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Questions and Answers
What is the temperature range reported in the troposphere?
What is the temperature range reported in the troposphere?
Which layer of the atmosphere is located above the troposphere?
Which layer of the atmosphere is located above the troposphere?
What is one of the main components found in the troposphere?
What is one of the main components found in the troposphere?
What is the maximum extent of the troposphere above the Earth's surface?
What is the maximum extent of the troposphere above the Earth's surface?
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Which atmosphere layer may contain dust particles along with water vapor?
Which atmosphere layer may contain dust particles along with water vapor?
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What geological evidence supports the Continental Drift Theory concerning ancient climates?
What geological evidence supports the Continental Drift Theory concerning ancient climates?
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During which geological period did the tropical swamp forests developed that later formed coal?
During which geological period did the tropical swamp forests developed that later formed coal?
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What fundamental concept explains the movement of continents over time?
What fundamental concept explains the movement of continents over time?
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How do ancient fossils support the Theory of Continental Drift?
How do ancient fossils support the Theory of Continental Drift?
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Which geological features are created by the movement of tectonic plates?
Which geological features are created by the movement of tectonic plates?
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What type of ancient environment do coal-forming swamps require?
What type of ancient environment do coal-forming swamps require?
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What was one of the implications of the theory of plate tectonics confirmed in the 1960s?
What was one of the implications of the theory of plate tectonics confirmed in the 1960s?
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What type of evidence can indicate past glacial activity in regions that are now tropical or temperate?
What type of evidence can indicate past glacial activity in regions that are now tropical or temperate?
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What is decompression melting?
What is decompression melting?
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Which process describes the escape of magma from the Earth?
Which process describes the escape of magma from the Earth?
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What is a magmatic dike?
What is a magmatic dike?
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What characterizes a xenolith?
What characterizes a xenolith?
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Which of the following methods can lead to magma formation?
Which of the following methods can lead to magma formation?
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What role does the reduction in pressure play in decompression melting?
What role does the reduction in pressure play in decompression melting?
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What are the two major ways magma can escape the Earth's mantle?
What are the two major ways magma can escape the Earth's mantle?
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Which of the following best describes flux melting?
Which of the following best describes flux melting?
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What is the temperature in the exosphere?
What is the temperature in the exosphere?
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What primarily composes the lithosphere?
What primarily composes the lithosphere?
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Which feature is most commonly associated with the lithosphere?
Which feature is most commonly associated with the lithosphere?
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What is one characteristic of the crust?
What is one characteristic of the crust?
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How far does the exosphere extend above the Earth's surface?
How far does the exosphere extend above the Earth's surface?
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Which types of crust are included in the Earth's crust?
Which types of crust are included in the Earth's crust?
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What gases are found in the exosphere?
What gases are found in the exosphere?
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What describes the interaction of huge slabs of lithosphere?
What describes the interaction of huge slabs of lithosphere?
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What characteristic distinguishes oceanic crust from continental crust?
What characteristic distinguishes oceanic crust from continental crust?
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Which geological processes are known to originate in the mantle?
Which geological processes are known to originate in the mantle?
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What is the temperature range of the mantle near its boundary with the core?
What is the temperature range of the mantle near its boundary with the core?
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Which layer of the Earth is primarily responsible for the formation of mountains?
Which layer of the Earth is primarily responsible for the formation of mountains?
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What element of density differentiates oceanic plates from continental plates?
What element of density differentiates oceanic plates from continental plates?
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Which layer of the mantle is directly beneath the crust?
Which layer of the mantle is directly beneath the crust?
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What temperature is observed near the boundary of the mantle with the crust?
What temperature is observed near the boundary of the mantle with the crust?
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What term describes the process of mountain formation originating in the mantle?
What term describes the process of mountain formation originating in the mantle?
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Study Notes
Decompression Melting
- Involves the upward movement of Earth's solid mantle.
- Occurs when there is a reduction in overlying pressure, allowing the mantle to melt and form magma.
Magma Escape Routes
- Magma escapes the upper mantle and crust through intrusions or extrusions.
- Intrusions (plutons) include features like dikes and xenoliths.
- Extrusions refer to lava and volcanic rock that reach the surface.
Magmatic Dikes
- Large slabs of magmatic material that intrude into other rock bodies.
- Notable examples: Baranof Cross-Island Trail in Alaska and Maghtesh Ramon in Israel.
Xenolith
- A piece of rock that is trapped within another type of rock, often found in igneous formations.
Evidence of Continental Drift Theory
- Ancient fossils and similar species found in rocks of the same age across separated continents suggest historical connections.
- Glacial grooves and rock deposits indicate past icy climates in regions now located near the equator.
- Coral reefs and coal deposits from warm, tropical conditions found in much colder current locations.
Theory of Plate Tectonics
- Established in the 1960s, it explains the movement of Earth's tectonic plates.
- Plates are responsible for the formation of volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges through their interactions.
Layers of the Atmosphere
Troposphere
- Extends 5-10 miles (8-15 km) above the Earth's surface.
- Temperature ranges from 62°F (17°C) to -60°F (-51°C).
- Contains atmospheric water vapor and dust.
Exosphere
- Extends to 620 miles (1000 km) above the surface.
- Extremely high temperatures reaching 1800°F (980°C).
- Composed mainly of helium and hydrogen.
Layers of the Earth
Lithosphere
- The coolest and most rigid layer, composed of all solid materials.
- Features significant tectonic activity due to interaction of tectonic plates.
Crust
- Composed of oceanic and continental plates.
- Oceanic crust is denser compared to continental crust.
Mantle
- Temperature ranges from 1000°C (1832°F) near the crust to 3700°C (6692°F) near the core.
- Includes upper mantle, asthenosphere, and lower mantle.
- Geological activities such as volcanism, seismic events, and mountain formation occur here.
Tectonic Plates
- Major tectonic plates include the Pacific Plate, Eurasian Plate, North American Plate, South American Plate, African Plate, Antarctic Plate, and Indo-Australian Plate.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the different layers of the atmosphere, including the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. This quiz will help you understand the characteristics and significance of each layer in our atmosphere.
