Interior Of Earth Study Guide

Front

What is a convection current?

Back

A convection current is the movement of fluid (liquid or gas) caused by the uneven heating of the fluid, resulting in warmer, less dense areas rising and cooler, denser areas sinking.

Front

What causes the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

Back

The movement of Earth's tectonic plates is caused by convection currents in the Earth's mantle, which are generated by heat from the Earth's core.

Front

What is the outer core of the Earth?

Back

The outer core is a liquid layer composed mainly of iron and nickel, located beneath the mantle and above the inner core.

Front

What evidence suggests that the outer core is liquid?

Back

The absence of S waves (shear waves) detected through the outer core indicates that it is in a liquid state, as S waves cannot travel through liquids.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer of the mantle located beneath the lithosphere, allowing tectonic plates to move.

Front

How do the lithosphere and asthenosphere differ?

Back

The lithosphere is rigid and solid, while the asthenosphere is semi-fluid and can flow slowly.

Front

What is the role of heat in plate tectonics?

Back

Heat from the Earth's interior creates convection currents in the mantle, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are energy waves that travel through the Earth, generated by earthquakes or other geological activity.

Front

What are S waves?

Back

S waves (shear waves) are a type of seismic wave that can only travel through solids and are not detected in the outer core.