Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Ali's class > science > Flashcards

science Flashcards

(71 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the two types of Earth’s crust?

A

Continental crust and oceanic crust

Continental crust makes up landmasses such as Asia, North America, and Europe, while oceanic crust is found on the ocean floor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the term ‘stress’ refer to in geology?

A

The push-and-pull action affecting the crust

Stress causes changes in the shape and volume of rocks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How does stress affect rocks?

A

Rocks may become compressed or stretched

Compression reduces volume, while stretching increases volume.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a fault?

A

A surface where rocks break or tear apart

Faults are a result of stress acting on the rocks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What typically happens to rocks under stress?

A

They change shape and volume

Rocks can twist, tear apart, or become compressed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Fill in the blank: Oceanic crust is usually _______ than continental crust.

A

thinner

This difference in thickness is due to their respective compositions and locations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

True or False: The Earth’s crust is static and does not change over time.

A

False

The crust constantly changes shape due to stress and geological processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What types of landforms can faults create?

A

Features such as mountains, valleys, and earthquakes

Faults can lead to significant geological changes in the landscape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the main components of continental crust?

A

Landmasses, including continents like Asia, North America, and Europe

Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happens to the volume of a rock when it is compressed?

A

It becomes smaller

Compression leads to a decrease in the volume of the rock.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the significance of identifying faults in geology?

A

They indicate areas of potential earthquakes and geological activity

Understanding faults helps in assessing natural disaster risks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a fault?

A

Fractures in rocks along which movement has occurred

Faults can be small or large, with displacements of hundreds of kilometers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How can faults be compared to everyday objects?

A

Similar to cracks in a sidewalk or the foundation of a house

This analogy illustrates the zones of weakness where earthquakes can occur.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What typically causes most earthquakes?

A

Forces associated with plate tectonics

Earthquakes often occur where Earth’s crust has ruptured and may move again.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What experiment can demonstrate how faults work?

A

Pressing hands on a paper towel and moving them in opposite directions

This simulates the tearing of a fault.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a fault scarp?

A

A change in the elevation of the land surface across a fault

It indicates the displacement of land due to fault movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the two blocks of rock in a fault called?

A

Hanging wall and foot wall

The hanging wall is above the fault, while the foot wall is below.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What happens to the ground during an earthquake?

A

The ground may crack, rise, or lower

This deformation can be observed in the aftermath of significant earthquakes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the fault plane?

A

The surface along which the slip or movement occurs during an earthquake

It is a critical feature in understanding fault mechanics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

True or False: All earthquakes occur at places where faults have previously existed.

A

False

Earthquakes can also occur where faults form for the first time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What can vary among different types of faults?

A

Size, orientation, and styles of rock deformation

Styles of deformation include compression and extension.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What magnitude was the earthquake that affected Hebgen Lake, Montana in 1959?

A

7.1

This earthquake caused significant geological changes, including the formation of a fault scarp.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is a normal fault?

A

A fault where the hanging wall moves down relative to the foot wall due to tension.

Normal faults occur when stress pulls the rocks apart.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is a reverse fault?
A fault where the hanging wall moves up relative to the foot wall due to compression. ## Footnote Reverse faults are caused by compressive stress.
26
What is a thrust fault?
A special type of reverse fault that is almost horizontal and carries rocks many kilometers from their original position. ## Footnote Thrust faults occur when the hanging wall slides over the foot wall.
27
What characterizes a strike-slip fault?
A fault where one side moves left or right relative to the other side. ## Footnote Strike-slip faults exhibit horizontal movements.
28
What defines active faults?
Structures where there is a displacement and usually produce shallow earthquakes. ## Footnote Active faults can cause significant seismic activity.
29
What defines inactive faults?
Structures that can be identified but do not cause earthquakes. ## Footnote Inactive faults may have been dormant for millions of years.
30
What is the significance of evaluating faults that have large earthquakes only once in thousands of years?
There is a need to evaluate their potential hazards despite their inactivity. ## Footnote Such evaluations are crucial for disaster preparedness.
31
What is the general condition of faults?
Most faults are locked except for a brief abrupt movement during an earthquake rupture. ## Footnote This is due to pressure exerted by the overlying crust.
32
How can inactive faults rupture again?
If stress increases continuously, even faults that have been inactive for thousands of years can rupture again. ## Footnote This highlights the dynamic nature of geological stress.
33
What does the plate tectonics theory explain?
It explains the movement of large slabs of Earth's lithosphere, called plates, which interact and deform nearby rocks. ## Footnote This theory is fundamental to understanding fault mechanics.
34
What are trenches in relation to faults?
The deepest parts of the ocean that represent the boundary of tectonic plates. ## Footnote Trenches are commonly found close to continents or island strings.
35
What is the Philippine Trench?
A trench located in the Pacific Ocean near the Philippines that is associated with active crust and fault creation. ## Footnote It is one of many trenches along the edges of the Pacific Ocean.
36
37
What are active faults?
Faults that can cause earthquakes.
38
What happens to rocks in ocean trenches?
They are pushed down deep into Earth and melted by heat.
39
What occurs when molten rocks rise through the crust?
They produce volcanoes.
40
What is the fate of most molten rocks?
They eventually become part of Earth's mantle.
41
What can stress do to rocks?
It can cause deformation.
42
How do faults affect Earth's surface?
They can create earthquakes and alter the landscape.
43
What is the difference between a foot wall and a hanging wall?
A foot wall is the block of rock that lies below the fault, while a hanging wall is above it.
44
What is a fault line?
A fracture in Earth's crust where movement has occurred.
45
46
What is an earthquake?
An earthquake is the shaking and trembling of Earth that results from the sudden movement of part of Earth's crust.
47
What commonly causes earthquakes?
Most often, earthquakes are caused by slippage along a fault in Earth's crust.
48
What happens to the ground during a severe earthquake?
During a severe earthquake, the ground can rise and fall like waves in the ocean.
49
What is faulting?
Faulting is a break in Earth's crust where energy is released as the rocks break and move.
50
What are tsunamis?
Tsunamis are giant ocean waves caused by earthquakes that occur on the ocean floor.
51
What is the speed of tsunami waves?
Tsunami waves can travel at speeds of 700 km/h to 800 km/h.
52
What is the focus of an earthquake?
The focus is the location of the movement or the source of an earthquake, which can be down to 700 km below the surface.
53
What is the epicenter of an earthquake?
The epicenter is the geographic location on Earth's surface directly above the earthquake focus.
54
What are seismic waves?
Seismic waves are the waves of energy that travel through Earth, generated by the sudden breaking of rock or an explosion.
55
What are the three main types of seismic waves?
The three main types of seismic waves are primary waves (P-waves), secondary waves (S-waves), and surface waves.
56
What is a primary wave (P-wave)?
A P-wave is the fastest seismic wave that pushes and pulls the rocks and can travel through solids and liquids.
57
58
What are the common features of faults and earthquakes?
The focus (or hypocenter) and the epicenter are common features of faults and earthquakes.
59
What is the focus of an earthquake?
The focus is the location where the movement or source of the earthquake begins.
60
What is the epicenter of an earthquake?
The epicenter is the geographic location on Earth's surface directly above the earthquake focus.
61
How deep can earthquake foci occur?
Earthquake foci can occur at depths down to 700 km below the surface.
62
What are seismic waves?
Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by the sudden breaking of rock within Earth or an explosion.
63
What do scientists learn from studying seismic waves?
Scientists learn much about earthquakes and the interior of Earth by studying the propagation of seismic waves.
64
What are the three main types of seismic waves?
The three main types of seismic waves are primary waves, secondary waves, and surface waves.
65
What is a primary wave (P-wave)?
A P-wave is the fastest seismic wave and the first to arrive at a seismic station. It can move through solid rock and fluids.
66
How do P-waves move?
P-waves push and pull the rocks as they move, similar to how sound waves push and pull air.
67
What materials are needed to simulate seismic wave movements?
You will need a tuning fork, pencil, glass of water, small piece of cork, and string.
68
What happens when you strike a tuning fork and place it in water?
You observe vibrations that simulate the movements of seismic waves.
69
Why do animals sometimes react before an earthquake?
Animals, like dogs, can hear the P-waves of an earthquake and may begin barking hysterically just before it hits.
70
71

Ali's class (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions