Science Flashcards
Who developed Continental Drift theory?
Alfred Wegener
What were two pieces of supporting evidence for this theory?
Similar fossils, rock layers on different continents, same mountain ranges on different continents.
Shape of coastlines, glacial evidence
Why was Continental Drift theory not widely accepted at first?
No proof or known mechanism
Identify 4 Earth layers in the correct order from the surface down.
Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core
Identify the composition AND state of matter of each layer identified in the previous question.
Crust- Solid (felsic) rock
Mantle- Molten (mafic) rock
Outer Core- Molten iron
Inner Core- Solid iron
What new technology allowed scientists to study Earth’s crust in its entirety?
Sonar
What type of wave has allowed scientists to study the structure of Earth’s interior?
Seismic
What is the term used to identify the solid, outer portion of the Earth and the upper portion of the mantle?
Lithosphere
What is the term used to identify the zone of the mantle beneath the Lithosphere?
Asthenosphere
Describe the relative direction of plate motion at a divergent boundary and identify the primary feature.
Apart, Mid-oceanic Ridge, volcanoes that create new crust
Identify the two types of convergent boundary and describe the relative direction of plate motion.
Collision, Subduction, Together
Identify the 4th type of plate boundary discussed in class and describe the relative direction of plate motion.
Transform Fault, Slide horizontally past
Identify two features of a collision boundary.
Mountains (inland), Earthquakes
Identify three features of a subduction boundary.
Coastal Mountains, Deep-ocean Trenches, Volcanoes, Earthquakes
What is the mechanism for crustal plate motion?
Seafloor Spreading
Identify two pieces of evidence found in seafloor rocks that confirmed seafloor spreading.
Ages, Polarity, thickness of sediment layers all symmetrical on opposite sides of mid-ocean ridge
What is believed to be the driving force behind seafloor spreading?
Convection Currents
At which type of plate boundary do volcanoes create new crust?
Divergent (mid-ocean ridge)
At which type of plate boundary do volcanoes destroy old crust?
Subduction (deep-ocean trench)
