Earth Science Fundamentals: Crust, Plates, and Geologic Time
Earth’s Composition and Processes
Chapter 1 & 2: Earth’s Structure and Time
Continental vs. Oceanic Crust
How does continental crust differ from oceanic crust? All of the above (thicker, light color, less dense).
The Lithosphere
The rigid, brittle layer of the Earth that is broken into drifting plates is the: Lithosphere.
Uniformitarianism
That geologic processes have been consistent over time (“the present is the key to the past”) is the basis for the theory of: Uniformitarianism.
Geologic Eras
The four major eras of geologic time, from oldest to most recent, are: Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic.
North Carolina Earthquake
Which of the following was NOT a result of the recent magnitude 5.1 earthquake in North Carolina? A tsunami or tidal wave.
Crustal Elements
Which of the following is among the most common crustal elements but not among the most common elements on a whole-Earth basis? Sodium (Na).
Dinosaur Evidence
Which of these is the overwhelming evidence that dinosaurs once roamed the Earth? Fossils of them, as found buried in sediment.
Earth Profile
A vertical slice or side view of a portion of the Earth is called a: Profile.
Theory vs. Hypothesis
What is the critical difference between a theory and a hypothesis? A theory is a hypothesis that has withstood time and the scrutiny of the scientific community.
Topographic Maps
A map that uses varying degrees of dark shading to convey the nature of the Earth’s surface is a: Topographic map.
Quantitative Data
Detailed field and laboratory information, with units of measurements, constitute: Quantitative data.
Numerical Age
The age of a rock, expressed in units of time, is its: Numerical age.
Meteorite Insights
Which of the following characteristics do meteorites suggest about the Earth’s interior? Composition and density.
Deposition
The dumping/dropping of eroded earth material from water, wind, glaciers and waves is known as: Deposition.
Metamorphism
Rocks undergo metamorphism because of: Exposure to heat and pressure deep in the crust.
Sedimentary Rocks
Earth materials such as mud, silt, sand and gravel form: Sedimentary rocks.
Igneous Rocks
Those rocks that form from crystallization of molten magma are: Igneous rocks.
Rock Composition
Which of the following is the correct relationship? Rocks are made of minerals that are made of elements.
Earth’s Interior Information
Which of these is NOT a source of information about the likely characteristics of the Earth’s interior layers? Deep drilling.
Human Era
Which geologic era is the one in which humankind has lived? Cenozoic.
Chapter 3 & 4: Plate Tectonics
Diverging Plate Boundaries
What is the relative motion of the two plates either side of a diverging plate boundary? Pulling apart from one another.
Continental vs. Oceanic Lithosphere
How does “continental” lithosphere differ from “oceanic” lithosphere? All of the above (continental is thicker, low density, and light color).
The Asthenosphere
Which of the following is true about the Earth’s “asthenosphere?” It’s a plastic layer than can bend and flow.
Pangaea
The name coined by Alfred Wegener for the original supercontinent was: Pangaea.
Wegener’s Evidence
Which of these was Wegener not able to use to support his theory of continental drift? The magnetic characteristic of rocks.
Wegener’s Unanswered Question
What was the one big question Wegener could not answer? What actually caused the continent to drift?.
Magnetic Declination
The difference in the location of the Earth’s geographic and magnetic poles (axes) is called: Declination.
Magnetic Inclination
The tendency for a compass needle to tilt downward in parallel to the lines of force of the Earth’s magnetic field is called: Inclination.
Paleomagnetism
Magnetic characteristics of the past, captured in iron-rich rocks, is called: Paleomagnetism.