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?

<p>Divergent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of earthquake is specifically caused by subduction movements?

<p>Megathrust earthquakes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Release of strain energy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Reverse fault (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a normal fault?

<p>Hanging wall moves down during extension (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are normal faults commonly found?

<p>Seafloor spreading locations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Dip (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Thrust fault (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of faults, what defines a footwall?

<p>Fault block that underlies the inclined fault surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly indicates the driving force behind reverse faults?

<p>Predominantly compressional forces (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of divergent plate boundaries?

<p>Formation of new oceanic crust (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is typically formed at convergent plate boundaries?

<p>Mountain ranges (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Subduction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Transform (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of geological activity is associated with subduction zones?

<p>Formation of mountain ranges (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'uniformitarianism' imply in geology?

<p>Geological processes are constant over time (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>It becomes denser and older (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Older, denser crust subducts beneath younger crust (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Linear mountain ranges (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes transform plate boundaries?

<p>They result in shallow earthquakes without crust creation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate at which tectonic plates generally move?

<p>1 cm per year (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Convergent plate boundary (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Stratovolcanoes and deep ocean trenches (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological process is NOT associated with transform plate boundaries?

<p>Volcanism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fault

A fracture or break in the Earth's crust where two blocks of rock move past each other.

Earthquake

The sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, causing the ground to shake violently.

Stress in the Earth's Crust

The buildup of pressure in the Earth's crust, caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which eventually leads to an earthquake.

Megathrust Earthquakes

Large, powerful earthquakes that occur along the boundaries of tectonic plates, where one plate slides under another.

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Subduction Zone

A type of plate boundary where two plates collide, causing one to slide under the other.

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Fault Surface

A planar surface along which movement or displacement occurs.

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Footwall

The fault block that underlies an inclined fault surface (ground where people stand).

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Hanging Wall

The fault block that overlies an inclined fault surface.

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Strike

The direction of the fault surface measured in the horizontal surface.

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Dip

The angle and direction of the fault surface measured in a vertical surface.

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Normal Fault

A fault where the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall. Occurs in areas of extension (pulling apart).

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Reverse Fault

A fault where the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall. Occurs in areas of compression (pushing together).

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Thrust Fault

A reverse fault with a shallow dip angle.

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Isostasy

The relationship between Earth's rigid outer layer (lithosphere) and the partially molten layer beneath (asthenosphere). The lithosphere floats on the asthenosphere because it is less dense.

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Divergent Plate Boundary

A zone where tectonic plates move apart, creating new oceanic crust.

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Convergent Plate Boundary

A plate boundary where tectonic plates collide, resulting in the destruction of oceanic crust, volcanic activity, and mountain formation.

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Transform Plate Boundary

The process where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

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Subduction

The process where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, often associated with earthquakes and volcanic activity.

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Oceanic-Continental Subduction

A type of convergent boundary where a dense oceanic plate slides beneath a less dense continental plate, forming volcanic mountain ranges and deep ocean trenches.

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Oceanic-Oceanic Subduction

A type of convergent boundary where a denser, older oceanic plate slides beneath a less dense, younger oceanic plate, creating volcanic island arcs.

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Volcanic Island Arc

A chain of volcanic islands formed by the subduction of oceanic plates.

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Oceanic Trench

A deep valley in the ocean floor formed by the subduction of oceanic plates.

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Plate Tectonics

The theory that explains the movement and interaction of Earth's tectonic plates.

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Uniformitarianism

The principle that the geological processes occurring today have been operating throughout Earth's history.

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Focus (Hypocenter)

The point within Earth's crust where an earthquake originates.

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Epicenter

The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

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Seismic Wave

A wave of energy that travels through the Earth's layers during an earthquake.

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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.

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