Rock Cycle and Earth’s Layers Study Guide
1.
_________________ is a naturally occurring, solid mixture of one or more minerals.
2.
Describe four processes that shape Earth’s surface.
3.
Draw a diagram that shows the three different types of rock, and the processes that cause rock to change from one
type to another.
4.
_______________ Rock is formed when magma cools and hardens.
5.
________________ Rock is formed from heat and pressure below Earth’s surface.
6.
______________________ Rock is formed when pieces of sediment are cemented and compacted together.
7.
What determines the texture (the size of the crystals) of igneous rocks?
8.
What is the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rock?
9.
_______________________ is the process by which the layers, or strata, in sedimentary rock are formed.
10. Describe the three main categories of sedimentary rock.
11. Describe the difference between foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rock.
12. _____________________ metamorphism is when large pieces of Earth’s crust collide causing rock to become deformed and
chemically changed over large areas.
13. _____________________ metamorphism occurs when magma comes into direct contact with surrounding rock.
14. List earth’s four layers in order from the outside to the inside. Write a sentence describing each one.
15. The outer most, rigid layer of the earth, which includes the rust and the rigid upper part of the mantle is called the
___________________________.
16. The plastic (or putty-type rock) layer of the mantle on which pieces of the lithosphere move because of convection
currents is called the ___________________.
17. The strong lower part of the mantle, which extends to the Earths core is called the_______________.
18. Pieces of the lithosphere that move around on tope of the asthenosphere are called __________________________. Name five
major ones.
19. What causes the continents and the earth’s major plates to move?
20. What do scientists use to track the motion of tectonic plates?
21. How far do tectonic plates move per year?
22. The process by which hot rock from deep within Earth rises and cooler rock near the surface sinks is called
__________________________.
23. Who was the scientist that hypothesized about the continental drift and what was his theory?
24. What is Pangaea?
25. How does fossil evidence support Wegner’s hypothesis of continental drift (p.400)?
26. Underwater mountain chains, or _____________________ _______________________ are where sea-floor spreading takes place.
What happens during sea-floor spreading?
27. What are the types of boundaries, and what can be formed at each boundary?
28. Sea-floor spreading occurs wat which type of tectonic plate boundaires?
29. The study of earthquakes is called _________________________.
30. Most earthquakes take place along the edges of _____________ ____________.
31. Breaks along the Earth’s crust are called ___________________.
32. What type of deformation leads to earthquakes?
33. When the rock breaks along a fault it releases ______________________.
34. What is the Ring of Fire?
35. Describe how the movement of tectonic plates is related to mountain building, volcanoes, and sea-floor spreading.
36. How is the earth affected by geological processes, such as earthquakes and volcanoes? (pgs 436-411, 458)