enviro 4

Question 1

Geology

Answer 1

Study of Earth’s physical features, processes, and history.

Question 2

Convection

Answer 2

1. Magma moves in convection cells.
2. Hot, less dense material rises; cooler, denser material falls.
3. Creates spreading zones and subduction zones.

Question 3

Theory of Plate Tectonics:

Answer 3

Earth has 15 tectonic plates moving slowly over the surface.

Composed of the lithosphere (crust + upper mantle).

Most geological activity happens at plate boundaries.

Question 4

Divergent Boundaries

Answer 4

Plates move away, creating new land.

Question 5

Mid-ocean ridges

Answer 5

Underwater mountain ranges.

Question 6

Rift valleys

Answer 6

Deep valleys where plates separate.

Question 7

Convergent Boundaries

Answer 7

Plates move towards each other.

Question 8

Subduction zones:

Answer 8

Dense plate pushed under lighter plate, forming trenches and volcanoes

Question 9

compression

Answer 9

Continental plates collide, forming mountains.

Question 10

Transform Faults

Answer 10

Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Question 11

Hot Spots

Answer 11

Areas where molten mantle material reaches the lithosphere.

Question 12

Volcanoes

Answer 12

Openings in Earth’s crust releasing magma, gas, and ash.

Question 13

Locations of Volcanoes

Answer 13

Hot spots, divergent, and convergent boundaries.

Question 14

Environmental Impacts of Volcanoes

Answer 14

Pros: Creates new land, fertilizes soil, provides materials.
Cons: Threatens lives/property, global cooling, CO₂ and SOx emissions, secondary disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis).

Question 15

Earthquakes

Answer 15

Sudden plate movements releasing seismic waves.

Question 16

Location of Earthquakes

Answer 16

All plate boundaries and fault lines.

Question 17

Magnitude of Earthquakes:

Answer 17

Measured on the Richter scale.

Question 18

Impacts of Earthquakes

Answer 18

Building collapse, toxic dust, disease spread, disruption of systems (water, food, energy).

Question 19

Tsunamis

Answer 19

Large waves from ocean floor movements.

Question 20

Causes of Tsunamis

Answer 20

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides.

Question 21

Impacts of tsunamis

Answer 21

Coastal flooding, infrastructure loss, water contamination, erosion, economic damage.

Question 22

Weathering

Answer 22

Rocks breaking down due to air, water, chemicals, or organisms.

Question 23

Erosion

Answer 23

Movement of rock fragments, later deposited elsewhere (deposition).

Question 24

types of weathering

Answer 24

physical and chemical

Question 25

Soil Structure

Answer 25

A mix of living and non-living material essential for life.

Question 26

Formation Factors

Answer 26

Parent material, climate, organisms, topography, time.

Question 27

Soil Horizons (Layers):

Answer 27

O Horizon: Organic matter (fresh/decomposed).
A Horizon: Topsoil, rich in nutrients, dark color.
E Horizon: Leaching layer (minerals move down).
B Horizon: Subsoil with clays and humus.
C Horizon: Weathered parent material.
R Horizon: Bedrock.

Question 28

The Atmosphere Composition

Answer 28

78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% other gases (CO₂, Argon, Methane).

Question 29

Layers of the atmosphere

Answer 29

Troposphere: Weather and clouds.
Stratosphere: Ozone layer.
Mesosphere: Coldest layer, burns meteorites.
Thermosphere: Aurora borealis, satellites.
Exosphere: Outermost layer.

Question 30

Seasons

Answer 30

Caused by the sun’s angle.
Direct sunlight = summer (more heat).
Indirect sunlight = winter (less heat).

Question 31

Albedo

Answer 31

High albedo = reflects more sunlight (cooler).
Low albedo = absorbs more sunlight (warmer).

Question 32

Air Circulation Cells:

Answer 32

Hadley, Ferrel, Polar Cells drive wind and spread pollutants.

Question 33

Rainshadow Effect:

Answer 33

Windward side = lush vegetation.
Leeward side = desert-like conditions.

Question 34

Oceanic Currents

Answer 34

River-like ocean flows driven by density, wind, gravity.

Question 35

effects of oceanic currents

Answer 35

Transport heat, nutrients, and pollutants.
Create upwellings (cold water rising to surface, rich in nutrients).

Question 36

El nino

Answer 36

Pacific warming event.
Impacts: Warmer SW Americas, drought in Australia, weaker Atlantic hurricanes, fishing decline.

Question 37

la nina

Answer 37

Pacific cooling event.
Impacts: Stronger Atlantic hurricanes, rain in Australia, drought in Americas.