Earth's Layers
What is the outermost solid layer of the Earth called?
The crust
What are the large pieces of Earth’s lithosphere called?
Tectonic plates
Where is the San Andreas Fault located?
California
What layer lies directly beneath the crust?
The mantle
What happens at a divergent boundary?
Plates move apart
Which two tectonic plates meet at the San Andreas Fault?
The Pacific Plate and the North American Plate
What two parts of Earth make up the lithosphere?
The crust and the uppermost mantle
What happens at a convergent boundary?
Plates collide
What type of motion occurs along this fault?
Side-by-side (horizontal) motion
Why don’t we directly observe the mantle and core?
Because they are too deep and hot to reach; scientists rely on indirect evidence.
What happens at a transform boundary?
Plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.
Why does stress build up along the San Andreas Fault?
Because the plates get stuck and then release suddenly, causing earthquakes
What evidence tells scientists that Earth has different layers?
Seismic wave data or density differences
What forms as a result of convergent boundaries?
mountain & subduction zones
How can scientists use GPS data to study the San Andreas Fault?
By measuring the slow movement of the plates to track where strain is building.