Definitions

Question 1

Seismic waves

Answer 1

A seismic wave is a type of wave that is generated by an earthquake or other seismic activity. It is a form of energy that travels through the Earth’s crust and measured by a seismograph.

Question 2

Continental drift

Answer 2

The continental drift theory was made by a German meteorologist named Alfred Wegener. He proposed that the continents were breaking apart and rejoining in a process that he called continental drift.

Question 3

Pangaea

Answer 3

Pangaea or Pangea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, forming 300 million years ago.

Question 4

Supercontinent

Answer 4

A landmass made up of most or all of Earth’s land

Question 5

Panthalassa

Answer 5

The Superocean that surrounded the supercontinent Pangaea.

Question 6

Plate tectonics (aka. Tectonic plates)

Answer 6

Gigantic pieces of the Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle. They are made up of oceanic crust and continental crust.

Question 7

Mantle

Answer 7

The thick layer of hot, solid rock between the Earth’s crust and the molten iron core. The mantle is the thickest layer of the Earth and is the second most outer layer.

Question 8

Convection current

Answer 8

A convection current is a flowing fluid that moves due to a temperature or density difference within the material.

Question 9

Continental crust

Answer 9

The continental crust is the outermost layer of the earth’s lithosphere. It forms the landmasses and the continents on Earth. It is rich in silicates and aluminum minerals.

Question 10

Oceanic crust

Answer 10

The oceanic crust is the outermost layer of Earth’s lithosphere that is found under the oceans and formed on mid-ocean ridges. It is rich in magnesium and silicate minerals.

Question 11

Ocean ridge

Answer 11

The ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by the tectonic plates that are constantly altered and moved by the heat from the Earth’s core.

Question 12

Subduction

Answer 12

Subduction is a geological process in which one tectonic plate moves beneath another plate and is forced to sink into the mantle. This process often leads to the formation of volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain ranges.

Question 13

Laurasia

Answer 13

Laurasia was a supercontinent during the Mesozoic Era, comprising most of the landmasses that now make up the Northern Hemisphere. It existed alongside another supercontinent, Gondwana, which comprised the Southern Hemisphere. Over time, Laurasia split apart into the continents of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Question 14

Gondwanaland

Answer 14

A supercontinent believed to have formed 800 to 650 million years ago

Question 15

Anticline

Answer 15

When compressional forces result in a bend upwards

Question 16

Syncline

Answer 16

When compressional forces result in a bend downwards

Question 17

Fault

Answer 17

A fault is a fracture or break in the Earth’s crust where the rock on either side has moved relative to the other. This movement can be caused by tectonic plate movement or other geological forces.

Question 18

Rift valley

Answer 18

A rift valley is a geological formation that occurs when the Earth’s crust is pulled apart by tectonic forces, creating a long, narrow depression or valley.

Question 19

Horst

Answer 19

A horst is a geological feature that is formed by the movement of tectonic plates. It is a raised block of land that is bounded by fault lines on either side. It is commonly found in areas of active tectonic activity, such as along the edges of continents or mountain ranges.

Question 20

Slip fault

Answer 20

A slip fault, also known as a dip-slip fault, is a type of fault where the rock on one side of the fault plane moves vertically in relation to the other side, typically due to tension in the Earth’s crust.

Question 21

Epicentre

Answer 21

The point on the Earth’s surface above the focus

Question 22

Focus

Answer 22

The point inside the crust where the pressure is released.

Question 23

Seismograph

Answer 23

An instrument that measures and records details of earthquakes, such as force and duration. It plots this data on a seismogram.

Question 24

Richter scale

Answer 24

The strength, or magnitude of an earthquake is measured using the Richter Scale ranging from 0-10. Every

Question 25

Tremor

Answer 25

A tremor is a small earthquake that is often caused by the movement of tectonic plates. The shaking can usually be felt by people and can sometimes cause damage to buildings and other structures.

Question 26

Volcano

Answer 26

A volcano is a geological formation that occurs when magma, ash, and gas escape from the Earth’s crust through a vent or fissure. Volcanoes can be active, dormant, or extinct, depending on their history of eruptions. When a volcano erupts, it can release lava, ash, and other materials that can cause destruction and impact the environment.

Question 27

Magma

Answer 27

Molten rock under the Earth’s surface

Question 28

Lava

Answer 28

Molten rock on the Earth’s surface

Question 29

Volcanic bomb

Answer 29

A volcanic bomb is a large rock fragment that is ejected during a volcanic explosion. These rocks can range in size from a few centimeters to several meters in diameter. They are typically made up of solidified magma or lava that has been blasted out of the volcano at high speeds.

Question 30

Fold

Answer 30

As the plates push together, the continental crust is squashed together and forced upwards

Question 31

Magnitude

Answer 31

In geology, magnitude refers to the intensity or strength of an earthquake. It is a measure of the seismic energy released during an earthquake, often expressed as a numerical value on the Richter scale.

Question 32

Intraplate Earthquakes

Answer 32

Types of earthquakes the occur inside of a tectonic plate

Question 32

Supercontinent

Answer 32

The assembly of most or all of Earth’s continental blocks or cratons to form a single large landmass.

Question 32

Supercontinent

Answer 32

The assembly of most or all of Earth’s continental blocks or cratons to form a single large landmass.

Question 32

Lithosphere

Answer 32

The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of Earth that includes the crust and the upper mantle.

Question 33

Supercontinent

Answer 33

The assembly of most or all of Earth’s continental blocks or cratons to form a single large landmass.

Question 34

The four pieces of evidence for continental drift

Answer 34

1. The apparent fit of continents
2. Fossil Correlation
3. Rock and Mountain correlation
4. Paleoclimate Data

Question 35

Footwall

Answer 35

A foot wall in geology refers to the block of rock that lies beneath a mineral deposit. It is the opposite of the hanging wall, which is the rock block that lies above the deposit.

Question 36

Seafloor spreading

Answer 36

Seafloor spreading is a natural process that occurs at the bottom of the ocean, where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity. As the molten rock cools and solidifies, it creates new crust that pushes the older crust away from the mid-ocean ridge. This process is responsible for the continuous movement of the tectonic plates and the expansion of the ocean floor.

Question 37

Syncline

Answer 37

A syncline is a geological feature where rock layers curve downwards in a U-shape, resembling a trough or basin. It is the opposite of an anticline, which is a geological feature where rock layers curve upwards in an arch shape. Synclines are often formed during the process of mountain building, when compressive forces cause layers of rock to fold and deform.

Question 38

Anticline

Answer 38

An anticline is a geological formation where rock layers are folded into an arch-like shape with the oldest rocks located at the center and younger rocks on the outer edges. It is formed by compressional forces that cause the rock layers to buckle and bend upwards.

Question 39

Hanging wall

Answer 39

A hanging wall is a block of rock that lies above an inclined fault plane or a mineral vein. It is called a hanging wall because it appears to be hanging above the footwall, which is the block of rock that lies beneath the fault plane or vein.