Glossary: Restless Earth

Question 1

Collision boundary/ margin

Answer 1

Where two plates are moving together (destructive) and upward, creating mountains.

Question 2

Conservative boundary/ margin

Answer 2

Where two plates pass alongside each other.

Question 3

Constructive boundary/ margin

Answer 3

Where two plates move apart.

Question 4

Continental drift

Answer 4

The theory that describes how plates have moved over millions of years.

Question 5

Convention current

Answer 5

Movement of magma within the Earth’s mantle, formed by radioactive decay creating heat.

Question 6

Crust

Answer 6

The outermost layer of the Earth.

Question 7

Earthquake

Answer 7

A sudden and violent shaking of the Earth’s crust.

Question 8

Fold mountains

Answer 8

Mountains formed by plate collision, crumpling rock layers.

Question 9

Hot spot

Answer 9

Where magma plumes rise away from plate boundaries, breaking through the crust.

Question 10

Magma

Answer 10

Molten rock within the Earth’s mantle.

Question 11

Outer core

Answer 11

An inner section of the Earth - liquid comprising mostly of iron, at 10-12 g/cm cubed.

Question 12

(Tectonic) Plate

Answer 12

A huge section of the Earth’s crust.

Question 13

Plate boundary/ margin

Answer 13

Where any two plates meet.

Question 14

Plate tectonics

Answer 14

The theory of the distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, fold mountains and plate movement.

Question 15

Richter scale

Answer 15

Measures the strength/magnitude of an earthquake - 0 to 10.

Question 16

Subduction

Answer 16

The sinking movement of one plate beneath another at a destructive margin.

Question 17

Tectonic activity

Answer 17

Changes taking place in the structure of the Earth.

Question 18

Tsunami

Answer 18

A wave, often generated by an earthquake, which displaces water and causes devastation.

Question 19

Vent

Answer 19

The opening of a volcano.

Question 20

Volcano

Answer 20

Cone-shaped mountain created by lava from repeated eruptions.

Question 21

Basic lava

Answer 21

Thin ‘runny’ lava, low silica content, flows long distances.

Question 22

Caldera

Answer 22

The depression of a supervolcano, marking the collapsed magma chamber

Question 23

Composite volcano

Answer 23

Steep-sided cone with successive layers of ash and lava

Question 24

Epicentre

Answer 24

The point at the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake

Question 25

Fissure

Answer 25

Extended opening along a line of weakness, allow magma to escape to the surface

Question 26

Focus

Answer 26

The point where an earthquake originates

Question 27

Geyser

Answer 27

A geothermal feature in which water erupts into the air under pressure

Question 28

Geothermal

Answer 28

Water that is heated beneath the ground, which comes to the surface in a variety of ways

Question 29

Hazard

Answer 29

An event where lives and property are threatened, resulting in damage and/ or death

Question 30

Immediate responses

Answer 30

How people react as the disaster happens and in the immediate aftermath

Question 31

Lahar

Answer 31

Secondary effect of a volcano where mudflows form from the mixing of ash and melted ice/ water

Question 32

Lava

Answer 32

Name for magma once at the Earth’s surface

Question 33

Long term responses

Answer 33

Later reactions that occur in the weeks, months and years after the event

Question 34

Mantle

Answer 34

The dense, mostly solid layer between the outer core and the crust

Question 35

Mercalli scale

Answer 35

Measures the destructive power of an earthquake - I to XII

Question 36

Ocean trenches

Answer 36

Deep sections of ocean where an oceanic plate subducts below a continental plate

Question 37

Prediction

Answer 37

Attempts to forecast an even - where and when it will happen - based in current knowledge

Question 38

Protection

Answer 38

Constructing buildings so that they are safe to live in and will no collapse

Question 39

Preparation

Answer 39

Organising activities and drills so that people know what to do in an earthquake

Question 40

Shield volcano

Answer 40

Gentle sides, wide base made of basic lava

Question 41

Shock waves

Answer 41

Seismic waves generated by an earthquake that pass through the earth’s crust

Question 42

Supervolcano

Answer 42

A colossal volcano that erupts at least 1,000 km cubed of material