North American Geology and Earth's Structure

The outer core is layer 3 of the Earth.

The inner core is layer 4 of the Earth.

Oceanic crust is 5-10 km thick and mainly basaltic.

Shapes of the land, dangers, resources location, and effects on weather.

Geology helps decide where to live safely by studying natural dangers, water access, ground strength, and resources.

Geography affects where we find resources through rock types, weather, and geological actions, which decide where we get minerals, fuels, and water.

Landforms are natural features of the Earth's surface, like mountains and valleys.

Natural hazards are events such as earthquakes and floods that can cause damage or loss of life.

Continents have thick, light granitic crust with mountains and valleys. Oceans have thin, dense basaltic crust with trenches, plains, and ridges.

The outermost solid layer of the Earth, composed of either oceanic or continental crust.

The layer beneath the crust and above the core, primarily solid rock but with areas of magma.

The outermost layer of Earth.

The second layer of Earth.

Layer 'l' in the upper mantle that is plastic-like and allows plate movement.

Explains elevation differences by showing Earth's crust floats on the mantle; thicker/denser crust sinks deeper, thinner/lighter rises higher.

Solar energy (from the Sun) and gravitational energy (from the Moon and Sun).

Drives weather, ocean currents, and the water cycle. It also affects climate, erosion, and plant growth.

Interacts with Earth's magnetic field, creates auroras, and can affect satellites and communication systems.

Creates craters on Earth that can trigger extinctions or environmental changes.

The Earth's outermost solid layer, including the crust and uppermost mantle.

30-70 km thick, composed of less dense granitic rock.

Rigid outer layer: crust and uppermost mantle.

The lithosphere, comprising crust and uppermost mantle.

Tides and influencing plate tectonics via Earth's internal heat.

Heat from radioactive decay and residual formation heat.

From Earth's formation and from the decay of radioactive elements.

Mantle convection, volcanic activity, and plate tectonics.

Basaltic composition and thin (5-10km) structure

Heat from the decay of radioactive elements inside the Earth.

Energy from the Earth's formation and gravitational forces with the Moon and Sun

Energy stored or released during water's phase changes (melting, freezing, evaporation).

Internal: Radiogenic, gravitational, latent heat. External: Solar radiation.

From the Earth's formation and gravitational attraction between Earth and external bodies

Energy from deformation and friction in Earth's crust.

Absorption, reflection, and reradiation of solar energy, influencing Earth's climate and weather.

Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, and hydrothermal.

Rocks formed from the cooling and solidification of magma.

Rocks formed through the breakdown, transport, deposition, and lithification of pre-existing rock materials.

Rocks that have been changed by extreme heat and pressure.

Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.

The process by which sediments compact under pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock.