Gwography Crhistmas Test Flashcards
What is an earthquake?
A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
True or False: Earthquakes can only occur in areas near tectonic plate boundaries.
False
What is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above where an earthquake originates called?
Epicenter
Fill in the blank: The scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is called the _____ scale.
Richter
What are the primary waves generated by an earthquake called?
Shock waves
Which type of volcano is characterized by gentle slopes and non-explosive eruptions?
Shield volcano
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of volcanic eruption? A) Effusive B) Explosive C) Erosive D) Phreatomagmatic
C) Erosive
What is magma called once it reaches the Earth’s surface?
Lava
True or False: All rocks are classified into three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
True
What type of rock is formed from cooled and solidified magma?
Igneous rock
Fill in the blank: Sedimentary rocks are primarily formed through _____ and _____ processes.
compaction; cementation
What is the term for the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces?
Weathering
Multiple Choice: What type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of mountains? A) Divergent B) Convergent C) Transform
B) Convergent
What is the name of the scale used to measure the intensity of an earthquake’s shaking?
Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
True or False: Tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes.
True
What is a volcanic island arc?
A chain of volcanic islands formed at a convergent plate boundary.
Fill in the blank: The layer of the Earth that is semi-fluid and allows tectonic plates to move is called the _____.
asthenosphere
What is the main gas emitted during a volcanic eruption?
Water vapor
Multiple Choice: Which of the following rocks is formed from the accumulation of sediments? A) Granite B) Basalt C) Sandstone D) Gneiss
C) Sandstone
What is a fault in geological terms?
A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock.
True or False: The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area with a high number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
True
Fill in the blank: The process of molten rock becoming solid is known as _____ solidification.
magma
What type of metamorphism occurs due to high pressure and temperature without the presence of magma?
Regional metamorphism
Multiple Choice: Which type of volcano is typically steep-sided and has explosive eruptions? A) Shield B) Cinder Cone C) Composite
C) Composite
What is the term for the area where two tectonic plates slide past each other?
Transform boundary
True or False: The Earth’s crust is the thinnest layer of the Earth.
True
What is the main difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?
Intrusive rocks cool slowly beneath the surface; extrusive rocks cool quickly on the surface.
Fill in the blank: The process of rocks changing from one type to another is known as the _____ cycle.
rock
What is the term for a large volcanic eruption that can eject massive amounts of ash and pyroclastic flow?
Plinian eruption
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a sedimentary rock? A) Basalt B) Limestone C) Marble D) Pumice
B) Limestone
What is the relationship between plate tectonics and earthquakes?
Earthquakes occur due to the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.
