Tectonics

Question 1

Describe the Earth’s structure

Answer 1

Inner core (solid rock), outer core (liquid rock), lower mantle, upper mantle (both molten, semi-liquid), lithosphere

Question 2

What are the four main plate boundaries?

Answer 2

Destructive - Oceanic plate subducted under the continental plate
Collision - Two plate colliding
Conservative - Two plates sliding past each other
Constructive - Two plate moving apart

Question 3

What are ‘intra-plate’ volcanic eruptions

Answer 3

Mantle Plumes push magma towards the surface - creates volcanoes that continually erupt/volcanic islands

Question 4

How are earthquakes caused?

Answer 4

Tectonic plates moving past each other stick, creates a build up of tension/energy - Energy released when they jolt past each other

Question 5

Describe the 3 seismic waves produced by an earthquake

Answer 5

P-Waves (primary) - Fastest, arrive first, cause least damage
S-Waves (secondary) - Arrive next, shake the ground violently (damaging)
L-Waves, arrive last (only travel across land surfaces), cause significant damage, e.g. fracturing ground