Endogenic Processes and Earth Dynamics
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Endogenic Processes and Earth Dynamics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of endogenic processes?

  • Atmospheric pressure changes
  • The Earth's rotation
  • Solar radiation heating the Earth
  • Internal heat from radioactive decay of elements (correct)

    • What type of fault occurs when the upper block moves downward relative to the lower block?

  • Oblique Fault
  • Reverse Fault
  • Normal Fault (correct)
  • Strike-Slip Fault

    • Which agent is NOT primarily responsible for metamorphism?

  • Pressure
  • Temperature
  • Volcanic activity (correct)
  • Fluids

    • Which process involves the eruption of molten rock onto a planet's surface?

    <p>Volcanism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a type of stress that causes material to twist?

    <p>Shear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the geological term for a crack in the Earth's crust resulting from displacement?

    <p>Fault</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the mineralogical adjustments of solid rocks due to physical and chemical conditions?

    <p>Metamorphism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of stress is characterized by a decrease in the volume of a material?

    <p>Compression</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs when two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary?

    <p>The plates push upwards creating mountain ranges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the process at an oceanic-continental convergent boundary?

    <p>The oceanic plate is subducted beneath the continental plate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of an oceanic-oceanic convergent boundary?

    <p>One plate subducts beneath the other, forming a trench.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Seafloor spreading is primarily associated with which type of boundary?

    <p>Divergent boundaries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do subduction zones specifically indicate about the tectonic plates involved?

    <p>Oceanic material subducts underneath either oceanic or continental material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism responsible for the shifting of tectonic plates?

    <p>Movement of the molten layer beneath the crust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hypothesis suggests that the continents have been static and new material has gradually been added?

    <p>Continent Accretion Theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two supercontinents did Pangaea break into during the Jurassic period?

    <p>Laurasia and Gondwanaland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which evidence of continental drift relates to the observation of similar coastlines between continents?

    <p>Continental Jigsaw Puzzle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term refers to the denser elements that accumulated in ocean areas and later formed basins?

    <p>Continent Assimilation Hypothesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What name did Alfred Wegener give to the supercontinent that existed around 275 to 175 million years ago?

    <p>Pangaea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Greek term means 'All water' and is associated with the ocean surrounding Pangaea?

    <p>Panthalassa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phenomenon involves the gradual movement of continents over geological time?

    <p>Continental Drift</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the connection between the Appalachian Mountains and the Caledonian Mountains?

    <p>They share similar continuous rock types indicating a historical link.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major criticism did Wegener face regarding his theory of continental drift?

    <p>He could not explain the mechanism behind continental drift.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary significance of plate tectonics in the field of earth sciences?

    <p>It provides a basis for understanding geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes divergent plate boundaries?

    <p>They lead to the formation of new seafloor through mantle material upwelling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following minor plates is recognized as one of the largest?

    <p>Arabian Plate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of Wegener's explanations for fossil similarities across continents?

    <p>There were ancient land bridges allowing migration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of plate boundary is characterized by significant changes in velocity of motion between adjacent plates?

    <p>Transform boundary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which era did ice sheets extensively cover areas in the Southern Hemisphere?

    <p>Paleozoic era</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Endogenic Processes

    • Endogenic processes are geological events that occur inside the Earth.
    • They are driven by the internal heat of the Earth, caused by the radioactive decay of elements deep within its core.
    • This heat rises and drives the tectonic forces that shape the Earth's surface.

    Magmatism

    • Magma is extremely hot liquid and semi-liquid rock found beneath the Earth's surface.
    • Magmatism is the process of magma generation and its transformation into igneous rock.
    • It plays a vital role in mountain formation.

    Volcanism (Plutonism)

    • Volcanism refers to the eruption of molten rock (magma) onto the Earth's surface.
    • Magma that reaches the surface is called lava.
    • Volcanoes are named after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

    Metamorphism

    • Metamorphism is the process where existing rocks change in composition and texture due to changes in temperature, pressure, and fluids.
    • This process alters the rock's mineral content and structure.

    Deformation

    • Deformation refers to changes in the shape or size of rocks due to stress.

    Types of Stress

    • Compression squeezes rocks, decreasing their volume.
    • Tension stretches rocks, pulling them apart.
    • Shear causes rocks to twist or slide past each other.

    Faulting

    • Faulting occurs when rocks fracture and shift due to stress.
    • Normal Faults occur when the hanging wall (block above the fault) moves down relative to the footwall (block below).
    • Reverse Faults occur when the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall.
    • Strike-Slip Faults occur when blocks slide horizontally past each other.

    Plate Motion

    • Plate motion is the movement of large, rigid slabs of the Earth's crust (tectonic plates) on the partially molten upper mantle.
    • Plate motion influences mountain formation, continental drift, and ocean formation.

    Early Theories and Hypotheses

    • Continent Accretion Theory suggested that continents grew steadily by adding new material.
    • Continent Assimilation Hypothesis proposed that denser elements sank to create ocean basins.
    • Expanding Earth Hypothesis suggested that continents split due to Earth's expansion.

    Modern Theory

    • Continental Drift Theory explains the gradual movement of continents over time.
    • Alfred Wegener proposed the theory in 1912, suggesting that all continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea.

    Evidence for Continental Drift

    • Continental Jigsaw Puzzle: Matching coastlines of continents suggest they were once connected.
    • Fossil Correlation: Similar fossils found on different continents support the idea of earlier land connections.
    • Rock and Mountain Correlation: Continuous rock types and mountain ranges across continents support their past connection.
    • Paleoclimatic Data: Ancient climate data like glacial deposits indicate past continental positions.

    Rejecting the Continental Drift Theory

    • Initial lack of a mechanism to explain plate motion led to skepticism.
    • Wegener's focus on land bridges for migration was not well-accepted.
    • His status as a meteorologist made it harder for geologists to take him seriously.
    • His initial estimates of plate speed were inaccurate.

    Plates of the World

    • There are seven major plates: Pacific, African, North American, Indo-Australian, South American, Eurasian, and Antarctic.
    • Additionally, there are numerous smaller plates like the Juan de Fuca, Arabian, Caribbean, Cocos, Nazca, Philippine, and Scotia plates.

    Plate Tectonics

    • The theory of plate tectonics explains the mechanisms behind the formation of major landforms by the movements of tectonic plates.
    • The theory revolutionized Earth sciences by explaining mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

    Plate Boundaries

    • Plate boundaries are zones where tectonic plates interact.
    • They are classified into three types:

    Types of Plate Boundaries

    • Divergent Boundaries occur where plates move apart (also called constructive margins), leading to the creation of new seafloor.
    • Convergent Boundaries occur where plates collide (also called destructive margins), resulting in subduction and mountain formation.
    • Transform Boundaries occur where plates slide horizontally past each other.

    Seafloor Spreading

    • Seafloor spreading is the process of creating new oceanic crust at divergent plate boundaries.
    • It occurs due to mantle convection, the slow circulation of the Earth's mantle.

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    Endogenic Processes PDF

    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of endogenic processes, including magmatism, volcanism, and metamorphism. Understand how these geological events shape the Earth's surface through tectonic forces and transformations of rock. Test your knowledge on the dynamic processes that drive our planet's geology.

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