Science-Earths interior/plate tectonics

what process caused our planet to form layers?

differentation

What are the 5 physical layers of Earth?

lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core

In what 2 ways are oceanic and continental crust different?

Oceanic crust is denser and thinner, while continental crust is less dense and thicker.

What are large pieces of the lithosphere that move around the asthenosphere called?

tectonic plates.

Have we ever drilled through the crust?

no, we’ve only drilled a third of the way down.

what type of waves help scientists know about the layers and composition of earth?

Seismic waves

what is pangea?

Pangea is a supercontinent where every continent was molded together.

What does the hypothesis of Continental Drift say happened?

The continents slowly move around on tectonic plates.

what are three pieces of evidence that support continental drift?

Fossil distribution, geological similarities, and climatic evidence.

where is new oceanic crust created?

mid ocean ridges

where is old crust returned to the mantle?

Old crust is returned to the mantle at subduction zones where tectonic plates collide.

the process of sea floor spreading forms what underwater feature?

Mid-ocean ridges, which are long mountain ranges on the ocean floor where new oceanic crust is created.

where is the newest crust found?

The newest crust is found at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates are diverging.

where is the oldest oceanic crust found

subduction zones

what do we call the place where 2 tectonic plates touch?

tectonic plate boundary

what are three types of plate boundaires and how do they move

divergent, move apart, convergent, move towards each other, transform, slide past

what are some landforms that form at convergent boundaries?

Mountains, trenches, volconoes

What are some landforms that from at divergent boundaries

Mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, and new oceanic crust.

what happens at transform boundaries?

create faults and earthquakes

What is the fault in california called?

The San Andreas Fault

what causes tectonic plates to move

convection currents in the mantle

what tecnology do we use to track tectonic plates movement

GPS technology and satellite measurements

what are convection currents in the mantle

the flow of molten rock caused by earths interior heat.