Geology Definitions Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What is a rift valley?

  • A linear-shaped lowland created by geologic rift or fault (correct)
  • A type of mountain range
  • A highland area
  • An oceanic trench

    • What is the Earth's inner core primarily made of?

    Iron-nickel alloy and some light elements

    What lies between the Earth's core and crust?

    Mantle

    What is the outermost solid shell of a rocky planet called?

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

    What defines the lithosphere?

    <p>Rigid outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the asthenosphere?

    <p>A zone of Earth's mantle beneath the lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Convergent means two things going in different directions.

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

    Divergent means going towards each other.

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

    What does it mean to transform?

    <p>To undergo a dramatic change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is subduction?

    <p>Sideways and downward movement of a tectonic plate into the mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a tectonic plate?

    <p>A massive slab of solid rock made of both continental and oceanic lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was continental drift?

    <p>A theory explaining how continents shift position on Earth's surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Pangaea?

    <p>A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Rift Valley

    • Linear lowland between highlands or mountain ranges.
    • Created by geological rifting or fault action at divergent plate boundaries.
    • Formed through crustal extension leading to the drop of a center block, resulting in steep walls.
    • Evolves into wider valleys and basins filled with sediment over time.
    • Example: East African Rift.

    Inner Core

    • Earth's innermost part, primarily a solid ball.
    • Approximately 1,220 km (760 miles) in radius.
    • Composed mainly of an iron-nickel alloy with some lighter elements.

    Mantle

    • Layer between the core and crust in terrestrial planets.
    • Formed through planetary differentiation by density.
    • Composed of silicate rock in Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury, as well as some of Jupiter's moons.
    • Other celestial bodies like Titan and Triton may have a mantle of ice or solid volatiles.

    Crust

    • Outermost solid shell of rocky bodies, distinct from the mantle.
    • Formed primarily through igneous processes.
    • Rich in incompatible elements compared to underlying mantles.

    Lithosphere

    • Rigid outer shell of a terrestrial planet, including crust and elastic upper mantle.
    • Defined by mechanical properties rather than chemical composition.

    Asthenosphere

    • Layer of Earth’s mantle beneath the lithosphere.
    • Much hotter and more fluid, extending from 100 km (60 miles) to about 700 km (450 miles) below the surface.

    Convergent

    • Describes two entities moving towards one another.

    Divergent

    • Describes entities moving in different directions.

    Transform

    • Refers to undergoing a dramatic change or transformation.

    Subduction

    • Horizontal and downward movement of an edge of a tectonic plate into the mantle beneath another plate.

    Tectonic Plate

    • Large, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock, including both continental and oceanic lithosphere.
    • Sizes vary significantly; large examples include the Pacific and Antarctic Plates.

    Continental Drift

    • Theory postulated by Alfred Wegener in 1912 explaining the movement of continents.
    • Accounts for similarities in fossils and rock formations across different continents.

    Pangea

    • A supercontinent that existed 300 million years ago during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.
    • Formed from earlier continental units and began breaking apart about 175 million years ago.

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    Description

    Explore key geological terms with this flashcard quiz. Each card provides a definition of important concepts, starting with 'rift valley'. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their understanding of geology.

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