• Shuffle
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Alphabetize
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Front First
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Both Sides
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Read
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
Reading...
Front

Card Range To Study

through

image

Play button

image

Play button

image

Progress

1/32

Click to flip

Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;

Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;

H to show hint;

A reads text to speech;

32 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Why is plate tectonics considered a unifying theory?
Explains all things governed by the movement of the Earth.
How can large volcanic eruptions affect parts of the entire world?
Volcanic dust blasted into the Eearth's atmosphere can block sunlight and cause some cooling over large areas fo the Earth.
How is Earth unique among the planets of our solar system?
Earth is unique for having water in its liquid form at the surface, in an amount conducive to life evolving.
Two broad areas of the field of Geology:
1. physical geology - concerned with the materials and processes which compose and operate on the surface of the Earth

2. historical geology - concerned with the origin and evolution of Earth's continents, oceans, atmosphere, and life.
One specific examploe of how geology effects daily life in terms of materials and energy needs:
The exploration and drilling for oil.
Example: Geologists and environmental quality
Geologists regulate surface mining and research and monitor ground water quality.
What are planetesimals?
Ojects formed from the condensation of gaseous, liquid, and solid particles, and that eventually become true planetary bodies
By how long ago had the Earth formed?
4.6 billion years ago
On what bases are the concentric layers of Earth primarily distinguished?
composition

density
Sequent of solid layer from surface to interior:
Crust
Upper Mantle
Inner Core
Why is Earth considered to be dynamic as opposed to static?
Because it has continually changed during its 4.6 billion years of existence.
What are the types of crust?
Thick - continental crust

Thin - oceanic crust
How do Earth's inner and outer cores differ?
Inner: solid and dense

Outer: larger and apparently liquid
The lithosphere is comprised of which layer or layers?
The crust and upper mantle make up the lithosphere which forms the solid outer layers of the Earth.
Definition of "theory"
A coherent explanation for one or several related natural phenomena that is supported by a large body of evidence.
Three types of tectonic plate boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Convergent Boundaries
Transform Plate Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
New crust is created as two or more plates pull aways from each other ...oceans are born and grow wider which plates diverge (mid-oceanic ridge)
Convergent Boundaries
Crust is destroyed and recycled as one plate dives under another.
Convergent Boundaries:
Subduction Zone
Areas where plates dive under another ...mountains or volcanoes are formed (Andes Mountains)
Three Tyes of Convergent Boundaries
Continental - Continental
Contiinental - Oceanic
Oceanic - Oceanic
Transform Plate Boundaries
Where two plates slide past each other horizontally (San Andreas Fault)
How does Plate Tectonics Theory differ from Hypothesis of Continental Drift?
HPD = continents move but does not explain why
PTT = explains why; tells you that earthquakes and volcanoes result
With which type of plate boundaries is earthquake activity associated?
All three:
Convergent, Divergent, and Transform Plate
Describe the role of plate tectonics in geological processes:
Explaiins all events that have occurred on Earth - mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.
San Andreas Fault is which type of boundary?
Transform Plate Boundary
Difference between a rock and a mineral?
Rock - an aggregate of minerals

Mineral - naturally occuring, inorganic, crystalline solids that have definite physical and chemical properties
Three major groups of rocks
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Igneous Rocks
Result from the crystallization of magma, or the consolidation of volcanic ejecta
Sedimentary Rocks
Originate from the consolidation of rock fragments, precipitation of mineral matter from solution, or compaction of pllant or animal remains
Metamorphic Rocks
Result from the alteration of other rocks, usually beneath the surface - heat, pressure, or chemical activity of fluids
Along which tectonic plate boundaries are igneous rock formed?
All three:
convergent, divergent, and transform plate
Why are igneous rocks classified intrusive or extrusive if both originate from melted material below the surface?
Intrusive - magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface (ex: granite)

Extrusive - magma was cooled at the Earth's surface