Physical geo

Question 1

What is ‘Physical Geography’?

Answer 1

A study of the physical makeup of the Earth - the processes and patterns in the natural environment

Question 2

What is Geology?

Answer 2

The study of the earth

Question 3

What are the three layers of the Earth?

Answer 3

• The Crust
• The Mantle
• The Core

Question 4

What is the composition of the Earth’s crust?

Answer 4

The crust is made of two types: continental and oceanic

Question 5

What characterizes continental crust?

Answer 5

Thick, mostly formed of various types of rock, less dense, more buoyant

Question 6

What characterizes oceanic crust?

Answer 6

Found about 5-10 KM below sea level, formed mostly of magnesium and silicate

Question 7

What is the mantle?

Answer 7

The largest layer of the Earth, making up about 85% of total volume, ranges from 1,000°C to 3,700°C

Question 8

What is the core of the Earth made of?

Answer 8

Dense, metallic materials, primarily iron and nickel

Question 9

What is Continental Drift?

Answer 9

The movement of the Earth’s continents relative to each other

Question 10

What was Pangea?

Answer 10

A supercontinent that existed millions of years ago

Question 11

What is the ‘Jigsaw fit’ theory?

Answer 11

The idea that continents fit together like pieces of a puzzle

Question 12

What is geological fit?

Answer 12

Matching ancient rock formations across continents to show they were once connected

Question 13

What are glacial deposits?

Answer 13

Rocks and stones left behind by moving glaciers

Question 14

What is fossil evidence in the context of Continental Drift?

Answer 14

Fossils of the same species found on separate continents supporting the theory

Question 15

What are tectonic plates?

Answer 15

Massive, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock that make up Earth’s outer shell

Question 16

Why are tectonic plates significant?

Answer 16

They are associated with earthquakes and volcanoes

Question 17

What occurs during divergent plate movements?

Answer 17

Two plates move apart, forming new crust and mountain ridges

Question 18

What is subduction?

Answer 18

The process where denser oceanic plates slide beneath continental plates

Question 19

What is a transform plate boundary?

Answer 19

When two plates slide past each other horizontally

Question 20

What are landforms?

Answer 20

Physical structures that make up the appearance of Earth’s crust

Question 21

What are the three main landform types in Canada?

Answer 21

• Shield
• Highlands
• Lowlands

Question 22

What is the rock cycle?

Answer 22

A series of processes that create and transform types of rocks in Earth’s crust

Question 23

What are the three types of rocks?

Answer 23

• Igneous
• Sedimentary
• Metamorphic

Question 24

What is glaciation?

Answer 24

The formation, movement, and recession of glaciers

Question 25

Why are glaciers important?

Answer 25

* Contain about 2% of Earth's water * Reflect sun's rays * Provide meltwater for crops * Generate hydroelectric power

Question 26

What is the main cause of rising sea levels?

Answer 26

Melting glaciers

Question 27

How do glaciers affect freshwater availability?

Answer 27

About 70% of all freshwater on Earth is trapped in glaciers

Question 28

True or False: The mantle has been directly explored.

Answer 28

False

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The inner core is mostly _____ due to intense heat and pressure.

Answer 29

solid

Question 30

Fill in the blank: The crust of the oceanic plate gets melted by the _____ in subduction.

Answer 30

magma

Question 31

What is the temperature range required to melt a rock?

Answer 31

Between 600°C and 1,300°C

Question 32

What would happen if all glaciers on Earth were to melt?

Answer 32

Sea levels would rise about 70 metres, flooding every coastal city on the planet ## Footnote This would have catastrophic consequences for human populations and infrastructure.

Question 33

What percentage of the US population lives on coasts?

Answer 33

About 30% of the US population, nearly 100 million people ## Footnote Coastal populations are particularly vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels.

Question 34

What natural disasters are being exacerbated by melting glaciers?

Answer 34

Increased and more severe flooding and other natural disasters ## Footnote This is a significant concern for disaster preparedness and response.

Question 35

What is one consequence of algae growth in glaciers?

Answer 35

Glaciers darken, leading to reduced temperature regulation ## Footnote This can accelerate glacier melting and further contribute to climate change.

Question 36

What impact does the decrease in freshwater from melting glaciers have?

Answer 36

It impacts electricity generation, crops, and our supply of drinking water ## Footnote Freshwater availability is critical for many sectors including agriculture and energy.

Question 37

What is a significant ecological consequence of glacier melting?

Answer 37

Extinction of species that call glaciers their home ## Footnote This loss of biodiversity can have cascading effects on ecosystems.