Structure of the Earth
What is the thin outer layer of the Earth called?
The crust
What was the name of the supercontinent that existed millions of years ago?
Pangea
Name one of the three main types of rocks.
Igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic
Which layer of the Earth is the hottest?
The core
What happens at a convergent boundary?
Two plates move toward each other and can form mountains.
Which type of rock forms from lava or magma?
Igneous rock
What is the mantle mostly made of?
Hot rock (magma or semi-molten rock)
What happens at a divergent boundary?
Two plates move away from each other and new crust forms (seafloor spreading).
How does a volcano form?
A volcano forms when magma rises through cracks in the Earth’s crust and erupts as lava.
List the Earth’s layers from the outside to the inside.
Crust → Mantle → Core
What is an earthquake?
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by moving tectonic plates.
What causes a tsunami?
Underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions that move the seafloor.
Why is the Earth’s core so hot?
Because of extreme pressure and leftover heat from when the Earth formed (and radioactive heat).
What tool or scale is used to measure earthquakes?
Seismographs and earthquake scales (such as the Richter scale).
How can volcanoes or tsunamis change the Earth’s surface?
They can create new land, destroy land, move rock and soil, and reshape coastlines.