Geology Quiz: Continental Margins and Sediments

The outermost solid layer of Earth, composed of the crust and upper mantle.

The partially molten, flowing layer of the upper mantle, beneath the lithosphere.

The process of new oceanic crust forming at mid-ocean ridges as magma rises and cools.

The theory that Earth's outer layer is made up of large, moving plates that interact at their boundaries.

A boundary where two plates move towards each other, causing one to slide under the other.

A boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

A boundary where two plates move apart, creating new crust.

The continuous cycle of Earth's crust being created, destroyed, and recycled through plate tectonic activity.

A zone where an oceanic plate is sliding beneath a continental plate, causing earthquakes and volcanoes.

The study of underwater depths and the topography of the seafloor.

The transition zone between the ocean floor and a continent, characterized by distinct features and geological processes.

A passive margin forms when tectonic plates are moving apart, resulting in minimal seismic activity and gentle slopes. Examples include the eastern coast of North America.

An active margin forms at a convergent plate boundary where one plate pushes beneath another, creating high seismic activity and steep slopes. Examples include the western coast of South America.

The largest part of the ocean floor, characterized by flat abyssal plains, trenches, and seamounts.

The underwater mountain range where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity and seafloor spreading.

The process of breaking down rocks into smaller particles, creating sediment.

The study of ocean depths and underwater features.

Areas where tectonic plates are pulling apart, creating new ocean floor.

The depth at which calcium carbonate starts to dissolve. Below this depth, calcium carbonate doesn't accumulate due to dissolution.

The depth at which calcium carbonate completely dissolves, preventing accumulation of calcareous ooze.

Areas where tectonic plates are colliding, leading to subduction and mountain formation.

The outermost layer of Earth, composed of solid, thin and brittle rocks. It is broken into tectonic plates.

The layer beneath the crust, made of semi-solid, dense rock. It is much thicker than the crust.

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

The solid, extremely dense center of the Earth, mainly composed of iron and nickel. The intense pressure keeps it solid.

The rigid and strong outer layer of Earth, composed of the crust and upper mantle. It is broken into tectonic plates.

A semi-fluid layer in the upper mantle, where convection currents occur, driving tectonic plate movement.

The process of rocks constantly changing from one form to another, driven by geological forces.

The theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into large plates that move and interact with each other, causing geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.