The Big Bang Theory
The theory that the universe
expanded from an extremely
dense and hot explosion and
continues to expand today.
Convergent Boundary
A place where two
plates move into each
other.
Divergent Boundary
A place where two
plates are dividing or
moving away from each
other.
How are sedimentary
rocks formed?
Formed from weathered
igneous and metamorphic
rocks that are compacted and
cemented together!
Usually layers can be seen.
How do metamorphic
rocks form?
Formed within the Earth...
rocks that change under an
extreme amount of heat and
pressure. These rocks are
usually very dense rocks.
How do scientists know
what the center of the
Earth looks like if we
have never been there?
By studying earthquake waves
as they make their way
through the Earth, scientists
are able to make detailed
maps of the Earth's interior.
How does radioactive
decay (isotopes), help to
heat the center of the
Earth.
The Earth's core is additionally
heated by the breaking down
of isotopes into radioactive
material which helps to keep
the core very hot.
How does the
continental crust differ
from the oceanic crust?
Continental is thicker
but less dense than
Oceanic crust is thinner
but denser.
Seismographs
These are instruments
that detect and record
earthquakes.
The Solar Nebula
Theory
The theory that the Solar
System developed out of
an interstellar cloud of
dust and gas.
Subduction Zone
The subduction zone is the place
where two tectonic plates come
together, one riding over the other.
Most volcanoes on land occur
parallel to and form along the
boundary between the two plates.
This type of volcano has
gentle slopes, mild
eruptions and very fluid
lava with low viscosity.
Shield Volcano
This type of volcano has steep
slopes, mild and violent
eruptions and is made up of
alternating layers of lava and
cinders.
Composite Volcano
This type of volcano has very steep
slopes. It's eruptions are very
violent and explosive but are short
lived. Large amounts of ash and
lava are thrown out during
eruptions.
Cinder Cone
This volcanic danger
kills most people in
third world countries.
Volcanic Ash
Transform fault
A place where two plates
are sliding past one
another. Ex. San Andres
Fault in CA.
Viscosity
The resistance of an object to
flow. Thick liquids have a
high viscosity where as thin,
runny liquids have a low
viscosity.
We now know that new rock is
created at divergent boundaries
because of seafloor spreading.
So why the Earth's mass is
NOT increasing as a result?
The Earth is very good at
recycling itself. The crust
cannot be create or destroyed
due to the Law of
Conservation of Mass.
Wegener believed that the
continents we know today had
once been part of an earlier
super-continent. What was it
called?
Pangaea
What are 7 pieces of
evidence that supports
Continental Drift
Theory?
1. Continents fit like a puzzle.
2. Similar plant/animal fossils on different
continents.
3. Similar rocks and minerals on different continents.
4. Similar mountain ranges on different continents.
5. Similar coal deposites on different continents.
6.Similar glacial deposites on different continents.
7. Magnetic Orientation of the rocks on the ocean
floor.
What are Fossil Fuels?
Fuels made from the
remains of dead plants
and animals millions of
years ago.
What are rocks made
from cooled lava are
known as?
Igneous
What are some
examples of Igneous
rocks?
Obsidian, Pumice,
Granite, Gabbro
What are some
examples of nonrenewable energy?
Coal, Oil and Natural
Gas
Soalr, Wind,
What are some
Hydroelectric, Hydrogen
examples of renewable
Fuel, Biomass,
energy?
Geothermal
What are some
examples of
sedimentary rocks?
Limestone,
Conglomerate, Shale,
Sandstone
What are some
Volcanoes, Small
geological (Earth) events Mountains (Andes in SA),
and Deep Oceanic Trenches
that can happen at a
ex. (Marianas Trench)
Convergent boundary?
What are some
geological (Earth) events
that can happen at a
Divergent boundary?
Sea floor spreading,
Mid-oceanic ridges,
Islands and Volcanoes
form.
What are some geological
(Earth) events that can
happen at a Transform
fault boundary?
Small earthquakes,
offsetting, and fault
lines.
What are some
positive global impacts
volcanoes can provide?
Volcanoes create new
land, fertile soil and
clean geothermal
energy.
What are some uses for
metamorphic rocks?
What are some uses of
Igneous rocks?
Used for pool table tops
Carved into statues
Buildings materials (floor tiles
roofing tiles and counter tops)
Jewelry = Diamonds
Road building materials
Gravestones
Creating lasting monuments
Used as an abrasive in polish things.
For trim and decoration in buildings.
Decorative landscape stone.
Jewelry
What are some uses of
sedimentary rocks?
Gypsum is used in drywall.
Sandstone and limestone are
used as building stones.
Limestone is also used for
cement roads.
What are the 3 major
types of volcanoes?
Shield, Composite and
Cinder Cone
What are the 4 major
parts of Earth's
structure?
Crust, mantel, outer
core and inner core.
What are the three
major types of rocks?
Igneous, Metamorphic,
Sedimentary
What are the waves
that travel through the
Earth called?
Seismic waves or
Earthquakes
What are two types of
Earth's crust?
Continental crust and
oceanic crust
What causes Volcanoes
to erupt?
The movement of
Earth's Tectonic plates
causes volcanoes to
erupt.
What happens at a
convergent boundary
with no Subduction?
A continent to continent
collision will occur.
The crust buckles UP and
forms large mountains. Ex.
Himalayas
What happens when the two
different crusts (oceanic and
continental) collide at a
convergent boundary?
Since the Oceanic crust is
more dense it dives beneath
the Continental crust =
SUBDUCTION ZONE
What is a Tsunami?
A series of ocean waves
caused by an erupting
volcano, earthquake or
landslide.
What is another name
for Oil?
Petroleum
What is non-renewable
energy?
Energy that can not be
replenished (made) in a
short period of time.
What is renewable
energy?
Energy that can be
replenished (made) in
a short period of time.
What is the Plate
Tectonic Theory?
This theory explains how the
Earth's surface is broken into
a number of shifting slabs or
plates under the continents
What is the Ring of Fire
and why is it so
dangerous to live there?
The RING OF FIRE occurs around
the edge of the entire PACIFIC
PLATE. The most dangerous
earthquakes, volcanoes and
tsunami's occur here.
What makes some
volcanoes more
dangerous than others?
The amount of silica in the
lava! The more silica in the
lava, the thicker the lava will
be. This means the explosions
will be more virulent.
What state of matter
The center of the Earth
(solid, liquid, and gas) is
is solid Iron (Fe) and
the center of the Earth
Nickel (Ni).
in?
What's a plate
boundary?
A place where two
plates are touching
each other.
What's another name
for natural gas?
Methane
What's causing the
Tectonic Plates to
move all these years?
Convection currents in
the mantel.
What's the Continental
Drift Theory that Alfred
Wegener first proposed
all about?
His theory was believed that
he Earth's continents, relative
to each other, to "drift"
across the ocean floor.
Where do Earthquakes
commonly occur or
happen?
Along plate
boundaries.
Which gas (SO2, CO2,
H2O, or H2S) is
released the most from
volcanoes?
H2O, Water vapor is
released the most from
volcanoes.
Which wave travels
faster, P-waves or Swaves?
P-waves travel faster
than S-waves and in a
different direction.
Why could humans
never dig to the center
of the Earth?
Too much pressure,
heat and radiation.
Why do we need
alternative fuels?
We are running out of fossil
fuels, and we are destroying
ecosystems and our
environment to find more
fossil fuels.
Why is volcanic ash so
dangerous?
It collapses weak
buildings in third world
countries and suffocates
people and animals.