Plate Tectonics and Earth's Structure
What is the name of the boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other?
Divergent boundary.
Which process describes the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces?
Weathering
What is deforestation, and how does it affect Earth’s systems?
Deforestation is the clearing of forests for human activities. It can lead to habitat loss, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and soil erosion.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area.
What is the difference between an earthquake and a volcanic eruption?
An earthquake is the shaking of the ground due to tectonic activity, while a volcanic eruption occurs when magma reaches the surface.
What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates collide?
Convergent boundary.
Name the three main types of rocks.
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
How does burning fossil fuels impact the Earth's atmosphere?
It releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change.
What is a jet stream, and how does it affect weather patterns?
A jet stream is a fast-flowing air current found high in the atmosphere. It influences the movement of weather systems.
What scale is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?
The Richter scale.
What geological feature is commonly formed at a divergent boundary where two tectonic plates are pulling apart?
A mid-ocean ridge.
What is the rock cycle?
The process by which rocks change from one type to another over time through processes like cooling, heating, pressure, and weathering.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases, which leads to an increase in global temperatures.
Name the one types of cloud
cumulus, stratus, and nimbus
What is a tsunami, and how is it triggered?
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides
What type of tectonic plate boundary is responsible for the formation of the Himalayas mountain range, and what is the primary cause of their formation?
A convergent boundary, where two continental plates collide, causing the land to buckle and form mountains.
Which process occurs when water moves through the soil and rock layers underground?
infiltration
How can pollution of water systems impact ecosystems?
Polluted water can harm aquatic life, disrupt food chains, and affect human water sources.
What is the Coriolis effect, and how does it influence weather patterns?
The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving air and water due to Earth’s rotation. It causes winds to rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
How can humans prepare for natural hazards like hurricanes or floods?
By building stronger infrastructure, developing early warning systems, and creating evacuation plans.
Explain how hotspots work in terms of plate tectonics, and provide an example of a geological feature formed by a hotspot.
A hotspot is a location where a plume of hot mantle material rises through the Earth's crust, creating volcanic activity independent of plate boundaries. The Hawaiian Islands are an example of an island chain formed by a hotspot.
Explain the process of plate subduction, including what happens to the materials at the subduction zone, and how this process contributes to the recycling of Earth’s materials.
Plate subduction occurs when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another at a convergent boundary. The denser oceanic plate is often subducted beneath a lighter continental plate. As the plate sinks into the mantle, the materials are heated and undergo metamorphism. Some materials may melt and contribute to magma, which can lead to volcanic eruptions. Subduction zones also recycle Earth's materials, as the sinking plate is eventually returned to the mantle, where minerals and elements can be reintroduced into the Earth's crust through volcanic activity or other geological processes.
Discuss the long-term effects of climate change on Earth’s systems, focusing on the impacts on both biodiversity and weather patterns.
Climate change leads to shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events (e.g., heatwaves, storms, droughts). These changes can drastically affect biodiversity, as many species may not be able to adapt or migrate fast enough to survive in their changing habitats, leading to a loss of species and ecosystems. Additionally, weather patterns become more erratic, with more intense storms, altered rainfall distribution, and rising sea levels due to melting ice caps.
What is the water cycle (also known as the hydrologic cycle), and how does it influence weather patterns?
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface. It involves several key processes:
Evaporation: Water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water is heated by the sun and changes into water vapor, rising into the atmosphere.
Condensation: As the water vapor cools, it condenses into tiny water droplets, forming clouds.
Precipitation: When the water droplets in clouds combine and become too heavy, they fall back to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.
Infiltration and Runoff: Some of the water soaks into the ground (infiltration) to replenish groundwater, while the rest flows over the surface (runoff) into rivers and oceans.
The water cycle plays a crucial role in weather patterns because it affects the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. For example, areas with frequent evaporation and condensation (like near oceans) often have more rainfall, influencing local weather and the climate of the region. It also contributes to the development of storms, clouds, and precipitation, all of which are central to daily weather conditions.
What are hurricanes, and how do scientists predict when and where they will occur?
A hurricane is a large, powerful storm that forms over warm ocean waters and can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding to coastal areas. Scientists predict hurricanes by using satellite images to track the storm's development and radar to see how it is moving.