Earth Science: Tectonic Plates and Layers

Tectonic Plates

• Earth's outer layer is broken into massive, moving pieces called tectonic plates.
• Plates interact at their boundaries, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.

Continental Drift

• The theory that continents have moved over time.
• Proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.
• Evidence includes matching coastlines, fossil distribution, and rock formations across continents.

Layers of the Earth

• Crust: The thin, outermost layer, composed of solid rock.
• Mantle: The thickest layer, composed of hot, dense rock that behaves like a very viscous fluid.
• Outer core: Liquid iron and nickel, responsible for Earth's magnetic field.
• Inner core: Solid iron and nickel, incredibly hot and under immense pressure.

Mantle Convection

• Heat from Earth's core creates convection currents in the mantle.
• Hotter, less dense material rises, while cooler, denser material sinks.
• This movement drives tectonic plate motion.

Test Format

• Multiple Choice Questions (15): Questions with four possible answers, only one is correct.
• Matching (8): Match terms or concepts with their definitions or descriptions.
• True/False (10): Statements about the topics, determine if they are true or false.
• Essay (Paragraph) Questions (4): Choose two out of four given essay topics, provide thorough explanations and evidence to support your answers.