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GCSE Geology
General
22
Geology
Not Applicable
04/25/2006

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Describe the crust
Definition
  • Very thin layer of solid rock
  • Density between 2.7-3.2g/cm3
  • Divided into continental and oceanic rock
  • Term
    What is the moho
    Definition
  • The boundary between the crust and mantle.
  • Term
    Describe the mantle
    Definition
  • Dark coloured solid rocks rich in magnesium and silicon
  • desity between 3.4-5.5g/cm3
  • Parts of the mantle are moving slowly in a semi plastic way due to the convection currents produced by radioactive decay.
  • Term
    Describe the outer core
    Definition
  • Made of nickel and iron, and is responsible for the earth's magnetism
  • Liquid state
  • Density between 10-12g/cm3
  • Term
    Describe the inner core
    Definition
  • Made of nickel and iron in solid state due to immense pressure
  • Density between 12-18g/cm3
  • Divided into continental and oceanic rock
  • Term
    What is an earthquake
    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
    What is the focus?
    Definition
    The exact point where an earthquake originates.
    Term
    What is the epicentre
    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
    Describe P waves
    Definition
  • PUSH (transverse) waves travel within the earth
  • PASS through both solids and liquids.
  • PRIMARILY recorded because they travel the fastest.
  • Term
    Describe S waves
    Definition
  • SHAKE (longitudinal) waves travel through the earth but are STOPPED by liquids
  • SLOWER than P waves so are SECOND to arrive.
  • Term
    Describe L waves
    Definition
  • Long waves travel only in the crust
  • Large movements so produce the most damage
  • Last to be recorded because they travel the slowest.
  • Term
    What happens to shock waves when they meet a boundary?
    Definition
  • Reflection
  • Refraction
  • Change velocity
  • Term
    How do we know the thickness and densities of the earth's zones?
    Definition
    Using seismology
    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
    Describe oceanic crust.
    Definition
  • It's a thin,6km thick layer of crust beneath the sea floors
  • As 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
    What is the lithosphere?
    Definition
    The crust and uppermost part of the mantle.
    Term
    What is the Isostasy?
    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.
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