Earth's Interior
The number of layers of the Earth
What is four?
This evidence tells us when and where plants and animals once existed, providing support for the idea that the continents used to be connected.
What is a fossil record?
When two plates trying to slide past each other finally break free, a burst of energy is released, causing ___________.
What is an earthquake?
Molten rock above Earth's surface
What is lava?
This type of stress pushes rock in two different directions, creating faults in Earth's crust.
What is shearing?
The thinnest layer of the Earth
What is the crust?
The continents fit together like puzzle pieces to form this supercontinent.
What is Pangaea?
This term refers to one plate sliding below another.
What is subduction?
Volcanoes often form here, where an oceanic plate is forced below a continental plate.
What is a subduction zone?
The energy released when tectonic plates finally slide past each other
What is a seismic wave?
This layer of the Earth is made of molten metal.
What is the outer core?
This phenomenon, which happens at the bottom of the ocean, explains how the continents are moved by magma rising from mid-ocean ridges.
What is seafloor spreading?
When two plates of this type collide, mountains are formed.
What are continental plates?
This region bordering the Pacific plate is home to 75% of the world's volcanoes and 90% of the world's earthquakes.
What is the Ring of Fire?
This seismic wave is slower, and it moves the ground from side to side or up and down.
What is an S-wave?
This kind of evidence comes from digging and provides more information about the Earth's interior.
What are rock samples?
The theory of continental drift was not initially accepted because it did not explain this.
What is the movement of the continents?
This form of heat transfer in the mantle causes magma to cycle, making tectonic plates move.
What are convection currents?
This tall, steep mountain forms when layers of lava alternate with layers of ash.
What is a composite/stratovolcano?
The visual representation of a seismic wave
What is a seismogram?
This kind of evidence comes from tracking wave paths and speeds to help determine the layers of the Earth.
What is seismic wave evidence?
The scientist responsible for the theory of continental drift
Who is Alfred Wegener?
This type of stress on Earth's crust occurs at a divergent boundary.
What is tension?
This property describes the change in the shape of Earth's surface caused by magma underneath.
What is deformation?
This term describes when and where earthquakes occur.
What is seismicity?