Earth’s Structure, Materials, Systems, and Cycles Flashcards
Discontinuity between upper and lower crust
Conrad discontinuity
Discontinuity between lower crust and upper mantle
Mohorovicic discontinuity
Discontinuity between upper and lower mantle
repetti discontinuity
Discontinuity between lower mantle and outer core
gutenberg discontinuity
discontinuity between outer and inner core
lehman discontinuity
Oceanic crust is enriched with what kind of oxides.
magnesium (MgO), iron (FeO), calcium (CaO)
Average and maximum depth of oceanic crust
average 5-7km; maximum 18km
Slices of ocean crust thrust onto continental margins
ophiolites
Composition of continental crust
K2O, Na2O, SiO2
Oldest well documented continental crusts
4.03 Ga NW territories of Canada
Age of some continental crusts results from ______.
relative bouyancy
This zone, which ranges in thickness from 2700 to 2900 kilometers, is located near the bottom of the mantle. Deep mantle plumes emerge here, and subducting slabs come to an end here.
D’ Layer
Transition zone between SIAL and SIMA
Conrad discontinuity
The average silica content of oceanic crusts
50%
The average silica content of continental crust
60%
Density of oceanic crust
2.9 - 3.1 g/cm3
Density of continental crust
2.6-2.9 g/cm3
The continental crust have an average thickness of _______.
30 km
The oceanic crust have an age up to _________ and covers ______ of Earth’s history.
180 Ma; 3.5%
The continental crust have an age up to ________ and covers _________ of Earth’s history.
4000 Ma; 85-90%
Chemical Formula of Ringwoodite, Olivine, Beta Spinel and Garnet
Mg2SiO4
What are the major minerals of mesosphere?
Olivine, Beta Spinel/Waldeysite, Ringwoodite/Garnet, Perovskite/ Periclase
Chemical Formula of Perovskite
(Mg, Fe, Al) SiO3
Chemical Formula of Periclase
MgO
_____ model sinking slabs of cold oceanic lithosphere are the downward limbs of convection cells, while rising magma plumes carry hot material from the core-mantle boundary toward the surface.
Whole mantle model
It is a mantle convection model which suggests that cold oceanic lithosphere sinks to great depths and stirs the entire mantle the ultimate burial ground for subducting slabs is the core mantle boundary. This downward flow is balanced by buoyantly rising mantle plumes that transport hot material toward
Layer cake model
A relatively rigid layer, which is strong enough to rupture in response to stress.
Lithosphere
It occurs within the upper mantle at depths of 100-250km below the surface.
Low velocity zone
It marks a contact between the strong lithosphere and weak asthenosphere.
Low velocity zone
_________ a layer that is more plastic and flows slowly, rather than rupturing, when subjected to stress.
Asthenosphere