1. Why do convection currents occur in the
mantle?
Less dense material floats and rises in fluid
while dense material sinks; heat added will
decrease density.
2. What causes the convection currents in the
mantle?
The heating and cooling of the molten material
in the mantle changes the fluid’s density. This
change, along with the force of gravity set
convection currents in motion. Heat is
provided from the mantle and core.
3. What type of boundary do earthquakes occur
along?
Transform boundaries
4. Why do earthquakes occur along this type of
boundary?
The plates move in opposite directions or in
the same direction at different speeds.
When one plate slips past another,
earthquakes occur. Released energy causes
seismic waves to be released from the
epicenter.
5. Along what type of plate boundary do you
generally find volcanoes?
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Volcanoes are generally found on divergent
and convergent boundaries. Some volcanoes
occur in the middle of the plates, called hot
spots.
What is sea floor spreading?
Sea-floor spreading is a theory that states
new sea-floor forms when lava erupts at a
mid-ocean ridge. The sea-floor spreads at a
divergent boundary, creating a ridge.
What evidence supports sea-floor spreading?
Rock near the mid-ocean ridge is younger
compared to the rocks further away from the
ridge. Magnetic strips in the sea-floor run
parallel to the ridge on both sides, showing
they were created at the same time but have
moved away from each other.
Where does sea floor spreading take place?
(other than the sea floor )
At the mid-ocean ridge, located along oceanic
divergent plate boundaries.
What is the theory of continental drift?
Alfred Wegner believed that millions of years
ago all the continents were formed together in
one super continent called Pangaea. As the
years went by, the landmass broke apart and
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the newly formed continents drifted away
from one another to where they are currently
located.
Who came up with the theory of continental
drift?
Alfred Wegner established the theory of
continental drift.
What is the theory of plate tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics states that the
Earth’s crust sits on top of rigid plates found
in the lithosphere. These plates float on top of
the molten material in the asthenosphere. The
plates move within the Earth’s surface forced
by convection currents in the asthenosphere.
If you could cut the Earth in half, what would
it look like?
Draw picture to include: crust, mantle, inner
core, outer core, lithosphere and asthenosphere
What are the different areas within Earth’s
interior?
crust, mantle, inner core, outer core,
lithosphere and asthenosphere