Term
|
Definition
Very thin layer of solid rockDensity between 2.7-3.2g/cm3Divided into continental and oceanic rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The boundary between the crust and mantle. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Dark coloured solid rocks rich in magnesium and silicondesity between 3.4-5.5g/cm3Parts of the mantle are moving slowly in a semi plastic way due to the convection currents produced by radioactive decay. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Made of nickel and iron, and is responsible for the earth's magnetismLiquid stateDensity between 10-12g/cm3 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Made of nickel and iron in solid state due to immense pressureDensity between 12-18g/cm3Divided into continental and oceanic rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A sudden ground motion or vibration of the Earth. |
|
|
Term
How do earthquakes occur? |
|
Definition
Forces inside the earth become strong enough to fracture large massas of rock and make them move. This sudden break releases energy in the form of seismic waves, which travel through the earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The exact point where an earthquake originates. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The nearest point above the focus on the earths crust. |
|
|
Term
How are seismic waves recorded. |
|
Definition
With the use of a seismograph. It relies on the principle of one part of the instrument shaking, while the other part remains still. |
|
|
Term
Discuss the richter scale. |
|
Definition
Measures energy released, but each unit on the scale means an energy increase of 10 times. e.g 6 is 10 times more powerful than 5, and a 100 times more powerful than 4. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
PUSH (transverse) waves travel within the earthPASS through both solids and liquids.PRIMARILY recorded because they travel the fastest. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SHAKE (longitudinal) waves travel through the earth but are STOPPED by liquidsSLOWER than P waves so are SECOND to arrive. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Long waves travel only in the crustLarge movements so produce the most damageLast to be recorded because they travel the slowest. |
|
|
Term
What happens to shock waves when they meet a boundary? |
|
Definition
ReflectionRefractionChange velocity |
|
|
Term
How do we know the thickness and densities of the earth's zones? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Describe continental crust. |
|
Definition
Forms the earths continents, and continues a little beyond their edges as continental shelves and continental slopes under the sea.Thickness varies.As the composition is on average like that of granite,continental crust is often called granitic crust. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
It's a thin,6km thick layer of crust beneath the sea floorsAs the composition is on average like that of basalt, oceanic crust is often called basaltic crust.Relatively young and heavy. |
|
|
Term
What is the thickness of the moho? |
|
Definition
Varies as the thickness of the crust varies. |
|
|
Term
Describe where volcanoes and earthquakes occur. |
|
Definition
In belts across the globe which can cross paths, e.g at the Indian Ocean.On land they tend to occur along high mountain chains.Under sea, belts are either found along the centres of oceans, e.g mid- Atlantic, or they pass through chains of volcanic islands.e.g Carribean.Trenches often run parallel to high mountains. e.g Peru- Chili Trench runs parallel to the Andes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The crust and uppermost part of the mantle. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Maintaining the balance in the earth's crust. Different hights of continental areas (therefore different weights of rock), are supported and balanced from below. |
|
|