Earth in Motion
What are the enormous sections of Earth’s outer surface that slowly move?
Tectonic plates
What do geologists study to collect information about Earth’s interior?
Earthquake waves
What is Earth’s outermost solid layer?
The crust
Which is a biological natural resource: sunlight, seawater, soil, or fish?
fish
What feature of Earth is mainly responsible for our seasons?
Earth’s tilt
What does the word geology literally mean the study of
Earth
What happens to earthquake waves that helps scientists recognize different layers inside Earth?
Their movement/speed/direction changes
What boundary is located at the bottom of Earth’s crust?
The Moho (Mohorovičić discontinuity)
What two things help determine whether a natural resource is valuable?
Demand and accessibility
If Earth were farther from the Sun beyond the habitable zone, what would likely happen to much of its surface water?
It would freeze
Is Earth’s crust generally thicker beneath continents or beneath oceans?
Continents
Besides earthquake waves, what two types of sensors can help scientists investigate structures deep inside Earth?
Gravity and magnetic sensors
What rigid layer includes Earth’s crust and part of the upper mantle?
The lithosphere
If a resource has been identified but is not currently being used, is it considered an actual resource?
No, until it is actually being used
What protects Earth from harmful radiation particles traveling through space?
Earth’s magnetic field
If Earth’s axis were not tilted but instead perpendicular to its orbital plane, how would Earth’s climate zones be affected
There would be a wider hot equatorial region and very cold polar regions
What evidence allows scientists to theorize about layers they cannot directly see inside Earth?
The way earthquake/seismic waves travel through Earth
What softer layer is found beneath the lithosphere?
The asthenosphere
What information is important when deciding how quickly a renewable resource can safely be used?
How quickly it can be replaced
Why is liquid water on Earth’s surface especially significant?
It is necessary for/supports life
Name three things that could happen if Earth orbited beyond the Sun’s habitable zone.
Less sunlight would reach Earth, plant growth would be limited, carbon dioxide clouds could form, and/or much of the surface water would freeze
How do geologists know Earth contains different internal layers without traveling inside the planet?
They study changes in earthquake waves as the waves pass through Earth
Which part of Earth contains both solid and liquid portions?
The core
What is one way to conserve a nonrenewable resource while continuing to use it?
Recycle it for reuse
Why is it important for people to wisely manage natural resources?
To prevent depletion/waste and make resources available for future use