Minerals
What is feldspar?
The most common mineral in Earth's crust
How much of earth consists of volcanic rock?
More than three-quarters
How long is a Martian year?
687 days
How many lightning strikes occur in the world every second?
About 100
326 million cubic miles
How much gold has been discovered worldwide?
425 million pounds
Is Earth's core solid?
The inner portion is solid, the outer is molten.
How was the moon formed?
Theories suggest a large mars-sized object collided with earth, shattering the object which caused its pieces to orbit around earth and eventually form the moon.
How many people worldwide are at risk from volcanoes
500 million
How much would sea level rise if the antarctic ice sheet melted?
220 feet
Can rocks float?
Some pumice which is produced by volcanic eruptions can float
Why is earth relatively free of craters compared to the moon?
Earth is more geologically active
Does earth have the solar system's worst weather?
No, Mars has seen hurricane-like storms four times the size of Texas, Jupiter has one twice the size of earth as its signature red spot, and Pluto is colder than the coldest place on earth.
What is the hottest place on Earth?
El Azizia at 136F
What’s the deepest place in the ocean?
36,198 feet at the Mariana Trench
What minerals produce some of the colors in fireworks?
Strontium results in deep reds, copper makes blue, sodium yellow, and iron filings and charcoal produces gold.
Do the earth's molten insides move?
Yes, they have currents and move in swirling vortices similar to hurricanes.
Which planets in the solar system have rings?
Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, and possibly earth in the past
What is the largest volcano?
The Mauna Loa volcano which rises more than 50,000 feet above its base.
What percentage of the world’s water is in the oceans?
About 97 percent.
What are the two major gold-producing countries?
South Africa, the USA
How far is it to the center of the Earth
3,700 miles
How long is the average Martian day?
24 hours and 37 minutes
What was the deadliest earthquake?
An earthquake in 1557 occurred in China that killed and estimated 830,000 people
What percentage of the world’s fresh water is stored as ice?
70%