Practice Flashcard: FOSS Earth History Investigations 5 & 6 Review

Front

What is basalt?

Back

Basalt is a black igneous rock that forms from the rapid cooling of lava, typically with no visible crystals.

Front

How do igneous rocks form?

Back

Igneous rocks form when molten rock (magma or lava) cools and solidifies. If it cools quickly above ground, it may have small or no crystals; if it cools slowly underground, it may have larger crystals.

Front

What is the Ring of Fire?

Back

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to tectonic plate boundaries.

Front

What causes earthquakes?

Back

Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which can slide past each other, collide, or pull apart.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the cycle of moving material caused by the rise of less-dense material and the sinking of denser material, often seen in fluids.

Front

What is the significance of crystal size in rocks?

Back

The size of crystals in a rock can indicate how quickly the rock cooled; larger crystals suggest slow cooling, while smaller crystals suggest rapid cooling.

Front

What is tectonic plate movement?

Back

Tectonic plate movement refers to the shifting of the Earth's lithosphere, which can lead to geological events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Front

What is metamorphism?

Back

Metamorphism is the process by which existing rocks are transformed by heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids, resulting in new rock types.

Front

What is the difference between magma and lava?

Back

Magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface, while lava is magma that has reached the surface.

Front

What is the role of pressure in rock formation?

Back

Pressure can cause rocks to change their structure and composition, leading to the formation of metamorphic rocks.