Tectonic Plates
what theory suggests that the earth's crust is moving?
theory of plate tectonics
what causes the Coriolis effect?
the rotation of the earth
the first layer of the atmosphere from the ground
troposphere
where do rain shadows occur?
leeward (East) side of mountains
what is the approximate age of the earth?
4.5-4.6 billion years
Where are younger rocks typically found in the crust?
near the top
why does warm air rise?
The layer that traps greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, warming it; this layer also blocks harmful solar radiation
ozone layer
what is the world's largest carbon reservoir?
oceans
When was the most recent ice age?
what is the term for two tectonic plates colliding?
convergent
what two factors effect thermohaline circulation?
temperature and salinity
what layer contains the ozone?
stratosphere
what is the amount of incoming radiation that is reflected by a particular surface?
albedo
when was the big bang
13.5 billion years ago
what plate boundary causes the sea floor spreading
divergent
what current of water brings warm temperatures throughout the North Atlantic Ocean?
gulf stream
what layer experiences extreme temperatures?
thermosphere
nitrogen gas turns into ammonia during this process
nitrogen fixation
pangea
255 million years ago
what is the name of the supercontinent, when all continents were once joined together?
pangea
where do warm ocean currents come from?
Where do cold ocean currents come from?
the equator
the poles
what two layers are weather balloons in?
stratosphere and mesosphere
what substance is great at sealing water?
a. clay
b. silt
c. sand
d. equal amounts of clay, sand, and silt
chicxulub crater impact
65 million years ago