HMH Science Dimensions: Plate Tectonics Lesson 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the average thickness of Earth's continental crust?

70 km

60 km

35 km (correct)

7 km

Where is the crust of Earth's continents thickest?

Andes Mountains

Ocean

Kola Superdeep Borehole

Himalaya Mountains (correct)

Why haven't scientists collected samples from Earth’s core?

There are no suitable drilling technologies for reaching the core.

The core is made of materials that cannot be sampled.

Extreme pressure and temperature make it impossible to reach the core. (correct)

Lack of interest in exploring the Earth's core.

What is the name of the deepest borehole on Earth located in northwestern Russia?

Kola Superdeep Borehole Signup and view all the answers

Which compositional layer of Earth is the outermost?

Crust Signup and view all the answers

What causes seismic waves?

Earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the mantle being denser than the crust?

Compression by the weight of the rock above Signup and view all the answers

What evidence do scientists use to infer the properties of the asthenosphere?

Seismic waves refracting strongly Signup and view all the answers

What does the graph showing the velocity of P- and S-waves with depth in Earth’s mantle reveal?

Gradual changes show the flow of solid rock in the mantle Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the occurrence of the aurora borealis near the poles?

Magnetic alignment to Earth’s magnetic poles Signup and view all the answers

What drives the flow of the solid rock of the mantle according to the text?

Differences in density caused by differences in temperature Signup and view all the answers

What are scientists able to infer about the asthenosphere based on seismic data?

It is very bendable like putty or clay Signup and view all the answers

Why do many stony meteorites appear to be similar to rock on Earth’s crust?

They are unchanged since they formed 4.56 billion years ago Signup and view all the answers

What do seismic waves reveal about the internal layers of Earth?

Two internal layers: an outer core that is liquid and an inner core that is solid Signup and view all the answers

What drives convection in the mantle according to the text?

Differences in density caused by differences in temperature Signup and view all the answers

What do gradual changes in seismic waves with depth indicate?

Indicate an increase in density with depth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth's Crust and Composition

Average thickness of Earth's continental crust is approximately 30-50 kilometers.
The continental crust is thickest in mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.

Earth's Core and Boreholes

Scientists have not collected samples from Earth’s core due to extreme temperatures and pressures.
The deepest borehole on Earth, the Kola Superdeep Borehole, is located in northwestern Russia.

Earth's Layers

The outermost compositional layer of Earth is the crust.
The mantle is denser than the crust due to increased pressure and temperature as depth increases.

Seismic Activity and Evidence

Seismic waves are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's interior, often due to tectonic movements.
Properties of the asthenosphere are inferred from seismic data, which provides information about wave speeds and behavior as they travel through different layers.

Wave Velocity and Insights

A graph showing the velocity of P- and S-waves with depth in Earth’s mantle reveals changes in material properties and states (solid/liquid).
Gradual changes in seismic wave velocity with depth indicate transitions between layers with different densities and states of matter.

Additional Geophysical Phenomena

The aurora borealis occurs near the poles due to interactions between solar wind particles and Earth’s magnetic field.
Flow of solid rock in the mantle is driven by heat from the Earth's inner layers, creating convection currents.

Meteorites and Internal Layers

Many stony meteorites resemble rocks found in Earth's crust due to similar mineral compositions.
Seismic waves help reveal the internal structure of Earth, showing variations in layers based on wave behavior and velocity changes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Earth's dynamic interior, crust thickness, and evidence of structure and composition in this quiz based on Unit 6 Lesson 1 of HMH Science Dimensions Earth and Space Science.