History of Geology
Principles/Laws
Rock Types
Layers of the Earth
Miscellaneous
100
Describe the constant movement of Tectonic Plates.
They're always moving, just not in quick jolting movements that cause earthquakes/tsunamis and such.
100
Alred Wegner named his suercontinent this.
Pangea
100
Why were rocks and steam most likely the only things on Earth 4.66 billion years ago?
The big bang caused a collision creating Earth which generated enormous amounts of heat energy which didn't allow liqiuds to form.
100
This layer's thickness varies based on where you are.
Earth's crust.
100
Name the three types of plate boundaries.
Divergent, Convergent, and Transformation
200
If North America and Europe of moving in opposite directions, what does this mean about the relative size of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?
Atlantic Ocean is getting larger while the Pacific gets smaller.
200
Describe what 2 things can fill a cross-cutting section following crack in the layers (fault).
1) Lava or magma can fill it and solidify (more common)
2) Stuff (rocks, sand, organic materials) can fill it over time.
200
All rocks can turn into this intermediate stage before becoming sedimentary rocks thanks to erosion/weathering.
Sediment.
200
Describe the outer core.
Hot, liquid iron and nickel
200
What happens as a result of a transformation?
Earthquake, tsunamis
300
Alfred Wegner gave us the theory of continental drift. What were two pieces of evidence he used to support this theory?
1: The coastlines of continents like Africa and Asia appeared to fit like pieces of a puzzle.
2: Fossil records showed the same animals and plants despite the hundreds or thousands of miles and ocean in-between.
300
The Principle of Superposition and stratification say this about rock layers.
The oldest layers are found on the bottom -- newest layers on the top.
300
Describe how sedimentary rocks are formed. Give an example.
Formed from layers of sand, salt, dead plants and animals. Ex. Limestone, anthracite.
300
Describe the inner core.
9000-1300 degrees C, made of solid iron.
300
What did life on Earth 3.7 bya most likely look like?
Single-celled, small organisms
400
What was Harry Hess' contribution to geology?
Identified the shifting going on deep in the Earth's crust as Tectonic Plates.
400
Arrange these layers from oldest to newest:
C, B, A, D, E
400
Describe how Igneous rocks are formed. What's an example?
Fromed from metled rock deep in the earth. Ex. cooled magma, volcanic rock
400
This layer makes up 85% of the Earth's mass.
Lower mantle.
400
A - Crust
B - Upper Mantle
C - Lower Mantle
D - Outer Core
E - Inner Core
500
James Hutton had a theory he called Uniformitarianism. What does that mean?
Changes in the earth's crust results from continuous actions and cycles.
The past is the key to the present!
500
The Law of Original Horizontality says this.
Initially, the layers of rock and sediment are flat thanks to gravity. However, over time these layers can undergo folding events and erosion events that cause them to slope/curve.
500
Describe how Metamorphic rocks are formed. Give an example.
Formed from other rocks that are changed by heat, pressure, and TIME underground. Ex. diamond, jewels, marble.
500
This layer is composed of heavier elements, as well as oxygen, silicon, and magnesium.
Upper mantle.
500
What's the lithosphere?
Crust and upper mantle?