Grade 9 Geography Test Study Guide PDF

Study Guide This study guide covers key topics in geography related to earthquakes, tsunamis, plate tectonics, and volcanoes. Students should carefully review each section, understand key terms, and be prepared to answer multiple choice, true/false, and a diagram question. Key Topics to Review 1....

Study Guide This study guide covers key topics in geography related to earthquakes, tsunamis, plate tectonics, and volcanoes. Students should carefully review each section, understand key terms, and be prepared to answer multiple choice, true/false, and a diagram question. Key Topics to Review 1. Earthquakes What Causes Earthquakes: Understand that earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates slipping past each other. This movement releases energy in the form of seismic waves. Epicenter and Focus: ○ Epicenter: The point on Earth’s surface directly above where the earthquake starts. ○ Focus: The location within the Earth where the earthquake originates. Types of Seismic Waves: ○ P Waves (Primary Waves): Fastest waves, move by compressing and stretching rocks. ○ S Waves (Secondary Waves): Slower than P waves, move rocks side to side. ○ L Waves (Surface Waves): Most destructive, move in circular or up-and-down motions along the surface. ○ Understand the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami (How, What, Where, When). ○ Understand the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami (How, What, Where, When). 2. Tsunamis Definition: A tsunami is a large wave caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or other movements in the Earth’s crust. Historical Tsunamis: ○ Review the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, which resulted from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and caused widespread devastation. ○ Understand the historical impact of the Krakatau eruption in 1883, which triggered a massive tsunami. 3. Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift Continental Drift Theory: Proposed by Alfred Wegener, this theory suggests that continents were once connected in a supercontinent called Pangaea. Evidence for Continental Drift:  ○ Similar fossils and mountain ranges found on continents now separated. ○ Glacial features that match across different continents. 4. Structure of the Earth Layers of the Earth: ○ Crust: The outermost layer; includes continental and oceanic crust. ○ Mantle: Below the crust, composed mostly of hot, semi-liquid rock called magma. ○ Core: Divided into the outer core (liquid) and inner core (solid), the core is the hottest part of Earth. Types of Crust: ○ Continental Crust: Makes up the land. ○ Oceanic Crust: Found under the oceans, denser than continental crust. Diagram: Study the structure of the Earth, focusing on the location and properties of each layer. Be prepared to label each layer in a diagram. 5. Volcanoes Where Volcanoes Form: Primarily at tectonic plate boundaries, particularly around the Pacific Ocean in the Ring of Fire. Types of Volcanoes by Activity: ○ Extinct: Unlikely to erupt again. ○ Dormant: Not currently active but may erupt in the future. ○ Active: Showing signs of or currently erupting. Volcano Formation: ○ Understand how magma forms at tectonic boundaries and is forced out, often resulting in volcanic eruptions. 6. Plate Boundaries Types of Plate Boundaries: ○ Divergent Boundaries: Plates move apart, creating new crust. ○ Convergent Boundaries: Plates collide, often resulting in subduction, mountain formation, or volcanic activity. ○ Transform Fault Boundaries: Plates slide past one another without creating or destroying crust. Sea Floor Spreading: ○ Study how hot magma rises at mid-ocean ridges, causing new crust to form and pushing continents apart over time. Tips for Test Preparation  1. Focus on Definitions and Key Terms: Make sure you understand terms like epicenter, focus, tsunami, continental drift, and Ring of Fire. 2. Diagram of Earth’s Structure: Be able to label and explain the crust, mantle, and core layers, as this will be part of the test. 3. Understand Examples and Historical Events: Be familiar with the Southeast Asian tsunami of 2004 and the Krakatau eruption as examples of tsunami events. 4. Know the Differences Between Wave Types: Remember the characteristics of P, S, and L waves, especially how they differ in speed and destructiveness. Study Questions for Practice Multiple Choice: Practice questions on causes of earthquakes, types of seismic waves, and definitions of terms like Pangaea and magma. True/False: Review statements related to tectonic plate activity, volcano types, and the properties of Earth’s layers. Short Answer: Prepare to explain key concepts like the difference between divergent and convergent boundaries or describe evidence supporting continental drift. Diagram: Review any and all diagrams present in the slideshows from class and practice labelling them. 🙂 Good luck studying! Remember to review the slides thoroughly, practice labeling diagrams, and familiarize yourself with each key topic