Layers + Tectonic plates Flashcards
What are the Mechanical layers of the Earth?
Lithosphere Asthenosphere, Mesosphere, Outer Core, Inner Core
What are the compositional layers of the Earth?
Crust, Mantle, Core
Continental crust
Thicker but less dense, where we live
Oceanic Crust
Thinner but denser, will sub duct under continental crust and younger ocean crust
Lithosphere
Includes all crust and upper mantle (remember there are two layers of crust
Aesthenosphere
Sludgy, like oobleck or toothpaste.
Outer Core
Liquid
Inner Core
Solid, Made up of mostly iron, some nickle
What are the two seismic waves?
P + S
P waves are
Primary
P waves
go through all mediums
p waves
move longitudinally
p waves
faster than s - waves
P waves
Bend when moving between layers
P waves
40 degree Small shadow zone
S-waves
secondary waves
s waves
shear waves
S waves
Cannot go through liquids, so they stop at the outer core
S-waves
move transversely
S waves
slower than p - waves
S waves
cause more damage
s waves
104 degree shadow zone and around
What does studying seismic waves help us with?
Learn about the interior of the earth
Who discovered continental drift
Alfred Wegner