Rock Cycle
What are the three main types of rocks in the rock cycle?
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic
What are the layers of Earth?
Crust, Mantle, Outer core, Inner Core
What are tectonic plates?
Large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.
Who proposed the theory of continental drift?
Alfred Wegener
What causes earthquakes?
The sudden release of energy in Earth's crust due to tectonic plate movement. Typically associated with Transform boundaries.
Explain how sedimentary rocks are formed.
Sedimentary rocks are formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, often from the erosion of other rocks.
Describe the characteristics of the Earth's crust.
The Earth's crust is the outermost layer, composed of solid rock that forms the continents and ocean floors.
What type of boundary is associated with a subduction zone?
Convergent Boundary, there are moving towards each other.
What evidence supports the theory of continental drift?
Evidence like fossil correlation, rock and mountain correlation, the apparent fit of the continents, and paleoclimate data support the theory of continental drift.
What do scientist use to measure the magnitude of an earthquake?
Seismograph
How are metamorphic rocks different from igneous rocks?
Metamorphic rocks are formed under heat and pressure, while igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
What is earth's outer most layer and what is it made of?
Earth's Crust, it is made of solid rock material.
How do tectonic plates contribute to the formation of mountains?
Mountains can form at convergent plate boundaries where plates collide and uplift the Earth's crust.
What was the name of the supercontinent that was formed 300-200 million years ago?
Pangea
Explain the process of triangulation and how it helps scientists determine the epicenter of an earthquake.
Three seismographs are used. They made a radius around the seismograph. Then you can see where all the circles overlap, like a Venn diagram. The place where all the circles overlap is where the earthquake most likely happened – that's the epicenter!
What process changes metamorphic rocks into magma?
Melting due to high temperatures and pressure within the Earth's crust can change metamorphic rocks into magma.
Where might you find igneous rocks?
Near Volcanoes and Ridges
Describe the types of plate boundaries
The types of plate boundaries include divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, and transform boundaries.
How has the theory of continental drift changed our understanding of Earth's history?
It has led to the development of plate tectonics theory and a deeper understanding of Earth's geological processes.
What Plate Boundary is most commonly associated with a trench and volcano formation
Convergent boundary- specifically a subduction zone
How are igneous rocks formed in the rock cycle?
Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Explain the role of the inner core in Earth's structure.
The inner core is a solid sphere of iron and nickel that generates the Earth's magnetic field and contributes to its internal heat. Transfers energy to the mantle and drives the tectonic plate movement.
How do tectonic plates move?
Tectonic plates move due to the convection currents in the mantle, which drive the plates apart or together.
Describe the role of fossil evidence in Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift.
Fossil evidence of similar species found on separate continents supports the idea that these landmasses were once connected.
Explain the significance of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a major divergent boundary running through the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to the widening of the ocean basin.