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Questions and Answers
Which layer beneath the Earth's crust is composed mainly of silicate rocks?
Which layer beneath the Earth's crust is composed mainly of silicate rocks?
The average temperature of the Earth's inner core is about 4,500°C.
The average temperature of the Earth's inner core is about 4,500°C.
False
What is the primary composition of the Earth's outer core?
What is the primary composition of the Earth's outer core?
Liquid molten lava mostly made of iron and nickel
The upper part of the mantle and the crust together form the __________.
The upper part of the mantle and the crust together form the __________.
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What is the approximate depth of the mantle?
What is the approximate depth of the mantle?
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The lithosphere is about 100 km thick and consists of tectonic plates.
The lithosphere is about 100 km thick and consists of tectonic plates.
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What does the asthenosphere allow the lithosphere to do?
What does the asthenosphere allow the lithosphere to do?
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Match the following layers of the Earth to their descriptions:
Match the following layers of the Earth to their descriptions:
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What drives the movement of tectonic plates?
What drives the movement of tectonic plates?
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Which of the following rocks is classified as an extrusive igneous rock?
Which of the following rocks is classified as an extrusive igneous rock?
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The Himalayas are formed by oceanic-continental convergent boundaries.
The Himalayas are formed by oceanic-continental convergent boundaries.
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Basalt is an example of an intrusive igneous rock.
Basalt is an example of an intrusive igneous rock.
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What are the three types of rock formations?
What are the three types of rock formations?
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What process is responsible for the layering of sediments in sedimentary rocks?
What process is responsible for the layering of sediments in sedimentary rocks?
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The movement of molten rock in the lower mantle is known as ______.
The movement of molten rock in the lower mantle is known as ______.
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The process of squeezing water out from layers of sediment to form sedimentary rocks is called ______.
The process of squeezing water out from layers of sediment to form sedimentary rocks is called ______.
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Match the following tectonic boundary types with their characteristics:
Match the following tectonic boundary types with their characteristics:
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What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?
What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?
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What type of metamorphic rock is formed from limestone?
What type of metamorphic rock is formed from limestone?
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The size of crystals in igneous rock is determined by how quickly the magma cools.
The size of crystals in igneous rock is determined by how quickly the magma cools.
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Match the following types of rocks with their definitions:
Match the following types of rocks with their definitions:
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Earthquakes frequently occur along ______ boundaries.
Earthquakes frequently occur along ______ boundaries.
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Fossils are typically found in igneous rocks.
Fossils are typically found in igneous rocks.
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What causes metamorphic rocks to form?
What causes metamorphic rocks to form?
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What is the role of trees in biological weathering?
What is the role of trees in biological weathering?
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Animals like Piddock shells contribute to weathering by secreting acid.
Animals like Piddock shells contribute to weathering by secreting acid.
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Name one type of organism that contributes to biological weathering.
Name one type of organism that contributes to biological weathering.
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The process by which rocks are gradually recycled over millions of years is called the __________.
The process by which rocks are gradually recycled over millions of years is called the __________.
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Match the following organisms with their method of contributing to biological weathering:
Match the following organisms with their method of contributing to biological weathering:
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Which type of metamorphic rock has a layered appearance?
Which type of metamorphic rock has a layered appearance?
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Metamorphic rocks can only be formed from sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic rocks can only be formed from sedimentary rocks.
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Name the main types of weathering.
Name the main types of weathering.
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Physical weathering happens especially in places where there is little soil and few plants growing, such as in ________ regions.
Physical weathering happens especially in places where there is little soil and few plants growing, such as in ________ regions.
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Match the following types of weathering with their descriptions:
Match the following types of weathering with their descriptions:
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Which process involves water freezing in a crack and expanding?
Which process involves water freezing in a crack and expanding?
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Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in cold, dry climates.
Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in cold, dry climates.
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What are the two conditions that enhance the speed of chemical weathering?
What are the two conditions that enhance the speed of chemical weathering?
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Study Notes
Earth's Layers
- Mantle: Extends to 2,900 km, thick solid rock, hot enough to flow, generates internal heat
- Outer Core: 5,100 km deep, liquid molten iron and nickel, 4,500°C
- Inner Core: 6,400 km from surface, solid iron, 6,000°C, rotates at different speed to Earth
Lithosphere
- Solid outer shell of a planet, about 100 km thick, made from crust + upper mantle
- Broken into tectonic plates: move constantly, 1-10 cm per year
Asthenosphere
- Lower part of the mantle, ductile (like silly putty), 300-500°C
- Flows, carrying lithosphere (continents)
Tectonic Plate Movement
- Earth's outer layer: large, moving plates
- Evidence: continental drift, younger crustal layers, similar fossils, matching continent shapes, earthquakes, volcanoes, seafloor spreading, mid-ocean ridges
- Convection currents: molten rock movement in lower mantle, drives plate movement
Three Tectonic Boundary Types
- Convergent: Plates collide (e.g. Himalayas, Andes Mountains, Mariana Trench)
- Continental-Continental: mountain ranges
- Oceanic-Continental: subduction zones, volcanic arcs
- Oceanic-Oceanic: volcanic island arcs, deep sea trenches
- Divergent: Plates move apart (e.g. Mid-Ocean ridges, East African Rift Valley)
- Transform: Plates slide past each other (e.g. San Andreas Fault), frequent earthquakes
Igneous Rocks
- Formed when liquid rock (magma) cools and hardens
- Intrusive: cools slowly underground (e.g., granite)
- Extrusive: cools quickly on the surface (e.g., basalt)
- Crystal size depends on cooling speed
Sedimentary Rocks
- Formed from sediments (pieces of rock) that are transported, deposited, compacted, and cemented
- Clastic: composed of rock fragments (e.g., sandstone)
- Chemical: formed from minerals precipitating from solution (e.g., limestone)
- Organic: formed from remains of organisms (e.g., coal)
Metamorphic Rocks
- Formed from existing rocks by heat or pressure
- Foliated: layered appearance (e.g., slate, schist, gneiss)
- Non-foliated: no layered appearance (e.g., marble, quartzite)
Rock Cycle
- Continual change through weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, compaction, cementation.
- A continuous process that describes the transitions between rock types
- Rocks can change from one to another
- Examples provided of how rocks can be changed through weathering and other geological processes
Weathering
- Breakdown of rocks by rainwater, extremes of temperature and biological activity
- Physical weathering: Repeated heating and cooling, freezing and thawing, expansion and contraction
- Chemical weathering: Rainwater reacting with minerals in rocks, forming new minerals/salts. Occurs faster in warm, damp climates
- Biological weathering: Root growth, animal activity, and biological acids
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Description
Explore the fascinating structure of Earth's layers, including the mantle, outer core, and inner core. Understand the dynamics of tectonic plates, their movement, and the different types of boundaries including convergent scenarios. This quiz will test your knowledge on geology and plate tectonics.
