Restless Earth Flashcards
Constructive plate boundary
2 plates move apart due to convection currents in mantle
Magma rises through crust then cools and solidifies
Process repeats until new rock builds up forming volcano
Earthquakes included
E.g. Mid Atlantic Ridge
Destructive plate boundary
Denser oceanic plate is pushed under continental plate (subduction)
Friction where the plates slide melts mantle to become magma
Magma rises through gaps in continental plate
If it reaches surface it becomes a volcano
E.g. Nazca plate forced under South American plate
Earthquakes may happen
Conservative plate boundary
2 plates slide past/move in same direction at different speeds
Pressure builds along a fault
Friction causes earthquakes then the plates jerk free
E.g. San Andreas Fault, California
Collision plate boundary
2 plates of similar densities move together
Causes material between them to buckle and rise forming fold mountains
Earthquakes are common
E.g. Himalayas are fold mountains
Vent
Opening where lava flows from
Magma
Molten rock from deep within the earth
Lava
Molten magma when it erupts at the surface
Crater
The hollow at the mouth of volcano
Pyroclastic flow
Hot avalanche of gas, ash, cinders and rock that rushes down slopes of volcano after eruption
Lahar
Fast flowing mudflows made of water mixed with ash
Shield characteristics
Constructive plate Little violence Regular eruptions Basic lava (runny) Wide base, flat sides made of lava E.g. Hekla
Composite characteristics
Destructive plate Irregular eruptions Acid lava (viscous, thick) Narrow base, steep sides made of alternate layers (lava then ash and rocks) E.g. Mt St Helens
Advantages of living with volcano
Fertile soil with minerals (e.g. boxite) Hot springs Geothermal power Mud used for skin care Tourist attractions (e.g. Yellowstone National Park) Responsible for building new land
Disadvantages of living with a volcano
Destruction of vegetation, crops Loss of wildlife, homes Severe injury, death Living in fear Dangerous gases, avalanches Dormant volcanoes can erupt at any time Disease and fires
Use of aircraft…
Flying over volcano because they can measure gas given off by the volcano.
Seismometers…
Because these monitor earthquakes which increase as magma rises.
Tilt meters…
Used to detect swelling of volcano because as volcano fills with lava it can bulge.
Boreholes…
Measure water temperature because as magma rises it heats up the water.
Lithosphere
It’s made of the solid crust and upper mantle
Asthenosphere
The layer below the lithosphere where it’s less solid and convection happens
Oceanic crust
Under the ocean
Mostly made of igneous rock, which is very dense
Much thinner than the continental crust but it is much heavier