Geology Flashcards
Geology
What shape is the earth?
An oblate spheroid
Geology
The earth’s oblate spheroid shape shows a flattening at what point(s)?
The poles
Geology
What is the earth’s axial tilt?
23.5°
Geology
From superfical to deep, what are the 3 (5) basic layers of the earth?
Crust,
mantle (outer and inner),
core (outer and inner)
Geology
What are the technical terms for (1) the crust and most superficial mantle and (2) the upper mantle below that?
(1) Lithosphere
(2) Asthenosphere
Geology
The earth mantle is made up of primarily what?
Rock (magnesium-iron silicate)
Geology
The outer earth core is made up of primarily what element(s)?
Iron and nickel
(both liquid)
Geology
The inner earth core is made up of primarily what element(s)?
Iron and nickel
(both solid)
Geology
What layer of the earth is most responsible for the Earth’s magnetic field?
The outer core
(specifically, the movement of liquid iron)
Geology
How many major tectonic plates are there?
7
Geology
Very roughly speaking, where are the major tectonic plate lines in regard to the world oceans?
Lining the Pacific Ocean outline;
bisecting the other oceans
Geology
The perimeter of the ____________ is known as the ‘Ring of Fire’ due to its frequent, intense seismic activity.
The perimeter of the Pacific Ocean is known as the ‘Ring of Fire’ due to its frequent, intense seismic activity.
Geology
What force causes movement of tectonic plates?
Mantle convection
Geology
What is earth’s equatorial diameter?
~12750 Km
(7926 miles)
Geology
How far out does the atmosphere extend from earth’s surface?
(Note: the relevant, densest portion of the atmosphere)
100 km
(62 miles)
Geology
What is the innermost atmospheric layer called?
And the layer superficial to that?
And the layer superficial to that?
And the layer superficial to that?
And the layer superficial to that?
Troposphere;
stratosphere;
mesosphere;
thermosphere;
exosphere
Geology
What is the simplified rock cycle?
Magma to igneous rock to sedimentary rock to metamorphic rock and back to magma
