Geology Chapter 5 Quiz
45 Questions
2 Views

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

What is the primary composition of the oceanic crust?

  • Granite
  • Sedimentary rock
  • Metamorphic rock
  • Basalt (correct)

Which layer of the Earth contributes to the movement of lithospheric plates?

  • Outer core
  • Continental crust
  • Inner core
  • Middle mantle (asthenosphere) (correct)

What characteristic of the continental crust makes it less dense than the oceanic crust?

  • Presence of less heavy metals
  • Composition mainly of granite (correct)
  • Composition mainly of basalt
  • Thickness greater than oceanic crust

What is the thickness range of the oceanic crust?

<p>3-5 miles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the layer beneath the lithosphere called?

<p>Asthenosphere (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what state are the metals in the outer core?

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

How does the middle mantle facilitate the movement of the lithospheric plates?

<p>Convection currents (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes the inner core to remain solid despite extreme temperatures?

<p>High levels of pressure (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed when sediments are pressed together over time?

<p>Sedimentary rock (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process primarily contributes to the formation of metamorphic rocks?

<p>High temperatures and pressures (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between volcanic rocks and plutonic rocks?

<p>Volcanic rocks originate from magma that cools quickly. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary components that make up the structure of rocks?

<p>Mineral crystals (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of sedimentary rocks regarding their formation environment?

<p>They generally form at low temperatures and pressures. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of divergent boundaries?

<p>Tectonic plates pull away from each other. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is commonly associated with subduction zones?

<p>Deep-ocean trenches (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario does oceanic lithosphere typically get subducted?

<p>Ocean plate collides with less dense continental plate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of divergent plate boundaries?

<p>Rift valleys (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the sinking of an ocean floor into the mantle?

<p>Subduction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes transform boundaries?

<p>They're formed by plates sliding past each other. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the oceanic plate as it enters a subduction zone?

<p>It heats and dehydrates as it descends. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of plate boundary is mostly located along the mid-ocean ridge?

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

What geological feature forms when an oceanic plate sinks under another oceanic plate?

<p>Trench (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mountain range was formed due to the collision of two continental plates?

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

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other?

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

Which phenomenon is most commonly associated with the Pacific Ring of Fire?

<p>Volcanism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process of oceanic plates crashing into each other?

<p>Convergent collision (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate rate at which the Indo-Australian Plate is pushing against the Eurasian Plate?

<p>5 cm per year (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological consequence is likely to occur along the San Andreas Fault?

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

Which of the following features is specifically associated with transform plate boundaries?

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

What was Alfred Wegener's primary hypothesis regarding the continents?

<p>The continents were once connected as a single landmass. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following provides evidence for the theory of continental drift?

<p>Matching fossils found on different continents. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological evidence supports Wegener's theory about the continents?

<p>Matching rock types and ages in distant mountain ranges. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What climatic evidence did Wegener use to support his theory?

<p>The discovery of tropical plant remains in Antarctica. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of sea-floor spreading?

<p>Ocean floor is constantly being pushed away from mid-ocean ridges. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Wegener explain the presence of glacial deposits in now warm regions?

<p>Continents were once located near the poles but drifted to their current positions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason why many scientists rejected Wegener's continental drift theory at first?

<p>There was insufficient evidence to support his claims. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the Mesosaurus based on fossil evidence?

<p>It was limited in its habitat due to geographical barriers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes hotspot volcanoes to form?

<p>Hot mantle plumes breaching the surface (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are earthquakes distributed globally?

<p>In linear patterns associated with plate boundaries (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of tsunami waves as they enter a narrow harbor?

<p>They can reach greater heights (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is NOT part of the rock cycle?

<p>Formation of oceanic crust (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed from cooled magma and lava?

<p>Igneous rock (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which change can metamorphic rock undergo in the rock cycle?

<p>Change into sedimentary rock or igneous rock (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the occurrence of earthquakes at plate boundaries?

<p>Friction causing energy build-up (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a shallow focus earthquake displaces oceanic crust?

<p>Large volumes of water are displaced (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Earth's Crust

The Earth's outer layer, composed of granite (continental) and basalt (oceanic). The oceanic crust is denser, allowing continents to 'float' on it.

Lithosphere

A solid, rigid layer of the Earth consisting of the crust and the upper layer of the mantle.

Asthenosphere

The layer beneath the lithosphere, made of semi-rigid, flowing rock.

Mantle

The largest layer of the Earth, composed of hot, dense rock that flows due to convection currents.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Convection Currents

Circular movements within the mantle caused by heat and pressure differences. These drive the movement of tectonic plates.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Earth's Core

The Earth's innermost layer, composed of two parts: a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Outer Core

The liquid layer of the Earth's core, composed primarily of melted nickel and iron.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Inner Core

The solid inner core of the Earth, composed primarily of iron and nickel, under immense pressure.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Continental Drift Theory

The theory that continents have moved over time, once forming a single supercontinent called Pangaea.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Pangaea

A supercontinent that existed millions of years ago, and its continents eventually drifted apart.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sea-floor Spreading

The process where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, pushing older crust away from the ridge.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fossil Evidence for Continental Drift

Matching fossils found on different continents, suggesting they were once connected.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rock Evidence for Continental Drift

Similarities in rock types and mountain ranges across continents, supporting the idea of them being once connected.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Climate Evidence for Continental Drift

Evidence of ancient glaciers found in tropical regions, suggesting the continents have shifted.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Who proposed the continental drift theory?

Alfred Wegener, a German scientist who proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 1900s.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Why was Wegener's theory initially rejected?

Most scientists initially rejected Wegener's theory due to a lack of evidence explaining how continents could move.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Divergent Boundary

A boundary where two tectonic plates move apart, causing the Earth's crust to stretch and thin.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rift Valley

A deep valley formed when tectonic plates move apart at a divergent boundary, allowing magma to rise from the mantle.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Convergent Boundary

A boundary where two tectonic plates collide, causing one plate to slide beneath the other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Subduction

The process where one tectonic plate slides beneath another at a convergent boundary.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Deep-Ocean Trench

A deep trench in the ocean floor formed where one tectonic plate slides beneath another.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Volcanic Arc

A chain of volcanoes that form at a convergent boundary where a dense oceanic plate slides beneath a continental plate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transform Boundary

A boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What forms when oceanic plates collide?

Oceanic crust bends downward when two oceanic plates collide, forming a deep depression in the ocean floor.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the deepest part of the ocean?

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean, reaching 11 kilometers deep.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What happens when two oceanic plates collide?

When two oceanic plates collide, one slides under the other, often resulting in the formation of an island chain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What happens when two continental plates collide?

Continental plates collide, pushing against each other and creating mountain ranges.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is causing the Himalayas to grow?

The Indo-Australian Plate is pushing against the Eurasian Plate, creating the Himalayas and causing them to grow at a rate of 5 cm per year.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What happens at a transform boundary?

A boundary where two plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes, faults, rift valleys, and volcanic activity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the San Andreas Fault?

The San Andreas Fault is a transform boundary between the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate, causing frequent earthquakes in California.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?

A ring of active volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean, caused by subduction zones and plate movements.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are Hotspot Volcanoes?

Volcanoes formed by a plume of rising hot mantle material punching through the Earth's crust, independent of tectonic plate boundaries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Give an example of Hotspot Volcanoes.

The Hawaiian Islands are an example of a chain of volcanic islands formed by a hotspot.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How do Earthquakes form?

Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates stick together due to friction and then suddenly release built-up energy, causing them to break.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the global distribution of Earthquakes?

Earthquakes are not randomly distributed across the Earth's surface. They are concentrated along plate boundaries, forming linear patterns.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a Tsunami?

A Tsunami is a massive wave generated by a sudden displacement of ocean water, often caused by an undersea earthquake.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What causes a Tsunami?

Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes along the ocean floor, which displace large volumes of water.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How does the height of a Tsunami change?

Tsunamis can become more destructive as they enter shallow water or confined spaces like harbours, where their height increases.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the Rock Cycle?

The Rock Cycle is a continuous process where rocks transform between three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, through various geological processes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Igneous Rocks

Rocks that form from the cooling of lava, either quickly on the surface or slowly underground, resulting in different textures and compositions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks formed when sediments like sand, gravel, and dirt are compressed and cemented together over long periods, forming layers near the Earth's surface.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks formed when existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks) are transformed by intense heat and pressure within the Earth's crust.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Volcanic Rocks

Igneous rocks formed from lava that cools quickly on the surface, often having a fine-grained texture and appearing glassy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Plutonic Rocks

Igneous rocks that cool slowly underground from magma, resulting in larger crystals and a coarse-grained texture.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Earth's Layers

  • Earth is made of many distinct layers, with deeper layers composed of heavier materials, hotter, denser, and under greater pressure.
  • Natural forces interact with the crust, shaping landforms.

Earth's Crust

  • The crust is Earth's rigid, rocky outer layer composed of two main rock types: granite (continental crust) and basalt (oceanic crust).
  • Basalt is denser than granite, causing less dense continents to rest on denser oceanic plates.
  • The crust is 3-5 miles (8 kilometers) thick under the oceans and about 25 miles (32 kilometers) thick under the continents.

Lithospheric Plates

  • Earth's crust is broken into many pieces called plates.
  • These plates "float" on the soft, semi-rigid asthenosphere, the upper mantle.
  • The crust and upper mantle together make up the lithosphere.

Mantle

  • The mantle is Earth's largest layer, composed of silicon, oxygen, magnesium, iron, aluminum, and calcium.
  • The middle mantle, or asthenosphere, is made of very hot, dense rock that flows like asphalt under pressure; this movement is the reason for plate movement.
  • Convection currents within the mantle cause material to rise, then cool and sink, repeating this movement cycle.

Core

  • The core is like a ball of very hot metals, composed of two layers: outer and inner.
  • The outer core is liquid, primarily composed of melted nickel and iron.
  • The inner core is solid, also composed mostly of nickel and iron; high temperature and immense pressure prevent it from becoming liquid.

Continental Drift Theory

  • Alfred Wegener proposed the continental drift theory in the 1900s, suggesting that Earth's continents were once part of a single supercontinent (Pangaea) and have drifted to their present positions.
  • Evidence supporting the theory includes puzzle-like fit of continents, matching fossils across oceans, similar rock types and mountain ranges, and climate evidence from glacial deposits.
  • Wegener's theory was initially rejected for lack of a mechanism for continental movement.

Evidence of Continental Drift

  • Continents fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, particularly the coastlines of Africa and South America.
  • Fossils of similar plant and animal species are found on separated continents, suggesting these continents were once joined.
  • Matching rock types and mountain ranges across continents provide further evidence for their past connections.
  • Evidence of past glacial deposits on widely separated continents.

Sea-Floor Spreading

  • Harry Hess proposed sea-floor spreading in the 1960s, suggesting that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, pushing older crust away.
  • Molten material erupts from the mantle, creating new crust at mid-ocean ridges, pushing older crust to the sides.
  • This process results in ocean floors moving like a conveyor belt, carrying continents along with it.

Evidence of Sea-Floor Spreading

  • Molten rock eruptions at mid-ocean ridges create "pillows" that quickly cool and solidify.
  • Mid-ocean ridges are mountain ranges in the ocean floor.
  • Magnetic stripes on the seafloor document reversals in Earth's magnetic field over time.
  • Drilling samples show that the oldest rocks are located farthest from mid-ocean ridges, and youngest rocks are located nearest to mid-ocean ridges.

Plate Tectonic Theory

  • Plate tectonic theory combines continental drift and sea-floor spreading.
  • Earth's lithosphere is broken into large and smaller pieces called tectonic plates, constantly moving but slowly, often imperceptible to humans.
  • These plates slide over the asthenosphere (part of the upper mantle), driven by convection currents in the mantle.

Plate Boundaries

  • Three types of plate boundaries:
    • Divergent: Plates move apart (e.g., mid-ocean ridges)
    • Convergent: Plates collide (e.g., subduction zones)
    • Transform: Plates slide past each other (e.g., San Andreas Fault)

Mechanisms of Plate Boundaries

  • Divergent Boundaries: Plates move apart; rifting causes seafloor spreading; features include mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, and fissure volcanoes.
  • Convergent Boundaries: Plates collide; types include:
    • Ocean-Continent Collision: Oceanic plate slides under the continental plate (subduction) forming volcanoes and trenches.
    • Ocean-Ocean Collision: One oceanic plate slides under the other forming volcanoes and trenches.
    • Continent-Continent Collision: Two continental plates collide forming mountain ranges.
    • Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past each other; features include earthquakes and faults, like the San Andreas Fault.

Consequences of Plate Tectonics

  • Pacific Ring of Fire: Active volcanoes mostly along the margins of the Pacific plate, reflecting the numerous plate boundaries near the Pacific Ocean.
  • Hotspot Volcanoes: Volcanoes that occur in the middle of tectonic plates; these volcanoes are not related to plate boundaries; they are caused by mantle plumes.
  • Global Distribution of Earthquakes: Occur mostly along plate boundaries, often reflecting plate movement and friction.
  • Tsunami Formation: Earthquakes on the ocean floor can displace large volumes of water, generating powerful waves that can inundate coastlines.

The Rock Cycle

  • A continuous series of changes, involving weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, cementation, and heat and pressure, that transforms rocks from one type to another.
  • Three main rock types:
    • Igneous
    • Sedimentary
    • Metamorphic

Types of Rocks

  • Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooled magma or lava. Two types:
    • Volcanic (extrusive): Cooled rapidly on the Earth's surface.
    • Plutonic (intrusive): Cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface.
  • Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from sediments (sand, gravel, mud) compacted and cemented together.
  • Metamorphic Rocks: Formed when existing rocks are altered by heat and pressure within Earth's crust.

Rock Parts

  • Crystals: Formed from atoms in a definite geometric pattern.
  • Grains: Small pieces of rock or sediment that can be used to classify rock types.

Studying That Suits You

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

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Lecture 4-Earth Continental Drift Plate Tectonics PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the Earth's crust and its layers in this engaging quiz. Explore topics such as plate tectonics, rock types, and the composition of the oceanic and continental crusts. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of geological processes.

More Like This

Geology: Earth's Layers and Processes
8 questions

Geology: Earth's Layers and Processes

ClearMossAgate5129 avatar
ClearMossAgate5129
Earth Science: Layers, Plates, and Processes
10 questions

Earth Science: Layers, Plates, and Processes

ClearMossAgate5129 avatar
ClearMossAgate5129
Earth's Layers and Plate Tectonics Quiz
18 questions

Earth's Layers and Plate Tectonics Quiz

HappierRetinalite443 avatar
HappierRetinalite443
Earth's Layers and Plate Tectonics Quiz
8 questions

Earth's Layers and Plate Tectonics Quiz

SweepingIndium avatar
SweepingIndium
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser