Mantle Convection EES.2.1
What causes mantle material to rise and sink?
Differences in temperature and density.
Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur near what features?
Plate boundaries.
What landform forms when two continental plates collide?
Mountains.
What is the process of breaking rocks into smaller pieces?
Weathering.
Volcanic ash can block sunlight and affect which Earth system?
Atmosphere (climate).
Mantle convection is often compared to what everyday phenomenon?
Boiling water.
The “Ring of Fire” is located around what ocean?
Pacific Ocean.
What topographic feature is formed at divergent boundaries in the ocean?
Mid-ocean ridges.
What process moves weathered rock from one place to another?
Erosion.
Lava flows reshape what Earth system?
Geosphere (land).
Mantle convection is the driving force behind what large-scale process?
Plate tectonics.
At which boundary do the strongest earthquakes usually occur?
Convergent boundaries (subduction zones).
A deep trench forms at what type of boundary?
Convergent boundary (oceanic-continental).
Soil is formed from weathered rock and what else?
Organic matter.
Volcanic eruptions can destroy habitats in which Earth system?
Biosphere.
What type of boundary is created when convection currents pull plates apart?
Divergent boundary.
What causes earthquakes at transform boundaries?
Plates sliding past each other.
What boundary creates rift valleys on land?
Divergent boundary.
What type of rock forms when magma cools?
Igneous rock.
What Earth system is affected when volcanic gases mix with rain to create acid rain?
Hydrosphere.
Explain why cooler, denser mantle material sinks while hotter material rises.
Because of density differences caused by temperature changes.
Why do volcanoes form at subduction zones?
Because one plate melts as it sinks, producing magma.
Why do transform boundaries not usually create major landforms?
Because plates slide past instead of building up/down.
How does weathering and erosion connect to the rock cycle?
They break down rocks into sediments, which can form sedimentary rocks.
Explain how a large volcanic eruption could cool global temperatures.
Ash and gases block sunlight in the atmosphere.