The Earth's Structure

Question 1

What components make up the earth’s structure?

Answer 1

Crust, mantle, outer and inner core

Question 2

Describe the crust

Answer 2

The bit we live on, is very thin (5 km and 50 km) and is surrounded by the atmosphere

Question 3

Describe the mantle

Answer 3

Below the crust is the mantle. The mantle has all the properties of a solid, except that it can flow very slowly
Within the mantle, radioactive decay takes place. This produces a lot of heat, which causes the mantle to flow in convection currents

Question 4

Describe the core

Answer 4

It’s at the centre of the earth, which we think is made of iron and nickel

Question 5

What is the earth’s surface made up of? (short)

Answer 5

tectonic plates

Question 6

Describe tectonic plates

Answer 6

The crust ad the upper part of the mantle are cracked into a number of large pieces.
The plates don’t stay in one place though. That’s because thee convection currents in the mantle cause the plates to drift

Question 7

What speed are most of the plates moving at?

Answer 7

A few cm per year relative to eachother

Question 8

What causes an earthquake? (Short)

Answer 8

Plates moving very suddenly

Question 9

Where do volcanoes and earthquakes occur?

Answer 9

At boundaries between 2 tectonic plates

Question 10

What clue is there for volcanoes erupting soon?

Answer 10

Before an eruption, molten rock rises up into chambers near the surface, causing the ground surface to bulge slightly. This causes mini-earthquakes near the volcano
However sometimes the molten rock can cool down