Ch 1: The Earth Flashcards
What are the earths layers called?
Crust, mantle and core
What is the crust?
It’s the outer layer of earth. It’s very thin and it contains the earths plates
What is the mantle?
It is rock in a molten or semi-molten state
What is the core?
It is the centre of the earth and it’s made out of iron and nickel
Name the 7 major plates
Eurasian, Indian, African, American, Nazca, Pacific and Australian
What do the plates do?
Carry continents and oceans
What is continental drift?
Process where plates are constantly moving
How are fold mountains created? + eg.
When plates collide eg. the Rockies
How are volcanoes created? + eg.
When plates separate the magma rises and hardens eg. Mt. Etna
How do earthquakes occur?
When plates slide past each other
What is the focus?
The place within the crust where the earthquake occurs
What is the epicentre?
The point on the surface above the focus
What is a seismograph?
An instrument that measures shock waves
What does the Richter Scale do?
It records the size of the shockwaves
What is a tsunami?
Large sea wave which occurs due to earthquakes under the sea
Name 3 effects of earthquakes
Loss of life, Collapse and Damage
Name 3 Earthquake preventions
Construct earthquake proof buildings, construct on stable ground and know safety rules
What is the Mid Atlantic Ridge?
A chain of mountains
What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
Here the most earthquakes and volcanoes occur
Types of volcanoes
Active, Dormant and Extinct
Name 5 advantages of volcanoes
Fertile soils, stones and minerals, building materials, hot springs and tourism
Name 2 Disadvantages of volcanoes
Loss of life and damage to property
