Earth's Layers
What is the outermost layer of the Earth?
Crust
What type of rock is formed from cooled lava?
Igneous rock
What natural disaster is caused by tectonic plate movement?
Earthquake
What are preserved remains of ancient life called?
fossils
What process breaks down rocks into smaller pieces?
weathering
Name the layer of the Earth that is liquid.
Outer Core
What type of rock is formed through sedimentation?
Sedimentary Rock
What do we call the molten rock beneath the Earth's surface?
magma
How are fossils used to date geological layers?
By examining the age of the fossils within the layers.
What causes erosion by water?
Flowing water carrying sediment.
Which layer is the thickest?
Mantle
What is granite primarily made of?
Quartz, feldspar, and mica
What is a primary cause of earthquakes?
Movement of tectonic plates
What type of fossil is formed in sedimentary rock?
Mold fossil
Explain how wind contributes to erosion.
Wind can carry small particles away, wearing down surfaces.
Describe the composition of the inner core.
A solid sphere made mainly of iron and nickel
Name an example of an igneous rock.
Basalt
What geological feature is formed by volcanic activity?
Volcano
How can fossils inform us about past climates?
They provide evidence of the environment in which the organisms lived.
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks; erosion is the movement of those particles.
What layers make up the Earth's crust?
Continental crust and oceanic crust
How do metamorphic rocks form?
Through heat and pressure
What is the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis?
Earthquakes can trigger tsunamis
What can fossils tell us about the age of a rock layer?
The relative age based on the fossil record.
Describe a sequence of events in erosion.
Weathering → Transportation → Deposition