Earth's Layers
What is the outermost layer of the Earth called?
Crust
What is the theory that the earth's surface is broken up into large pieces that float on top of the asthenosphere?
The Plate Tectonic Theory
What 3 pieces of evidence were used to prove that Pangea existed over 200 million years ago?
Continents fit together like a puzzle
Rock layers line up
Fossils of similar organisms were found oceans apart
What is the area around the Pacific Ocean called where most of the Earth's volcanoes and Earthquakes occur?
The Ring of Fire
Jane believes that plate tectonics is a theory, and Mario believes it is a law. Which of the following best supports Jane’s argument?
Ⓐ Plate tectonic theory specifies how fast the plates may have moved in the past.
Ⓑ Plate tectonic theory gives a precise prediction of the direction of plate tectonics.
Ⓒ Plate tectonic theory explains why the outer layers of the Earth move and change.
Ⓓ Plate tectonic theory provides a means to calculate exactly where and when the plates will move.
Ⓒ Plate tectonic theory explains why the outer layers of the Earth move and change.
What layer do the tectonic plates float on?
Asthenosphere or Mantle
Which of the following statements about volcanic eruptions is true?
Ⓐ Volcanoes store nuclear energy, causing them to erupt.
Ⓑ Convection currents in the mantle cause magma to rise to the surface and erupt from the volcano.
Ⓒ Volcanic eruptions occur when the internal pressure within the volcano drops below the pressure of the surrounding rock.
Ⓓ Magma erupts from the volcano because magma is only composed of gas bubbles, making it less dense than the rock around it.
Ⓑ Convection currents in the mantle cause magma to rise to the surface and erupt from the volcano.
The type of tectonic plate boundary where plates collide and has a subduction zone is ______.
Convergent Boundary
Terry is creating a presentation about seafloor spreading. Which of the following statements is a fact he should include in his presentation?
Ⓐ Seafloor spreading occurs within subduction zones at a consistent rate.
Ⓑ Seafloor spreading is a result of convection currents in Earth’s inner core.
Ⓒ Seafloor spreading can occur at both divergent and convergent plate boundaries.
Ⓓ Seafloor spreading occurs along mid-oceanic ridges resulting in the formation of new crust.
Ⓓ Seafloor spreading occurs along mid-oceanic ridges resulting in the formation of new crust.
This liquid metal layer of the Earth is responsible for Earth's Magnetic Field.
Outer Core
Geologists apply various methods to study the layers of the Earth. Which of the following is a method used to study the Earth’s layers?
Ⓐ Scientists use seismic waves to map the atmospheric conditions above Earth's crust.
Ⓑ Scientists map seismic waves to determine the atomic structure of materials that lie beneath Earth's surface.
Ⓒ Scientists measure vibrations of Earth's surface using a compass (an instrument that is sensitive to Earth's magnetic field).
Ⓓ Scientists measure the time it takes for seismic waves to reach a seismograph (an instrument that measures seismic waves).
Ⓓ Scientists measure the time it takes for seismic waves to reach a seismograph (an instrument that measures seismic waves).
This type of plate boundary occurs at mid-ocean ridges.
Divergent
Which of the following statements best describes Earth’s inner core and Earth’s outer core?
Ⓐ The convection of liquid metals in the inner core creates a magnetic field at the outer core.
Ⓑ The outer core is under too much pressure to be solid because the inner core is melting it.
Ⓒ The inner core is composed of liquid iron and nickel, and the outer core is a solid ball of iron.
Ⓓ The liquid outer core of the Earth lies above the Earth’s solid inner core and below its mantle.
Ⓓ The liquid outer core of the Earth lies above the Earth’s solid inner core and below its mantle.
Which two layers make up Earth’s tectonic plates (lithosphere)?
Crust and Upper Mantle
At a divergent boundary how do the age of the rocks far away from the boundary compare to rocks near the boundary?
They are older.
Earthquakes and volcanoes are caused by geological events and have much in common. Which of the following is true about both earthquakes and volcanoes?
Ⓐ Volcanic activity may cause earthquakes.
Ⓑ Earthquakes are pretty common, but volcanic eruptions are rare events.
Ⓒ Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions tend to occur most frequently in the center of a tectonic plate.
Ⓓ Tectonic plate movement plays a role in the formation of volcanoes, but has nothing to do with the strength of earthquakes.
Ⓐ Volcanic activity may cause earthquakes.
Which of the following best describes the development of the theory of plate tectonics?
Ⓐ Scientists developed the theory of plate tectonics without empirical evidence.
Ⓑ Scientists believed that the existing Law of Universal Gravitation supported the theory of plate tectonics.
Ⓒ Scientists established the theory of plate tectonics by observing plate movement directly within Earth's core.
Ⓓ Scientists used the discovery of seafloor spreading to support continental drift, which led to the theory of plate tectonics.
Ⓓ Scientists used the discovery of seafloor spreading to support continental drift, which led to the theory of plate tectonics.
Jake and Darnell are creating flashcards to help them study for a test on Earth's internal structures. Which statement below is the only factual statement that they should include on their flashcards?
Ⓐ Earth's liquid inner core creates a magnetic field.
Ⓑ Earth's core can be studied directly by drilling into the crust.
Ⓒ Scientists use seismic wave data to study the Earth's structure.
Ⓓ Materials that make up Earth's layers all have the same densities.
Ⓒ Scientists use seismic wave data to study the Earth's structure.