Module test 2

Question 1

List the 8 planets in the solar system

Answer 1

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus

Question 2

Solar system age and name?

Answer 2

Our solar system is approx 4.6 billion years old and named Sol meaning solar

Question 3

Describe the structure of the Earth and its layers

Answer 3

1. The inner core: a ball of solid iron;
2. The outer core: a layer of very hot molten liquid rock;
3. The mantle: another layer of hot molten rock;
4. The crust: a thin layer of solid rock

Question 4

What are tectonic plates?

Answer 4

The earth’s crust is made up of a number of huge slabs of solid rock which are floating on top of the Magma on the mantle below. These huge slabs of rock are called Tectonic Plates and are slowly moving about

Question 5

What are plate boundaries?

Answer 5

The areas where 2 plates meet are called plate boundaries and it is here we get earthquakes and volcanoes.

Question 6

What is Pangaea?

Answer 6

Millions of years ago all the continents were joined together to make one super continent called Pangaea.

Question 7

What is Continental Drift?

Answer 7

All the continents that were joined together to make one super continent slowly floated apart into their present positions and continue to move today. This is the theory of continental drift.

Question 8

Where are earthquakes found?

Answer 8

Earthquakes are found where 2 crustal plates are colliding or sliding past each other eg the San Andreas fault line

Question 9

Where are volcanoes found?

Answer 9

Volcanoes are found where 2 plates are colliding or moving apart. The most famous area of volcanoes is the Ring of Fire, a circle of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean.

Question 10

What causes Volcanoes?

Answer 10

There are 2 key causes of volcanic eruptions:
Constructive plate boundaries
And
Destructive Plate Boundaries

Question 11

What is the Ring of Fire?

Answer 11

A circle of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean

Question 12

What is Constructive plate boundaries?

Answer 12

This is a plate boundary where 2 plates are moving apart

Question 13

What is destructive plate boundaries?

Answer 13

This is a plate boundary where 2 plates are pushing together (colliding)

Question 14

Describe a dormant volcano

Answer 14

A dormant volcano has not erupted for a long time but could still erupt at any time

Question 15

Describe an active volcano

Answer 15

Active volcanoes erupt regularly from year to year; mount Etna

Question 16

Describe an extinct volcano

Answer 16

Extinct volcanoes have not erupted for millions of years and will never erupt again; Edinburgh castle

Question 17

Why are dormant volcanoes more dangerous than active ones?

Answer 17

Dormant volcanoes are the most dangerous because:
1. They are difficult to predict in terms of timing and strength
2. They erupt with a huge explosion due to the pressure which has built up over time
3. Many people live near them as they have not erupted for a long time

Question 18

What happens when a dormant volcano erupts?

Answer 18

1. There is a huge explosion of ash, poisonous gas and steam
2. A huge cloud of this material called a pyroxlastic cloud engulfs the surrounding area
3. Lava Bombs shoot up and fall back to earth,
4. Lava flows out of the volcano and down the hillside,
5. Often melted snow and ice cause mud flow and flooding

Question 19

Describe the features of a volcano

Answer 19

1. Magma chamber - a reservoir of lava under the volcano
2. Main vent- the vertical tube which the lava shoots out from
3. Crater - the hole at the top of the volcano
4. The volcano itself is made up of layers dried on lava and hardened ash from previous eruptions

Question 20

What causes earthquakes?

Answer 20

Earthquakes happen when 2 crustal plates are colliding or sliding past each other. They can get stuck together for hundreds of years and then they suddenly jerk apart under great pressure.

Question 21

What are the features of an earthquake?

Answer 21

Seismic waves, focus
Eli centre

Question 22

Describe seismic waves

Answer 22

Seismic waves : the shock waves/ vibrations sent out from the earthquake

Question 23

Describe the focus

Answer 23

Focus: the point underground where the 2 plates jerk apart. Seismic waves are sent out from this part

Question 24

Describe the Epi Centre

Answer 24

Epi Centre: The point on the surface directly above the focus. The effects of the earthquake are most severe at this point.

Question 25

What are the effects of an earthquake?

Answer 25

1. Buildings collapse
2. Roads, railways destroyed
3. Services (schools, hospitals) destroyed
4. People killed or injured
5. Fires and gas explosions

Question 26

Why are earthquakes more deadly in poor countries?

Answer 26

1. Their buildings are weak and poorly built
2. They have no money to train rescue teams/ provide equipment
3. They have a shortage of medical supplies, food and water
4. They have no money to rebuild housing, transport and services