneous rocks

These are formed by cooling and classified by their silica content.

intrusive igneous rocks

Solidify deep underground, cool slowly, and have a large-grained texture.

extrusive igneous rocks

Solidify on or near the surface, cool quickly, and have a fine-grained smooth texture.

metamorphic rocks

These are formed by intense heat and pressure, high quartz content.

sedimentary

These are formed by the piling and cementing of various materials over time in low-lying areas.

nitrogen (N2)

• Fundamental nutrient for living organisms.

• Found in all organisms, primarily in amino acids and nucleic acids.

• Makes up about 3% of the human body by weight.

• Deposits on Earth through nitrogen fixation and reactions involving lightning and subsequent precipitation.

Oxygen (O2)

• By mass, the third most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen and helium.

• The most abundant element by mass in Earth’s crust, making up almost half of the crust’s mass as silicates.

Water Vapor (H2O)

• Largest amounts are found near the equator, over oceans, and in tropical regions.

• Polar areas and deserts lack significant amounts of

carbon dioxide (CO2)

• Produced during cellular respiration, the combustion of fossil fuels, and the decay of organic matter.

• Required for photosynthesis

• Major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming

troposphere

The lowest portion of Earth’s atmosphere, 0–6 miles (0–10 km) above Earth’s surface

stratosphere

It is located 6–30 miles (10–50 km) above Earth’s surface.

stratosphere

Ozone (O3) absorbs high-energy ultraviolet radiation from the sun and is broken down into atomic oxygen (O) and diatomic oxygen.

convection

It is the primary way energy is transferred from hotter to colder regions in Earth’s atmosphere and is the primary determinant of weather patterns.