Geo Flashcards
(92 cards)
1
Q
What are the three main types of rocks in the rock cycle?
A
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
2
Q
How are igneous rocks formed?
A
From the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava).
3
Q
What processes can turn sedimentary rocks into metamorphic rocks?
A
Heat and pressure.
4
Q
How are sedimentary rocks formed?
A
From the compaction and cementation of sediments (small pieces of rock, minerals, or organic matter).
5
Q
Can any type of rock become any other type of rock in the rock cycle?
A
Yes, through various geological processes like melting, cooling, weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation, heat, and pressure.
6
Q
Give an example of each of the three main rock types.
A
Igneous: Granite, Basalt; Sedimentary: Sandstone, Limestone; Metamorphic: Marble, Slate.
7
Q
What are the main layers of the Earth?
A
The crust, mantle, and core.
8
Q
What is the outermost layer of the Earth called?
A
The crust.
9
Q
Which layer of the Earth is mostly solid but can flow very slowly over long periods?
A
The mantle.
10
Q
What are the two parts of the Earth’s core?
A
The inner core (solid) and the outer core (liquid).
11
Q
Which layer of the Earth is responsible for generating the Earth’s magnetic field?
A
The outer core.
12
Q
What is the lithosphere made up of?
A
The crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
13
Q
What is a tectonic plate?
A
A large slab of Earth’s lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.
14
Q
Name the three main types of plate boundaries.
A
Convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.
15
Q
What happens at a convergent plate boundary?
A
Plates move towards each other and collide.
16
Q
What happens at a divergent plate boundary?
A
Plates move away from each other.
17
Q
What happens at a transform plate boundary?
A
Plates slide past each other horizontally.
18
Q
Give an example of a landform or event associated with each type of plate boundary.
A
Convergent: Mountains (e.g., Himalayas), volcanoes, earthquakes, ocean trenches; Divergent: Mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, volcanoes; Transform: Earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault).
19
Q
What is an earthquake?
A
A sudden and violent shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
20
Q
Where do most earthquakes occur?
A
Along plate boundaries.
21
Q
What is the point beneath the Earth’s surface where an earthquake originates called?
A
The focus (or hypocenter).
22
Q
What is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus called?
A
The epicenter.
23
Q
What are seismic waves?
A
Vibrations that travel through the Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake.
24
Q
How is the magnitude (strength) of an earthquake often measured?
A
Using the Richter scale or the Moment Magnitude scale.
25
Are earthquakes distributed evenly across the Earth's surface?
No, they are concentrated in specific zones.
26
Which type of plate boundary is most commonly associated with large, destructive earthquakes?
Convergent plate boundaries (especially subduction zones).
27
Why do earthquakes occur at divergent plate boundaries?
As plates pull apart, magma rises and the crust fractures, causing earthquakes.
28
What type of movement at transform plate boundaries causes earthquakes?
The friction and sudden release of stress as plates slide past each other.
29
Name a major earthquake zone that follows plate boundaries around the Pacific Ocean.
The Ring of Fire.
30
Can earthquakes occur away from plate boundaries? If so, why?
Yes, but less frequently. They can be caused by stresses within plates, old fault lines, or human activities.
31
What causes the build-up of stress along fault lines?
The slow and continuous movement of tectonic plates.
32
What happens when the stress along a fault line becomes too great?
The rocks suddenly fracture or slip past each other, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves.
33
What is a fault line?
A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock.
34
What is elastic rebound theory?
The idea that rocks deform elastically under stress, and when the stress exceeds their strength, they rupture and snap back to their original shape, causing an earthquake.
35
What are foreshocks and aftershocks?
Foreshocks are smaller earthquakes that may precede a larger earthquake, while aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow a larger earthquake in the same area.
36
How can scientists monitor the potential for earthquakes?
By studying past earthquake activity, monitoring ground deformation, and measuring stress build-up along faults, although predicting the exact timing and magnitude is still difficult.
37
Name some primary impacts (direct results) of earthquakes.
Ground shaking, ground rupture, landslides, and tsunamis (if the earthquake occurs underwater).
38
What is ground shaking and how can it cause damage?
The vibration of the ground during an earthquake, which can cause buildings to collapse, bridges to fail, and infrastructure to be damaged.
39
What is ground rupture?
The visible breaking and displacement of the Earth's surface along a fault line.
40
How can earthquakes trigger landslides?
The ground shaking can destabilize slopes, causing rock and soil to move downhill.
41
What is a tsunami and how is it generated by an earthquake?
A series of large ocean waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, often triggered by underwater earthquakes that cause the seafloor to uplift or subside.
42
Name some secondary impacts (indirect results) of earthquakes.
Fires, flooding (from damaged dams or tsunamis), disease outbreaks, disruption of transportation and communication, economic losses, and social impacts (displacement, loss of life).
43
What is a volcano?
A vent or fissure in the Earth's surface through which molten rock (magma/lava), ash, and gases erupt.
44
Where are most volcanoes located?
Along plate boundaries, particularly convergent and divergent boundaries, and at hotspots.
45
What is magma and what is lava?
Magma is molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface, while lava is molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth's surface.
46
What are the three main types of volcanoes based on their shape and eruption style?
Shield volcanoes, composite volcanoes (stratovolcanoes), and cinder cone volcanoes.
47
What is a volcanic eruption?
The process by which molten rock, ash, and gases are released from a volcano.
48
What is a hotspot volcano?
A volcano that forms over a stationary plume of hot magma rising from deep within the Earth's mantle, not typically located at a plate boundary (e.g., Hawaiian Islands).
49
Which type of plate boundary is most associated with the formation of composite volcanoes and explosive eruptions?
Convergent plate boundaries (subduction zones).
50
Why do volcanoes form at divergent plate boundaries?
As plates move apart, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity (often less explosive, forming shield volcanoes or mid-ocean ridges).
51
How do volcanoes form at hotspots?
As a tectonic plate moves over a stationary hotspot, a chain of volcanoes can form (e.g., the Hawaiian Island chain).
52
Are volcanoes distributed evenly across the Earth's surface?
No, they are concentrated in specific zones, particularly along plate boundaries like the Ring of Fire.
53
Give an example of a volcanic mountain range formed at a convergent plate boundary.
The Andes Mountains in South America.
54
What type of volcanoes are commonly found along mid-ocean ridges?
Shield volcanoes and fissure eruptions.
55
Describe the shape and eruption style of a shield volcano.
Broad, gently sloping cone formed by the eruption of fluid, basaltic lava flows (less explosive eruptions).
56
Describe the shape and eruption style of a composite volcano (stratovolcano).
Steep-sided, cone-shaped volcano built up by alternating layers of lava flows, ash, and other volcanic debris (often explosive eruptions).
57
Describe the shape and eruption style of a cinder cone volcano.
Small, steep-sided cone made of loose volcanic fragments (cinders or ash) ejected from a single vent (relatively short-lived and less explosive).
58
What type of lava is typically associated with shield volcanoes?
Basaltic lava (low viscosity, flows easily).
59
What type of eruptions are characteristic of composite volcanoes?
Explosive eruptions that release ash, gas, and pyroclastic flows, as well as lava flows.
60
How does the silica content of magma affect the type of volcanic eruption?
Magma with high silica content is more viscous (sticky) and traps gases, leading to explosive eruptions. Magma with low silica content is less viscous and allows gases to escape more easily, resulting in effusive (flowing) eruptions.
61
Name some primary hazards (direct results) of volcanic eruptions.
Lava flows, ash fall, pyroclastic flows, volcanic gases, and lahars.
62
What are lava flows and what type of damage can they cause?
Streams of molten rock that flow down the sides of a volcano, capable of destroying everything in their path by burning and burying it.
63
What is ash fall and what are its impacts?
Fine particles of pulverized rock, minerals, and volcanic glass ejected during an eruption, which can disrupt air travel, damage buildings, contaminate water supplies, and affect agriculture.
64
What are pyroclastic flows and why are they so dangerous?
Fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter (ash, pumice, rock fragments) that can travel at high speeds down the flanks of a volcano, causing widespread destruction and death due to heat and impact.
65
What are some common volcanic gases and why can they be hazardous?
Water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, which can be toxic, cause respiratory problems, and contribute to acid rain.
66
What are lahars?
Dangerous mudflows composed of volcanic ash, debris, and water that can travel rapidly down river valleys, burying and destroying everything in their path.
67
How can volcanic eruptions cause tsunamis?
Underwater volcanic eruptions or landslides caused by volcanic activity can displace large volumes of water, generating tsunami waves.
68
Are volcanic tsunamis as common as earthquake-generated tsunamis?
No, they are less frequent but can still be very dangerous.
69
What are some signs that a volcanic eruption might cause a tsunami?
Large underwater explosions, significant caldera collapse, or large landslides entering the ocean.
70
How do tsunami waves behave as they approach shallow water?
Their speed decreases, their height increases significantly, and the wave interval shortens.
71
What are some impacts of volcanic tsunamis on coastal areas?
Flooding, destruction of buildings and infrastructure, erosion, loss of life, and contamination of water supplies.
72
What are some ways to mitigate the risks of volcanic tsunamis?
Monitoring volcanic activity, developing early warning systems, educating coastal communities, and establishing evacuation plans.
73
What is the most common definition of sustainability?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
74
What are the three pillars or dimensions of sustainability?
Environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
75
What does environmental sustainability focus on?
Protecting and conserving natural resources and ecosystems to minimize environmental degradation.
76
What does social sustainability focus on?
Ensuring social equity, justice, and well-being for all people.
77
What does economic sustainability focus on?
Promoting economic growth and development in a way that does not deplete natural resources or harm the environment.
78
Why is it important to consider all three pillars of sustainability?
Because they are interconnected and interdependent; progress in one area should not come at the expense of another.
79
What is poverty?
A state of lacking the resources or means necessary to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and healthcare.
80
What does LIDC stand for and what are some characteristics of LIDCs?
Low-Income Developing Country. Characteristics include low GNI per capita, high levels of poverty, limited access to basic services, high birth rates, and reliance on primary industries.
81
What does EDC stand for and what are some characteristics of EDCs?
Emerging and Developing Country. Characteristics include increasing GNI per capita, growing industrialization, improving infrastructure, and a transition from primary to secondary and tertiary industries.
82
What does AC stand for and what are some characteristics of ACs?
Advanced Country. Characteristics include high GNI per capita, well-developed infrastructure, high levels of industrialization and service industries, and good access to education and healthcare.
83
What are some limitations of classifying countries using the LIDC, EDC, AC system?
It can oversimplify complex realities, mask inequalities within countries, and the categories are not always clear-cut or static.
84
What is Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and why is it used to classify countries?
The total income earned by a country's residents, divided by the total population. It is used as an indicator of a country's economic development level.
85
What is life expectancy?
The average number of years a person is expected to live from birth, usually calculated for a specific population.
86
How does the level of economic development (LIDC, EDC, AC) generally correlate with life expectancy?
Life expectancy is generally lower in LIDCs and higher in ACs, with EDCs typically falling in between.
87
What are some factors that can influence life expectancy in a country?
Access to healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, clean water, education, income levels, and prevalence of disease.
88
How can poor health impact a country's economic development?
It can lead to reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, lower educational attainment, and a cycle of poverty.
89
What are some common diseases that have a significant impact on life expectancy in some LIDCs?
Malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, and respiratory infections.
90
How can improving access to clean water and sanitation affect public health and life expectancy?
It can significantly reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, leading to improved health outcomes and increased life expectancy.
91
What is ocean plastic pollution?
The presence of plastic waste in the marine environment, ranging from large debris to microplastics.
92
Where does most of the plastic pollution in the ocean come from?
Land.
