Tectonic Plates

Question 1

Continental Crust

Answer 1

• Silicon and aluminum
• Light in weight
• 0 - 80km in depth
• Granite (igneous) is the most common type of rock

Question 2

Oceanic Crust

Answer 2

• Silica nad magnesium
• Heavier than continental
• basalt (igneous)

Question 3

Moho Discontinuity

Answer 3

• Transition zone between brittle crust and mantle
• Allows primary sesmic waves to pass through but no S-waves
• Begins around 40km

Question 4

Mantle

Answer 4

• Semi-molten
• Magnesium and iron
• Convection currents present

Question 5

Outer Core

Answer 5

• Found around 2900km below the surface
• Semi solid due to immense pressure
• Iron and nickel

Question 6

Inner Core

Answer 6

• Solid iron and nickel
• Solid from immense pressure
• Deep heat (source of heat of convection currents

Question 7

Atmosphere

Answer 7

Mixture of gases (mainly hydrogen and oxygen) found above the earth’s surface

Question 8

Biosphere

Answer 8

Thin layer below and on the earths surface where life forms exsist

Question 9

Ecosphere

Answer 9

Includes both biosphere and hydrosphere and extends into the lithosphere and atmosphere. All major processes that effect life are found here.

Question 10

Lithosphere

Answer 10

Earth’s outer layer. Includes the top crust of the mantle and all the crust. 100km thick

Question 11

Converging plate boundary (subduction zone)

Answer 11

• converging (oceanic and continental)

- creates rift valleys, fold mountains, island arc, volcanoes

Question 12

Diverging plate boundary

Answer 12

• two plates pulling apart
• deep sea trench or rift valley
• crust cracks, exposing magma from the mantle

Question 13

Converging Plate Boundary (collision zone)

Answer 13

• 99% of the time is continental plates, can be oceanic though
• two plates pushing together
• Neither subducts
• creates volcanoes, fold mountains

Question 14

Transform fault boundary

Answer 14

• 2 plates moving in opposite directions parallel to each other
• doesn’t create landforms
• can cause earthquakes

Question 15

Main Tectonic Plates

Answer 15

• Pacific plate
• Euroasia plate
• African plate
• Indian plate
• South American plate
• North American plate
• Antartica plate