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Unit 10 possible questions
chapters 1,2,9, and most of book
35
Geology
Undergraduate 1
04/06/2009

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Term
What interrelationships do plate tectonics explain?
Definition
volcanoes, earthquakes, climate, mountains and even evolution
Term
what was basically proven (geologically) with the 1860's lying of the transatlantic telegraph cable?
Definition
that there is a mountain range in the middle of the atlantic ocean.
Term
Alfred Wegener was famous for proposing which scientific theory?
Definition
Continental drift
Term
What was "Pangea"
Definition
the last ancient super continent that included all of today's major continental land masses.
Term
Which two widely-seperated mountain ranges formed a single range, millions of years ago?
Definition
Appalachians,European caledonian mountains
Term
which geologic feature suggest that there was a continental glacier in souther pangaea?
Definition
we had glacial striations
Term
Define biodiversity.
Definition
similar plant and animal species that are seperated by a water but on islands next to landmass are similar but if fart away they are different.
Term
Why was the Theory of Continental Drift rejected?
Definition
there was no acceptable method to move the continents
Term
Define Lithosphere.
Definition
a solid, strong and somewhat rigid outer layer that includes the both oceanic rocks and the continental rocks with a thin layer of mantle rock material. this is frozen onto both of the upper visible crusts
Term
Define Asthenosphere.
Definition
a plastic-like zone of partially-melted upper mantle rocks.
Term
Define Lower Mantle.
Definition
the rocky zone between the asthenosphere and the liquid outer iron core.
Term
Describe the transfer of Earth's internal heat. what is it mostly generated from?
Definition
it is transferred from the core, through the mantle, to the asthenosphere; radioactive decay
Term
What are the two components when dealing with the core.
Definition
liquid outer iron core, solid iron core
Term
what is liquid outer iron core?
Definition
a mass of liquid iron with minor amounts of other metals and rocks
Term
what is the solid iron core?
Definition
there are lots of theories as to the exact chemical composition of Earth's solid iron core.
Term
How thick is the solid iron core?
Definition
720 miles thick
Term
What effect does earth's magnetic shield have on our planet's life?
Definition
if we did not have, we would dissappear within a year ( die )
Term
What "poles" does earth's magnetic field create?
Definition
Magnetic North pole, Magnetic South pole
Term
what visible evidence (in the sky) is there for Earth's magnetic shield?
Definition
The northern lights; Aurora Borealis
Term
Describe what happens to a magnetite grain when it cools within a basaltic magma.
Definition
They can allign themselves with the north and south magnetic poles.
Term
Define Paleomagnetism and why is it an important geologic tool?
Definition
the study of ancient magnetic fields, gave supporting evidence that the continents have moved over time.
Term
What is a magnetic reversal and when may it occur again?
Definition
a 180 reversal of the polarity of EArth's magnetic fields( north becomes south) ; any time
Term
What is the name and depth of the deepest submarine trench?
Definition
Marina Trench, 38,000 feet (7 miles)
Term
What theory did H.H. Hess propose in 1960?
Definition
Seafloor Spreading
Term
According to Dr. Hess, how often would all of the ocean crust be regenerated?
Definition
ever 200 million years
Term
Why is it that we no longer use the term "continental drift"?
Definition
because all the continents are attached to lithosphere plates which is composed of both oceanic crust; continental crust
Term
Name a famous American rift zone developed under a Texas bordering river.
Definition
Rio GRande Rift
Term
What are the three types of convergent plate boundaries?
Definition
OCEANIC CRUST being subducted beneath OCEANIC CRUST; OCEANIC CRUST being subducted beneath CONTINENTAL CRUST; when both plates composed of CONTINENTAL CRUST collide
Term
What are island arcs?
Definition
chains of volcanic islands found on top of the ocean plate that is not being subducted at the convergent zone.
Term
What is an accreted terrain?
Definition
seafloor, island arcs and ocean sediment that is "scraped off" onto a continent as the oceanic crust is being subducted into the mantle.
Term
what happens when two continental plates collide?
Definition
one plate or crust must override another; oceaqnic crust must always go under
Term
Name at least two famous mountain ranges caused by two continental plates colliding
Definition
Appalachian and Himalayn mountains
Term
What is the basic premise of the Passive Plate theory?
Definition
the convection of heat from the core and mantle drives plate movement
Term
What is the basic premise of the Slab Pull theory?
Definition
Oceanic slabs sink into the mantle under its own weight (density)
Term
what is meant by the super-continent cycle?
Definition
that approximately every 500 million years, most of earth's plates collide together to form a massive continent.
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