Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Geography > Restless Earth > Flashcards

Restless Earth Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

What is a plate

A

A section of the earths crust

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a plate margin

A

The boundary where 2 plates meet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the mantle

A

The dense mostly solid later between the outer core and the crust

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a convection current

A

The circular currents of heat in the mantle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the earths core

A

The centre of the earth, it is split into the solid inner core and the molten outer core

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the earths crust unstable

A

Because the plates are moving due to them floating on he upper mantle and convection currents create the movement deciding which way the plates will move

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does the movement of plates lead to

A

Earthquakes, volcanoes and fold mountains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the four types of plate boundary

A

Constructive
Destructive
Collision
Conservative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Characteristics of constructive plate margins

A

They move apart
Mostly under the ocean
Magma rises up to the surface through cracks and new land is formed
Magma is made of basalt so hot and runny

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is formed on a constructive plate margin

A

Lava flows
very shallow sided volcanoes, they aren’t explosive or dangerous.
Ridges are built up from sea bed
Earthquakes are small and caused by friction as plates pull apart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Characteristics of collision plate margin

A

Destructive boundary

Two continental plates collide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are formed on collision boundaries

A

Destructive earthquakes also happen on faults (huge cracks in the crust)
Fold mountains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Characteristics of conservative plate margins

A

Plates slide past each other
Moving in similar direction at slighting different angles and speed
Rare but very destructive earthquakes. (Close to surface)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do earthquakes form on conservative plate margins

A

One plate is moving faster in a different direction than the other so they tend to snag.
The movement of the plate causes friction and pressure builds up along the fault.
Eventually pressure is too much and one plate jerks past the other.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Characteristics of destructive plate margins

A

Plates move together
One plate is oceanic and other is continental the denser oceanic crust sinks under the lighter continental - known as subduction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is formed at a destructive by subduction plate boundary

A

Subduction zone is oceanic trench
Composite volcanoes
Earthquakes when plates jerk which are often devastating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How does a composite volcano form

A

Oceanic plate sinks under continental so there is great pressure.
Oceanic plate melts.
The magma may then rise upwards as it is less dense and can work its way up through the cracks of continental causing a volcanic eruption leading to the formation of composite volcanoes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where are earthquakes and volcanoes usually found

A

Occur in linear patterns along plate boundaries. Most volcanoes occur in narrow belts or are grouped together in small clumps. Half of them occur around the Pacific ring of fire a destructive plate boundary. Some volcanoes are found away from plate margins in hot spots.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are fold mountains

A

Large mountain ranges where rock layers have been crumpled as they have been forced together and form along collision plate boundaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How do fold mountains form

A

Sedimentary rock thousands of metres thick formed in big depressions called geosynclines, rivers carried sediment and deposited it here.
Over millions of years this sediment was compressed into sedimentary rock like limestone.
The rock was then forced upwards into s series of folds by collision boundaries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is an anticline

A

Upfold of folded rocks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is a syncline

A

Down fold of folded rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is an overfold

A

Where a find has been pushed over on one side

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is an ocean trench

A

A deep section of the ocean usually where an oceanic plate is sinking below a continental plate. Usually very deep typically 5000-10000 metres.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the case study for fold mountains

A

The Alps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the background facts to the Alps case study

A
  • African plate pushing north against Eurasian plate
  • highest peak is Mont Blanc
  • form border between Italy and France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the four benefits of the Alps and its land use?

A

Tourism
Farming
Hydro electric power
Forestry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are key facts about the Alps positive use of hydro electric power

A
  • steep slopes, high precipitation and simmer melting of glaciers produce fast flowing rivers good for generating HEP
  • narrow valleys are easy to dam and lakes which store water
  • is 60% of switzerlands energy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are the key facts of tourism positive in the Alps

A
  • all year round
  • winter: snow for skiing and winter sports
  • summer: lakes, beautiful scenery, walking
  • les deux Alps (ski resort)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are the key positive facts about farming in the Alps

A
  • south facing slopes where it is sunnier
  • transhumance where in summer cattle graze on high Alps and in winter cattle return to sheds on valley floor
  • dairy farming good for chocolate like lindt
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are the positive key facts about forestry in the Alps

A
  • coniferous trees cover many slopes

- wood , a plentiful local resource, is a main building material and winter fuel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What are the problems of the land use for the Alps

A

Tourism

  • winters warming up
  • skiing on worn slopes damages vegetation and surface, increases the number of bare surfaces and the risk of soil erosion

Farming

  • farmers but in feed to keep animals on valley floor all year
  • cable cars built for tourism are used to get milk to dairies on valley floor
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are the aspects that divide the two types of volcanoes

A

Depending on the material thrown out during and eruption and the form of the volcano cone produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are shield volcanos

A

Volcanoes on constructive plate margins when the plates move apart and magma rises to fill the gap adding new rock. Some magma could be forced out to the surface through a vent. E.g Hawaii.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is the characteristic of a shield volcanoes lava and why

A

Basic Lava from within the mantle has a low silica content so it pours out easily, is runny and flows long distances before cooling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Characteristics of a shield volcano

A
  • cone with wide base and gentle slopes
  • made of lava only
  • regular and frequent eruptions
  • lava pours out with little violence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is a composite cone volcano

A

One formed at a destructive plate margin.
denser oceanic plate under continental plate, forms a pool of magma and great heat and pressure forced the magma up along a gap where it erupts to form the volcano.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What are the characteristics of a composite volcanoes lava

A
  • acid lava has high silica content so more vicious so travels a shorter distance before cooling
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Why are composite volcano eruptions so violent

A

The vent becomes blocked which leads to great pressure building up before the next eruption and when this happens lava us shattered into pieces to form bombs and ash and dust are showered over a wide area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Characteristics of a composite volcano

A
  • tall cone with narrow base and steep sides
  • made or alternate layers of lava and ash
  • irregular with long dormant periods
  • violent explosions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What is a natural hazard

A

An occurrence over which people have little control which poses a threat to people’s lives and possessions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is the difference between a natural hazard and a natural event

A

Because things can occur in unpopulated areas so it is not a hazard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What are the primary effects (the immediate effects after caused directly by it) of a volcanic eruption

A

People injured and killed
Buildings, property and farmland destroyed
Communications and public services disrupted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What are the secondary effects (after effects that occur as an indirect effect on a longer timescale) of a volcanic eruption

A

Shortage of drinking water, food and shelter
Spread of disease from contamination
Economic problems from the cost of rebuilding and loss of land
Social problems from family loses and stress
Lahars and pyroclastic flows
Dust in atmosphere can affect global temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What is a lahar

A

Mudflows resulting from ash mixing with melting ice or water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What can loss of life in a volcanic eruption be due to

A

Falling debris, suffocation from poisonous gases or being buried in mud flows

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What are the immediate responses to a volcanic eruption

A

Evacuation from area directly after or if predicted before
Emergency services deployed
International aid sent e.g tents, bottled water, medical supplies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What are the long term responses after a volcanic eruption

A

Rebuilding settlements

Redeveloping conic activities affected like farming and tourism

49
Q

What is a case study for a volcanic eruption

A

Mt St. Helens

50
Q

What are background facts to the Mt St. Helens case study

A

In USA
Juan de fuca subducted under North American plate
Mini earthquakes and small eruptions as an after effect

51
Q

What are the primary effects of the Mt St. Helens case study

A
  • 61 deaths
  • 10 million trees destroyed
  • spirit lake filled with ash and mud
  • floodwater washed away several roads and railway bridges
  • electricity supplies were interrupted and telephone wires cut
  • ash encircled the world after a few days
52
Q

What are the secondary effects of the Mt St. Helens case study

A
  • money lost as businesses were destroyed, crops and livestock, logging camps and fisheries
  • ash in atmosphere though to have affect UKs weather
53
Q

What were the responses to the Mt St. Helens eruption

A 
Shorterm -
Evacuation of area before main eruption but predication of area was not completely accurate
Long term- 
Need for rebuilding
10 million trees replanted
54
Q

Why do people live near volcanoes

A
  • volcanic soils are very fertile
  • many attractions for tourists e.g hot springs and mud pools, watching geysers and trips to the crater
  • selling souvenirs or bus trips
  • hot water has economic uses e.g domestic heating or geothermal energy
  • valuable minerals e.g sulphur
55
Q

What is the earth crust

A

The outer layer of the earth

56
Q

What are the advanced warning signs of volcanic eruptions

A

Small earthquake shocks, increased emission of steam and gases and visual signs of bulging around the crater

57
Q

What do electronic tilt metres do

A

Measure very small changes in the profile of the mountain

58
Q

What do global positioning systems (GPS) do

A

Use satellites to detect small movement in the earth and changes in the surface temperature can also be seen by satellites

59
Q

How do you measure the gases that are being released before an eruption

A

Gases emitted from the bent increases the amount of sulphur dioxide and robots can be used to monitor these changes

60
Q

How do past eruptions help monitor volcanoes

A

The gap between their patterns of lava flow and ash movement give info about how a volcano is likely to behave

61
Q

How are volcanoes near large populations managed

A

Organising evacuations and arranging supplies if the signs of an eruption occur, Land use zoning and hazard mapping can be used to limit the impact on people.
Lava can be cooled during an eruption by being sprayed with water and lava flows can be diverted with concrete blocks.

62
Q

What is a super volcano and where do they occur

A

A mega colossal volcano that erupts at least 1000km3 of material. Occur at hot spots not on plate boundaries

63
Q

What is a hot spot

A

A section of the earths crust where plumes of magma rise weakening the crust

64
Q

Characteristics of a super volcano

A

Occur in large depressions called calderas often marked by a rim of higher land around the edges

65
Q

How is a super volcano formed

A

Magma in the earth rises into the crust from a hot spot but is unable to break through the crust.
Pressure builds up in a large and growing magma pool until the crust can’t contain the pressure.
Cracks appear in the surface and gas and ash erupt from magma chamber.
Magma chamber collapses causing a super volcano and caldera.

66
Q

What are the effects of a super volcano

A

It effects the landscape over hundreds if not thousands of kilometres, it can lead to a volcanic winter because of all the dust in the atmosphere - lowers temperature because less sunlight is reaching the earth.

67
Q

What six ways are super volcanos different to normal volcanos

A
  • much bigger
  • emit huge amounts of material (1000km3 compared to Mt St. Helens 1km3)
  • don’t look like a volcano as no volcano characteristic cone
  • large depressions called calderas
  • rim of higher land around their edges
  • don’t occur on plate boundaries
68
Q

What is the case study for a super volcano

A

Yellowstone

69
Q

What are the background facts to yellow stone

A
  • last eruptions were 2 million years ago, 1.3 million years ago and 630000 years ago
70
Q

What are the primary effects if the Yellowstone volcano was to erupt

A

Destroy 10,000km3 of land
Kill 87000 people
Within 1000km 15cm of ash would cover buildings
1 in 3 affected would die
Ash would affect transport, electricity, water and farming

71
Q

What are the secondary effects if the Yellowstone super volcano erupted

A 
Lahars likely
The U.K. Would await the arrival of ash 5 days later
Global climate would change
Crops would fail
A volcanic winter
72
Q

What is an earthquake

A

The shaking and vibration of the crust due to movement of the earths plates and can happen along any plate boundary

73
Q

How do earthquakes form in general

A

When tension is released from inside the crust .
Happens because plates don’t move smoothly so sometimes they get stuck when this happens lots of pressure builds up and when it is released earthquakes occur.

74
Q

How does a destructive plate margin cause earthquakes

A

The pressure from the sinking of the subduction plateand it’s subsequent melting can trigger strong earthquakes as this pressure is periodically released

75
Q

What is the focus of an earthquake

A

The point in the earths crust where the earthquake originates the shaking is worse on the surface if the focus is shallow

76
Q

What is the epicentre of an earthquake

A

The point on the earths surface directly above the focus

77
Q

What is a shock wave of an earthquake

A

Seismic waves generated by an earthquake that pass through the earths crust

78
Q

What are the stages of the seismic waves

A
  1. Primary waves,relatively weak and causes surface to move forward and back in the direction of that wave
  2. Secondary waves, stronger and at right angles to the outward movement of the main wave. Both are below the surface
  3. Final waves travel near to the surface and are most powerful
79
Q

What are the two different types of waves

A

Longitudinal waves causing up and down movement

Transverse waves causing side to side movement which is more damaging

80
Q

What is the magnitude (size of the earthquake) measured by

A

Seismograph

81
Q

How do seismographs work

A

They record the extent of shaking by a pen and identify the trace of movement on a rotating drum

82
Q

What is a graph produced by a seismograph called

A

Seismogram

83
Q

What is the Richter scale and how is it used

A

Used for measuring earthquakes based on scientific recordings of the amount of movement. It is logarithmic so everyone on it goes up is actually ten times bigger e.g an earthquake a 2 is 10 times bigger than one at 1.

84
Q

What is the mercalli scale and what does it take into account

A

It is used to identify the intensity of an earthquake. It classifies using Roman numerals and takes into account the visible effects of the earths surface, people and buildings

85
Q

What does the value of the mercalli scale depend on

A

The distance to the earthquake as the highest scoring will be around the epicentre

86
Q

What are the primary effects of an earthquake

A

Collapsing buildings roads and bridges
People killed e.g being trapped in homes, places of work and cars
People injured e.g falling buildings

87
Q

What are the secondary effects of an earthquake

A

Fires caused by earthquakes breaking gas pipes and bringing down electricity wires
Tsunamis caused by earthquake on the sea floor
Landslides likely on steep slopes and in areas of weak rocks
Diseases like cholera spread easily when burst pipes lead to shortages and contamination from sewers

88
Q

How do physical factors of an earthquake make it a high level of damage

A

If it has a high magnitude on Richter scale
If it has a shallow focus
Sands and clays as they vibrate more

89
Q

How do physical factors of an earthquake make it a low level of damage

A

If it is a low magnitude
If it has a deep focus
And if the place is made of a hard rock surface

90
Q

How do human factors mean earthquakes have a high level of damage

A 
High density of population
Residential area of a city 
Self built housing
Lack of emergency procedures
Also effected by the time and day and how close people are to epicentre
91
Q

How do human factors mean an earthquake has a low level of damage

A

Low density of population
Urban areas with open spaces
Earthquake proof buildings
Regular earthquake drills

92
Q

Why is the impact of an earthquake much more severe in poor countries

A

Because earthquake resistant buildings are too expensive.where building regulations exist they may he ignored because builders want to make more money and people can only afford cheap houses. People less prepared.

93
Q

What are the three Ps

A

Prediction, protection and preparation

94
Q

What is Prediction against an earthquake and how useful is it

A

Attempting to forecast an event based on current knowledge.
Not very useful as experts know when earthquakes are likely but not definite, time between earthquakes doesn’t seem to works, watching animal behaviour is viewed sceptically, foreshocks happen but not on a useful timescale.

95
Q

What is protection

A

Constructing buildings so they are safe to live in and will not collapse

96
Q

What are some good ways to earthquake proof your home

A
  • computer controlled weights on roof to restrict movement
  • steel frames that can sway
  • fire resistant building materials
  • automatic window shutters to prevent falling glass
  • rubber shock absorbers to absorb earth tremors
  • roads
97
Q

What is preparation and what does it involve

A

Organising activities and drills so people know what to do in the event of an earthquake.
Hospitals, emergency services, public buildings and individuals practising for major disasters so they are trained and ready.

98
Q

What is a case study for an MEDC earthquake

A

Christchurch

99
Q

Background facts of Christ church earthquake

A
  • 6.3 on Richter scale and was an after shock earthquake
  • epicentre 10cm south east of Christchurch
  • shallow earthquake focus 5km deep
  • liquefaction was wide spread
100
Q

What were the primary effects of the Christchurch earthquake

A
  • 181 killed
  • half the buildings destroyed or damaged
  • six storey Canterbury television building collapsed killing 85
  • schools closed
  • tallest building, hotel grand chancellor, displaced by 0.5 metres
  • more than 10,000 homes destroyed or damaged
  • power and telephone lines knocked out, burst pipes deluged street in water
101
Q

What were the secondary effects of the Christ church earthquake

A
  • money lost as businesses closed until buildings confirmed safe
  • buildings took months to repair
  • insurance claims were made by everyone
  • cost of reconstructions £13 billion
  • 10,000 migrated away from Christ church
102
Q

What were the short term responses to the Christchruch earthquake?

A
  • military mobilised to help the rescue effort and the government accepted specialised help from Australia
  • fire and ambulance crews and other rescue services searched for survivors
103
Q

What were the long term responses to the Christ church earthquake

A
  • government set up the Canterbury earthquake recovery authority to reconstruct Christchurch (13 billion)
  • city divided into four zones, red zone was worst affected, orange zone was residential, green zone was homes and white zone.
104
Q

The preparations in case of an earthquake Christ church took

A
  • Geonet detects and monitors earthquakes and provides info in minutes to emergency services
  • funding by government to provide earthquake insurance
  • public education programs to quake proof they homes
  • only older buildings in the north island reinforced to stop damage during an earthquake so Christ church was more vulnerable
105
Q

What is the case study for an LEDC earthquake

A

Haiti

106
Q

What are the background facts to the Haiti earthquake

A

7 on Richter scale
Tremor lasted one minute
Epicentre 25km from the capital
Focus 13km so shallow and lots of shaking

107
Q

What were the primary effects of the Haiti earthquake

A 
Over 220,000 deaths
Over 300000 injured
1.1 million displaced from homes
90,000 homes destroyed 
Roads, bridges, telephone lines and electrical systems destroyed
Schools and hospitals collapsed
108
Q

What were the secondary effects of the Haiti earthquake

A

Fires
Diseases spread due to poor living conditions - lack of sanitation
Small local tsunami

109
Q

What were the short term responses to the Haiti earthquake

A
  • international aid teams arrive with food, water and medical supplies
  • 23000 tents distributed and temporary camps set up
  • people dig for survivors with hands and basic tools
  • people grieve
110
Q

What are the long term responses of the Haiti earthquake

A
  • vast areas will need to be rebuilt from scratch (houses, roads schools)
  • G7 countries (richest)have written off Haitis debt
  • forbid new buildings in high risk area
111
Q

What is a tsunami

A

A special type of wage where the entire depth of the sea or ocean is set in motion by an earthquake which displaces the water above it and creates a huge wave

112
Q

How are tsunamis formed

A
  • earthquakes at sea
  • energy from earthquake vertically jolts the seabed (primary effect) a few metres displacing a lot of water (secondary effect)
  • large waves begun moving through the ocean away from the epicentre
  • in deep water it moves at great speed but as it reaches shallower water it slows but increases in height
113
Q

How can you tell is a tsunami is coming

A

If there is no warning system the only sign is just before it strike the waterline suddenly retreats exposing hundreds of metres of beach and seabed

114
Q

What is a case study for a tsunami

A

Indian Ocean (the Boxing Day tsunami)

115
Q

What are the background facts of the Indian Ocean tsunami

A
  • on Boxing Day
  • earthquake of 9 on Richter scale
  • waves over 20m in places
116
Q

What are the primary effects of the Boxing Day tsunami

A
  • over 220,000 deaths
  • tens of thousands of people injured
  • towns and villages swept away
  • 2 million people displaced
  • bridges and railways destroyed
117
Q

What are the secondary effects of the Boxing Day tsunami

A
  • disease
  • damage to the economies based on agriculture and fishing because people lost crops and boats
  • food shortages because of damage to those industries
118
Q

What are the short term responses to the Indian Ocean tsunami

A
  • people fled from the coast to high land (in Phuket Thailand)
  • international aid, blankets, water food and medicine
  • £450 million pledged within a week
  • troops used bulldozers to create mass graves
  • grief as a huge number of deaths
119
Q

What are the long term responses to the Indian Ocean tsunami

A
  • rebuilding homes and infrastructures
  • disaster emergency committee spent £40 million in rebuilding in Sri Lanka and Indonesia
  • warning systems have now been put in place in the India ocean

Geography (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions