Plate Tectonics
What is the primary reason the inner core of the Earth remains solid despite its high temperature?
a) It is composed of different materials than the outer core.
b) It is not exposed to the same level of heat as the outer core.
c) The pressure at the inner core is too high for iron to melt.
d) The inner core is shielded by the mantle from the heat of the outer core.
c) The pressure at the inner core is too high for iron to melt.
What does the Modified Mercalli Intensity value represent?
a) The distance to the epicenter
b) The energy released by the earthquake
c) The severity of effects experienced at a specific location
d) The logarithmic magnitude of the earthquake
c) The severity of effects experienced at a specific location
Which type of mountains is formed when magma pushes up but doesn't crack through the surface?
Dome mountains
What is the major cause of tides?
The gravitational pull of the moon
Which of the following is accurate regarding hot spots?
a) Hot spots are always located at plate boundaries.
b) Hot spots result from subduction of plates.
c) Hot spots are fixed in position within plates, while plates move over them.
d) Hot spots cause volcanic activity only within the Pacific Ocean.
c) Hot spots are fixed in position within plates, while plates move over them.
Which boundary type is characterized by plates sliding past each other horizontally?
Transform boundary
What type of volcanic feature forms when oceanic lithosphere is subducted under another oceanic lithosphere?
Island arcs
What is the change in the physical form or chemical composition of rock materials?
Weathering
What is the term for the global-scale system of ocean currents driven by temperature and salinity differences?
Thermohaline circulation
What effect does Earth's rotation have on the paths of wind belts and ocean currents?
It makes them curve.
What is the primary driving force behind plate tectonics?
Gravity
Which type of fault occurs when horizontal tensional stresses in brittle rocks result in the hanging wall block moving down relative to the footwall block?
Normal fault
What is the process by which the products of weathering are transported?
Erosion
What is the average time a water molecule spends in a particular reservoir within the hydrologic cycle called?
Residence time
How long does it take for a given cubic meter of water to complete the journey along the global conveyor belt?
1,000 years
Which part of the Earth’s structure makes up the largest percentage of its total volume?
Mantle
Reverse faults result from which type of stress?
Compressional stress
Which soil horizon is often referred to as topsoil?
A Horizon
The shape of the coast and ocean floor can affect what at different locations?
Tidal range
Which type of fault is characterized by horizontal motion along the fault with blocks moving in opposite directions?
Strike-slip fault
What type of stress is responsible for rocks being pulled apart at divergent plate boundaries?
Tensional stress
Which type of volcano is built up by many lava flows of low viscosity lava and has a wide base?
Shield volcano
The stretching and breaking of plates generally form which type of mountain?
Fault-block mountains
What is the process by which plants and animals release water vapor into the atmosphere?
Transpiration
What are the two main types of body waves?
Primary waves (P-waves) and secondary waves (S-waves)