Earth Science Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of most earthquakes?

Undersea landslides

Movement of the earth across a fault (correct)

Explosions of nuclear bombs

Volcanic activity

Which type of plate boundary is most commonly associated with major earthquakes of magnitude greater than 8.5?

Static plate boundaries

Convergent plate boundaries (correct)

Transform plate boundaries

Divergent plate boundaries

What distinguishes a fault from a joint in geological terms?

Faults involve movement across a fracture, while joints are cracks without movement. (correct)

Faults have no movement, while joints involve movement.

Faults are found only in oceans, while joints are found on land.

Faults occur during volcanic eruptions, while joints occur during earthquakes.

Which of the following types of plate boundaries does NOT typically result in the strongest earthquakes?

Divergent Signup and view all the answers

What type of earthquake is specifically caused by subduction movements?

Megathrust earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when local stress exceeds frictional resistance in fault surfaces?

Release of strain energy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fault is characterized by the hanging wall moving up relative to the footwall?

Reverse fault Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a normal fault?

Hanging wall moves down during extension Signup and view all the answers

Where are normal faults commonly found?

Seafloor spreading locations Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the angle and direction of the fault surface measured in a vertical plane?

Dip Signup and view all the answers

What type of fault is a reverse fault with a shallow dip angle?

Thrust fault Signup and view all the answers

In the context of faults, what defines a footwall?

Fault block that underlies the inclined fault surface Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly indicates the driving force behind reverse faults?

Predominantly compressional forces Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of divergent plate boundaries?

Formation of new oceanic crust Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is typically formed at convergent plate boundaries?

Mountain ranges Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes the sliding of one tectonic plate underneath another?

Subduction Signup and view all the answers

Which type of plate boundary is characterized by two tectonic plates sliding past one another?

Transform Signup and view all the answers

What kind of geological activity is associated with subduction zones?

Formation of mountain ranges Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'uniformitarianism' imply in geology?

Geological processes are constant over time Signup and view all the answers

How does the oceanic lithosphere change as it moves away from a mid-ocean ridge?

It becomes denser and older Signup and view all the answers

What type of collision occurs in an oceanic-oceanic subduction zone?

Older, denser crust subducts beneath younger crust Signup and view all the answers

What geologic formation can result from a continental-continental collision?

Linear mountain ranges Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes transform plate boundaries?

They result in shallow earthquakes without crust creation Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate at which tectonic plates generally move?

1 cm per year Signup and view all the answers

In which type of plate boundary does the closure of an ocean occur?

Convergent plate boundary Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features are typically associated with subduction zones?

Stratovolcanoes and deep ocean trenches Signup and view all the answers

What geological process is NOT associated with transform plate boundaries?

Volcanism Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Information

Earth is approximately 4.56 billion years old
The solar system is vast and has a common origin theory

Solar Nebula Hypothesis

Terrestrial planets formed closer to the protoplanetary disc
Gas giants formed further away from the protoplanetary disc
All planets orbit the sun in elliptical paths
Earth is a terrestrial planet
The Big Bang theory is a general theory for the creation of the universe

Early Earth

Molten state with no distinct layers
Constant bombardment from meteorites
Earth collided with Mars-sized object, forming the moon
Slow cooling and differentiation into layers

Earth's Layers

Crust: outermost, primarily light elements
Mantle: middle layer, denser and intermediate
Core: innermost, densest and metallic

Plate Tectonics

Divergent boundaries: where new crust is formed
Convergent boundaries: where crust is destroyed (subduction)
Transform boundaries: where plates slide past each other

Earthquakes

Caused by sudden movements of tectonic plates along faults
Measured on scales like Richter and Moment Magnitude
Foreshocks, mainshocks, and aftershocks are possible
Seismic waves (P, S, surface waves) transmit energy outwards

Earthquake Hazards

Collapsed buildings and bridges
Landslides, fires, ground liquefaction, tsunamis

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts in Earth science, including the age of Earth, the solar nebula hypothesis, and the formation of Earth's layers. It also delves into plate tectonics, including types of boundaries and their significance. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their understanding of geological processes.