Questions and Answers
What are seismic waves?
Vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake.
What are the two main types of evidence geologists use to learn about Earth's interior?
Direct evidence from rock samples and indirect evidence from seismic waves.
What are the three main layers of the Earth?
The crust, the mantle and the core.
How does pressure change as you go from the surface to the center of the Earth?
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How does temperature change as you go from the surface toward the center of the Earth?
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What is the mantle?
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What is the lithosphere?
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What is the asthenosphere?
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What is the outer core?
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What is the inner core?
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What are both parts of the core made of?
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What is the dark-colored rock that makes up most of the oceanic crust?
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What is the light-colored rock that makes up most of the continental crust?
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What is the crust?
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What are the two types of crust called that make up Earth's outer skin?
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Study Notes
Earth's Interior Overview
- Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through Earth, conveying energy released during earthquakes.
- Evidence used by geologists to study Earth's interior includes direct evidence from rock samples and indirect evidence from seismic waves.
Earth's Layers
- The Earth is composed of three primary layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core.
- Pressure within the Earth increases as one moves from the surface to the center.
- Temperature also rises progressively from the surface to the Earth's center.
Mantle and Its Components
- The mantle is the hot, solid layer situated between the Earth's crust and core.
- The lithosphere is the rigid uppermost layer made of the crust and the upper part of the mantle.
- The asthenosphere is a softer layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere, allowing it to float.
Core Composition
- The outer core is a layer of molten metal that surrounds the inner core.
- The inner core consists of a dense ball of solid metal, primarily iron and nickel.
Crust Characteristics
- The oceanic crust is mainly composed of basalt, a dark-colored rock.
- The continental crust is primarily made up of granite, a light-colored rock.
- The two types of crust that constitute Earth's outer skin are oceanic crust and continental crust.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structure of Earth's interior with this quiz. Explore concepts such as seismic waves, the main layers of the Earth, and the types of evidence geologists use. Perfect for geology students or enthusiasts!
