Structure Of The Earth Flashcards
What are the three main layers of the Earth?
The crust, the mantle, and the core.
True or False: The Earth’s crust is the thickest layer.
False.
Fill in the blank: The outer core is primarily composed of _____ and nickel.
iron
What is the state of matter of the mantle?
Solid, but it behaves like a viscous fluid over long periods.
Which layer of the Earth is responsible for tectonic activity?
The crust.
What is the approximate thickness of the Earth’s crust?
5 to 70 kilometers.
Multiple choice: Which layer is liquid?
Outer core.
What is the core primarily made of?
Iron and nickel.
True or False: The inner core is solid.
True.
What is the transition zone in the Earth?
The area between the upper mantle and the lower mantle.
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the layer of the Earth where most earthquakes occur.
crust
What is the average temperature of the inner core?
About 5,000 to 7,000 degrees Celsius.
Multiple choice: Which layer has the highest density?
Inner core.
What is the lithosphere?
The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
True or False: The asthenosphere is part of the upper mantle.
True.
What is the primary characteristic of the asthenosphere?
It is semi-fluid and allows for the movement of tectonic plates.
Fill in the blank: The Earth’s _____ is responsible for generating the planet’s magnetic field.
outer core
What role do tectonic plates play in the structure of the Earth?
They are segments of the lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.
Multiple choice: Which layer is the thickest?
Mantle.
What is the Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho)?
The boundary between the Earth’s crust and the underlying mantle.
True or False: The mantle is composed mostly of basalt.
False.
What type of rock primarily composes the continental crust?
Granite.
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the layer beneath the lithosphere that flows slowly.
asthenosphere
What is the significance of the geothermal gradient?
It indicates how temperature increases with depth in the Earth.
