Name:
Earth’s Layers and Plate Tectonics Study Guide Part 2
1. What are the three layers of the Earth? List all three and provide descriptions and facts about
each layer.
 Mantle – 67% of Earth’s mass
 Crust – Extremely thin (less than 1%), outermost layer
 Core – Made of iron and nickel, central portion
2. What are the five layers of the Earth? List and describe.
 Lithosphere – Outermost layer made of the crust and rigid upper portion of the mantle, divided
into tectonic plates
 Asthenosphere – “Plastic” layer, solid rock that flows very slowly
 Mesosphere – Strong lower part of the mantle, extends from the asthenosphere into the core
 Outer Core – Liquid layer that surrounds the inner core
 Inner Core – Solid, dense layer of the core
3. According to the reading in page 5 of your notebook, what discovery occurred in 1906? Three
years after (1909), and in 1936? Why were these discoveries important in understanding
knowledge of the Earth?
 1906 – Earth had a core
 1909 – Boundary between the crust and mantle
 1936 – Two cores (inner to be solid and outer to be liquid)
These discoveries were the turning points to understanding the composition of the Earth.
4.
What is the basis of three layers? What is the basis of five layers? (In other words, why are
they divided that way?)
The basis of the three layers in composition (make up of the layers) while the basis of the five layers is
physical properties.
5.
What are some differences between continental and oceanic crust?
Oceanic Crust – dense, primarily made of basalt
Continental Crust – less dense, primarily made of granite
6.
Why does oceanic crust sit lower than continental crust?
The oceanic crust sits lower than continental crust because the density of oceanic crust is greater due
to the type of rock (basalt)
7.
What are tectonic plates?
Tectonic plates are pieces of the lithosphere that consists of the crust and outermost portion of the
mantle. These plates form boundaries where geologic events/landforms such as earthquakes, volcanoes,
mountain ranges, trenches, and mid-ocean ridges occur.
8.
What are the characteristics of the asthenosphere?
Name:
The asthenosphere flows directly under the lithosphere and is the “plastic” layer that causes the plate
motion.
9.
How do scientists know about the inside of the Earth? What technology do they use?
Scientists use seismic waves to study the various layers of the Earth.
10. Describe Wegener’s theory on Continental drift and the evidence he used to come up with the
theory.
Wegener believed that all of the continents must have been connected to form one landmass and slowly
drifted apart. His evidence included fossils on separate continents and the puzzle pieces that the
different continents formed.
11. What did Earth look like 300 million years ago?
What was the landmass called?
300 million years ago Earth was one large landmass with all of the continents connected. This landmass
is called Pangaea.
12. Do earthquakes occur frequently from year to year?
How many happen yearly?
Yes, earthquakes occur very frequently from year to year. There are over 2,000 major earthquakes per
year.
13.What is the “Tectonics theory”?
“Tectonics theory” states that pieces of the lithosphere are in constant motion on top of the
asthenosphere. Additionally, “tectonics theory” is supported by evidence such as sea-floor spreading,
trenches, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
14. List the three types of boundaries and explain how crust moves for each.
1. Divergent – The plates move away from one another (divide)
2. Convergent – The plates collide
3. Transform – The plates slide past one another
15.What landforms occur at each boundary? Name the boundary and list the landforms.
Divergent – Mid-ocean ridge, rift valley
Convergent – Trenches, mountains
Transform – Faults
16. What are the three different causes of plate motion?
List and describe all three.
Convection – Hot rock rises and cool rock sinks causing a current in the mantle.
Ridge push – Plate motion due to gravity
Slab pull – Plate motion due to the density of the crust during subduction
17. What is unique about the Hawaiian Islands in regards to the location on the plate?
The Hawaiian Islands are located in the middle of a major tectonic plate.
Name:
18. What is a hot spot?
A hot spot is an area of volcanic activity due to magma rising in places other than plate boundaries.
19. Describe sea-floor spreading and the landforms that are created.
Sea-floor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is created through volcanic
activity. Sea-floor spreading creates new oceanic crust and rift valleys.
20. What is the evidence of sea-floor spreading?
Think about the age of rocks.
The rock samples that are taken closest to the mid-ocean ridge are the youngest and the rock
samples taken farther from the mid-ocean ridge are older.
21.What is subduction and on what type of boundary does subduction occur?
Subduction occurs when one plate is forced below another plate. Subduction occurs along convergent
boundaries.
22. During subduction what plate will sink?
During subduction the plate that has the greatest density will sink.
23. Does subduction occur at a continental-continental convergent boundary?
Why not?
Subduction does not occur at a large rate at continental-continental boundaries because of the
similarities in composition and density. Additionally, the two plates are pushed upwards to form
mountains.
24.What landform is created when two continental crusts collide?
Mountains
25. In every oceanic convergent boundary (continental or oceanic) there will be specific landforms.
List them and describe.
Continental – Oceanic boundary: Trenches, volcanoes, and mountains
Oceanic – Oceanic boundary: Trenches, island arcs, and volcanoes
Continental – Continental: Mountains