Earth Structure
Weathering
Any trembling or shaking of the earth's crust
earthquake
A ______ allows molten rock and hot gases to escape from within the earth.
volcano
A depression found at the top of a volcano
crater
The study of earth's structure
geology
The boundary between the earth's crust and mantle
Moho
Earthquakes sometimes cause monstrous waves called ?
tsunamis
A _____ is created when trapped gases blast through the earths surface.
vent
Smaller fragments of molten rock that solidify almost instantly
tephra
Scientists who study the structure of the earth.
Geologist
The point underground where an earthquake begins
focus
Magma that has reached the earth's surface
lava
Holes or cracks which serve as an escape vent for underground gases.
fumaroles
The temperature of rock ______ with depth.
increases
Define the two types of weathering
Chemical weathering:natural acids slowly eat into a rock, breaking it apart
Physical weathering: rock breaks down by water, ice or windblown sand.
The place at ground level that is directly above the focus of an earthquake.
epicenter
Define the difference between a dormant and active volcano.
Dormant: a volcano that has been active at some time in recorded history, but has not had a recent eruption.
active: a volcano that has erupted recently
Define the three TYPES of volcanoes
Shield Volcano: formed from larger amounts of very fluid lava that built up gradually. Hawaiian Islands were formed by this type of volcano.
Cinder Volcano: formed by eruptions of mostly tephra and very little lava. Paricutin is an example.
Composite Volcano:Formed by alternating layers of tephra and lava. Mt St. Helens if an example.
A break that appears at the boundary between two moving masses of rock
fault
Describe the three layers of the earth's sections (crust, mantle, core)
crust: the outermost layer of the earth. It is quite thin compared to the other layers
mantle: the middle layer of the earth, makes up the largest portion of the earth's interior; its made of solid rock.
core: innermost region of the earth. Divided into two sections (liquid) outer core and (solid) inner core, which are made up of metals rather than rock.
strength of the earthquake
magnitude
Running along the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the ____ is named for its many volcanoes.
Ring of Fire
Define the 3 CLASSIFICATIONS of volcanoes
Hawaiian: a volcano that produces LIQUID lava fountains or fire curtains
Plinian: a volcano characterized by hot clouds of GAS and dust that expels.
Strombolian: VERY ACTIVE volcanoes that erupt every 20 minutes. Forms gas bubbles that fling globs of lava through the air.
The study of earthquakes
seismology