The Lithosphere and Plate Boundaries

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Questions and Answers

What is the result of divergent plates at mid-oceanic ridges?

Creation of ocean trenches

Release of magma onto Earth’s surface (correct)

Formation of mountain ranges on land

Subduction of crust beneath another plate

What happens when ocean crust collides with continental crust?

Ocean crust sinks below continental crust (correct)

Both crusts remain unchanged

Both crusts rise above sea level

They merge to form new crust

What characterizes a subduction zone?

Accumulation of sediment above ground

Sinking of one tectonic plate beneath another (correct)

Creation of new ocean basin

Formation of mid-oceanic ridges

What is a common consequence of convergent plate boundaries?

Formation of earthquakes and volcanoes Signup and view all the answers

What happens to sediment dragged into the molten magma at a subduction zone?

It alters the magma's composition Signup and view all the answers

What forms when tectonic plates are in a divergent boundary?

Ridges Signup and view all the answers

Silica is also known as what substance in nature?

Quartz Signup and view all the answers

How long are the mid-oceanic ridges in total?

60,000 km Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the word 'volcano'?

It is derived from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred at Mount Saint Helens in 1980?

It erupted with devastating effects. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Yakama Nation legend, what role did Mount Saint Helens play?

A protector of the bridge of the gods. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the Earth contains molten rock?

The Outer Core. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main layers of the Earth?

Mantle, Crust, Core. Signup and view all the answers

Which volcano is considered potentially active according to the content?

Mount Hood. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Yakama Nation refer to Mount Saint Helens?

Si Yett. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Inner Core of the Earth?

It is made of solid rock. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary substance that escapes from volcanoes onto Earth's surface?

Lava Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the Earth primarily contains solid rock?

Mantle Signup and view all the answers

What is magma primarily composed of?

Liquified rocks and gases Signup and view all the answers

What temperature range characterizes magma?

600°C – 1300°C Signup and view all the answers

What type of volcanic material is found after the eruption process?

Lava Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between magma and lava?

Magma is found beneath the surface, while lava is on the surface Signup and view all the answers

What are the main components of magma?

Liquid and solid minerals, and gases Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the Earth is situated above the mantle?

Crust Signup and view all the answers

What type of plate boundary is characterized by tectonic plates pulling away from each other?

Divergent Plate Boundary Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the OCEANIC CRUST?

It is thinner but denser than the continental crust. Signup and view all the answers

When tectonic plates collide, which type of plate boundary is formed?

Convergent Plate Boundary Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ocean crust is correct?

Ocean crust is denser and thinner than continental crust. Signup and view all the answers

What layers of the Earth make up the LITHOSPHERE?

The upper mantle and the crust. Signup and view all the answers

What happens at a divergent plate boundary under ocean crust?

Magma rises and volcanic activity occurs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the four spheres of the Earth?

ANTHROSPHERE Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about mid-ocean ridges?

They can be considered a single, continuous volcanic structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the ASTHENOSPHERE?

It is a partially molten layer of the mantle. Signup and view all the answers

How many major tectonic plates make up the lithosphere?

7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between tectonic plate density and boundary type during a collision?

The denser plate slides under the less dense plate. Signup and view all the answers

What process explains the movement of tectonic plates?

Asthenosphere dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What is a common geological feature formed at divergent plate boundaries?

Mid-ocean ridges Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to the Earth's surface?

Troposphere Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to ocean crust being denser than continental crust?

Ocean crust has a higher mass-to-volume ratio. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the BIOSPHERE?

All living organisms on Earth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Lithosphere: Earth's Outer Layers

The Lithosphere is made up of the Earth's crust and upper mantle.
The Lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that move on the partially molten asthenosphere.
The movement of tectonic plates leads to the formation of various geological features.
Tectonic plates can pull away, collide, or slide alongside one another.

Divergent Plate Boundaries

Divergent plate boundaries are where tectonic plates are pulling away from each other.
Divergent plate boundaries are often found under the ocean floor.
The movement of divergent plates causes volcanic activity and earthquakes.
The Mid-Oceanic Ridge is a prominent example of a divergent plate boundary.
The Mid-Oceanic Ridge is a continuous underwater mountain range where magma rises to the surface, creating new oceanic crust.
The Mid-Oceanic Ridge spans 60,000 km and is connected to other geological features.

Convergent Plate Boundaries

Convergent plate boundaries are where tectonic plates collide.
When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate subducts (sinks) beneath the continental plate.
The area where subduction occurs is called a subduction zone.
Convergent plate boundaries are often associated with volcanoes and earthquakes.

Subduction Zones

Subduction zones are areas where one tectonic plate slides beneath another.
Subduction zones are often associated with deep trenches and volcanic arcs.
Subduction zones lead to the formation of thick magma rich in silica.

Volcanoes Defined

A volcano is an opening on the Earth's surface where molten rock (magma) can erupt.
Volcanoes are formed by the movement of magma from the Earth's mantle and crust.
Magma is a mixture of molten rock, crystals, dissolved gases, and solid rocks.
Magma becomes lava when it erupts onto the Earth's surface.

Earth's Layers

Earth has three main layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core.
The core is composed of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core.
The mantle is mostly solid rock, but the lower layers of the crust and mantle contain molten rock (magma).
The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth.

The Four Spheres of the Earth

The four spheres of the Earth are the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
The lithosphere is the solid, rocky outer layer of the Earth.
The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
The hydrosphere is the part of the Earth that contains all of the water.
The biosphere is the part of the Earth that contains all living things.

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Description

Explore the Earth's lithosphere, its structure, and the dynamics of tectonic plates through this quiz. Learn about divergent and convergent plate boundaries, their movements, and the geological features they create. Test your knowledge on key concepts like the Mid-Oceanic Ridge and geological activity.