structure of earth Flashcards
state the 3 layers that the structure of earth is broken down to
-core
-mantle
-crust
explain where the core is
-its the name given to the centre of the earth
characteristics of the core
-extremely hot, with temperatures up to 5500degrees
-inner core has properties like a solid
-outer core acts like a liquid
-composed of metals (nickel + iron), so heavy
where is the mantle found
-the middle section of the earth and has 4 differnt sections
characteristics of the mantle
-upper mantle is solid as its furthest away from the core so is the coolest
-upple mantle forms the lithosphere
where is the crust found
above the mantle
what is the crust
the outer layer of the earth and is between 6 and 70km thick
-its a solid layer of rock and is reffered to as the lithosphere
name the 2 types of crust
-oceanic
-continental
what is the oceanic crust
-covered by water, so very dense
-younger rock
-thin, ranging from 6-20km thick
-largely composed of basalt and is very dense
what is continental crust
-the land
-older rock
-ranges from 20-70km thick
-crust is composed of granite so is less dense than oceanic
explain what the lithosphere is
-the solid outer part of earth
-it includes the brittle upper portion of the mantle and crust
state the name of the place where plates meet
plate boundaries
slab push,,,,,
state what tectonic hazards are
earthquakes and volcanic erruptions that take place where plate margins meet
state 3 types of plate margins
-destructive
-constructive
-conservative
what is destructive plate margins
- where 2plates are moving towards each other
- oceanic plate meets a continental plate and the denser oceanic plates subducted and destroyed
- VOLCANOS OCCUR HERE
where 2 continental plates meet, the ground is folded upwards creating fold mountains
what is a constructive plate margin
-where 2 plates are moving away from each other
-magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap and cools creating new crust
whats a conservative margin
-where 2plates are moving sideways past each other
or are moving in the same direction
what type of plate margins do volcanoes occur
-destructive
-constructive
where do earthquakes occur
at all 3 types, caused by the tension that builds up