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History of Oceanography
n/a
26
Geology
Undergraduate 1
07/07/2011

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Earth's internal structure
Definition
Defined by by chemical composition and physical properties
Term
Earth's layers
Definition
Defined by Crust, Mantle, and Core
Term
Four main layers of Earth
Definition
Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Mesosphere, Core
Term
Continental Lithosphere
Definition
 thick, dense; made up of continental crust and mantle
Term
Continental Crust
Definition
less dense than oceanic crust
Term
Oceanic Lithosphere
Definition
made of thin oceanic crust and mantle
Term
Evidence that supports Continental Drift
Definition
  • Outlines of the continents
  • Evidence of ancient climates
  • Fossil distributions
  • Distribution of mountain ranges   and rock types (geology)
Term
Objections against Continental Drift
Definition
  • No mechanism capable of moving continents
  • Wegner suggested they broke through Oceaninc crust
Term
Earth's Lithosphere
Definition
Composed of relatively rigid plates
Term
Plate tectonics move around the globe
Definition
  • Change size and shape
  • Number of plates change through geologic time
Term
Plate movement
Definition
Driven by heat flow from the mantle
Term
Plate Boundaries
Definition
Most active crustal processes
Term
Number of Major plates
Definition

7

Term
Major Plates
Definition
Are in motion and continually interact with one another
Term
Some Major Plates are...
Definition
Oceanic or an entire continent plus a seafloor
Term
Plate Boundaries
Definition
major interactions between plates occur along their boundaries
Term
Divergent Plate Boundaries
Definition
Constructive margins
Term
Transform-fault Boundaries
Definition
Conservative margins; slide past one another, no new lithosphere created
Term
Convergent Plate Boundaries
Definition
  • Destructive Margins
  • Subduction occurs
  • Results is the collision of continental blocks
Term
Oceanic Ridges and Sea-floor Spreading
Definition
Divergent Plate Boundaries
Term
Oceanic Ridges
Definition
elevated seafloor along divergent plate boundary
Term
Sea-floor Spreading
Definition
Occurs along oceanic ridge system
Term
Subduction
Definition
Downgoing, lithosphere plate
Term
Driving Forces of Plate Tectonics
Definition
  • Earth's internal heat
  • Gravity
Term
Deep Ocean Basins: Trenches
Definition
  • Base of slope along active margins
  • Lowest elevation on Earth
  • traps sediment
Term
Seamounts
Definition
  • steep sided volcanoes
  • not above sea level
  • built by volcanism by ridge/hotspot
  • subside due to cooling
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