Unit 4 - Earth Systems

Question 1

Core

Answer 1

Dense mass of nickel, iron, and radioactive elements that release massive amounts of heat.

Question 2

Mantle

Answer 2

Bulk of Earth’s interior; three layers: magma, asthenosphere, and lithosphere.

Question 3

Magma

Answer 3

(Molten rock) layer that slowly circulates due to heat from the core.

Question 4

Asthenosphere

Answer 4

Semi-molten, flexible outer layer of mantle, beneath the lithosphere.

Question 5

Lithosphere

Answer 5

Thin, brittle layer of rock floating on top of the mantle (broken up into tectonic plates.

Question 6

Crust

Answer 6

Very outer layer of the lithosphere, Earth’s surface.

Question 7

Divergent Plate Boundary

Answer 7

Plates move away from each other.
- Rising magma plume from mantle forces plates apart.
- Forms mid-oceanic ridges, volcanoes, seafloor spreading, and rift valleys (on land).

Question 8

Convergent Plate Boundary

Answer 8

Plates move towards each other.
- Leads to subduction
- Forms mountains, island arcs, and volcanos.

Question 9

Subduction

Answer 9

One tectonic plate being forced beneath another.

Question 10

Transform Fault Plate Boundary

Answer 10

Plates slide sideways past each other (earthquakes).
- Forms faults.

Question 11

Faults

Answer 11

Fracture in rock.
- AKA a fault line & transform faults
- Likely location of earthquake.

Question 12

Earthquakes

Answer 12

Occurs when rough edges of plates get stuck on each other during transform plate boundary.
- Pressure builds as the edges get caught, when the plates suddenly release, energy is released and shakes the lithosphere.

Question 13

Ring of Fire

Answer 13

Pattern of volcanoes & earthquakes zones all around the pacific plate.

Question 14

Hotspots

Answer 14

Areas of especially hot magma rising up to the lithosphere.
- Mid-oceanic Islands (ex: Hawaii).

Question 15

Climate

Answer 15

Largely determined by insolation (latitude
-> angle of insolation and atmosphere)
- Higher latitude receive less insolation
- Equator receives most intense insolation = higher temp, air rises, high precipitation

Question 16

Mountains effect on Climate

Answer 16

Disrupt wind and produce rain shadow effect.

Question 17

Oceans effect on Climate

Answer 17

Moderate temperature and add moisture to the air.

Question 18

Rain Shadows

Answer 18

Warm, moist air from ocean hits the “windward” side of the mountain, rises, cools (condensing H2O vapor and causing rain) lush, green vegetation.
- Dry air descends downwards and warms as it sinks.
- Leads to arid (dry) desert conditions.