Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz

Study Flashcards

Spaced Repetition

Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which layer of the Earth is primarily composed of iron and is the hottest?

Inner Core (correct)
Crust
Outer Core
Mantle

What term describes the process when the oceanic plate is forced down into the mantle?

Consolidation
Elevation
Subduction (correct)
Diversion

What was the name of the supercontinent proposed by Alfred Wegener?

Laurasia
Pangaea (correct)
Atlantis
Gondwana

Which of the following best describes the movement of tectonic plates?

<p>Driven by convection currents in the mantle (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is created above the Benioff zone?

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

Flashcards

Earth's layers

The Earth is divided into four main layers: crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

Continental Drift

The theory that continents were once joined together and have moved over time.

Plate movement

Continents move due to convection currents in the mantle.

Subduction

When one tectonic plate slides beneath another.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Destructive boundary (continental-oceanic)

A plate boundary where an oceanic plate sinks beneath a continental plate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

The Earth

Crust: Outer layer, made of rock and dirt
Mantle: Second layer, made of magma and rock
Outer Core: Third layer, made of magma
Inner Core: Final layer, hottest layer, contains iron

Continental Drift

Proposed by Alfred Wegener
225 million years ago, continents were joined as Pangaea
Huge landmass, all continents joined together
Wegener's idea based on similar shapes of continents
Plates move due to convection currents
Heated magma rises in the mantle
Cools, moving sideways, causing plates to move
Cooled magma restarts the cycle

Destructive Plate Boundaries

Continental on Oceanic

Continental plate collides with oceanic plate
Continental plate (lighter) rises
Oceanic plate sinks into the mantle (subduction)
Creates an ocean trench
Oceanic plate melts into mantle (Benioff zone)
Forms violent dome volcanoes above the Benioff zone

Oceanic on Oceanic

Oceanic plate collides with oceanic plate
One plate sinks under the other
Forms an ocean trench

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the layers of the Earth, including the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. It also covers the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener, and examines the interactions at destructive plate boundaries. Test your knowledge of these fundamental geological concepts!