LAYERS
What is the outermost layer of the Earth?
The crust.
What are tectonic plates?
Large and irregular pieces of Earth’s lithosphere (rocks) that move above the mantle.
What is a convergent boundary?
A place where two tectonic plates move toward each other.
Can we see others Earth's Layers?
(Think about volcanoes...)
Yes, we can see molten rocks from mantle while volcanoes are spreading lava
What is the main evidence that tells us that our planet is in constant movement?
(Think about continents)
Continental Drift (Pangea)
Which layer is made of semi-molten rock and allows plate movement?
The mantle (specifically the asthenosphere).
What is the name of the theory that explains plate movement?
Plate Tectonics Theory.
Why when there are two continental convergent boundaries none of them sinks?
Because both continental plates are made of low-density, neither is heavy enough to sink into the mantle.
What type of rock is most common in the continental crust?
Granite
What are all the Earth Layers?
1. Crust
Two types: continental crust and oceanic crust.
2. Mantle
Lithosphere
The asthenosphere is where plates move.
3. Outer Core
Responsible for Earth’s magnetic field.
4. Inner Core
Explain how plate movement creates mountain ranges.
When two continental plates converge, the crust is forced upward, folding and forming mountain ranges.
What geological features form where two oceanic plates converge?
Volcanic island arcs (such as Japan or the Philippines).
Why is the Earth’s crust is important for human life?
(Think about what we find in Minecraft caves...)
Because it contains essential resources such as soil, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels.
Explain why the outer core is liquid while the inner core is solid, even though both are extremely hot.
Pressure in the inner core is so high that atoms are forced into a solid state, while the lower pressure in the outer core allows it to remain liquid.
How do tectonic plate boundaries influence the location of earthquakes and volcanoes around the world?
Earthquakes and volcanoes normally occur along plate boundaries because that’s where plates collide, separate, or slide past each other, releasing energy or allowing magma to rise.
Why do powerful earthquakes normally occur at convergent boundaries?
Because subducting plates creates a lot of friction, building stress that is suddenly released as strong earthquakes.
What are geological faults?
(Like the San Andreas Fault)
Breaks in the Earth’s crust where rocks move past each other.
What is the main difference between continental crust and oceanic crust?
AND
What are the deepest holes found in each type of crust (natural or human-made)?
Continental crust is thicker and less dense, made of GRANITE; oceanic crust is thinner and denser, made of BASALT
Deepest human-made hole:
Kola Superdeep Borehole, Russia — 12.2 km deep
Deepest natural hole
Mariana Trench ~10 km below sea level
Why is Japan located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”?
Because Japan is above multiple converging tectonic plates (the Pacific Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, and Eurasian Plate), where subduction and intense plate movement cause frequent earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity.
What happens when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, and why does this occur?
AND
What is the name of the process that happen when one tectonic plate sinks beneath another?
The denser oceanic plate sinks beneath the continental plate in a process called subduction, forming deep trenches and volcanoes.
How do temperature and pressure change as you go deeper into the Earth’s crust, and how does this affect the types of rocks found there?
Both temperature and pressure increase with depth, causing rocks to become denser and metamorphose into new types due to heat and compression.