Geology Flashcard

Front

What was Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift?

Back

Wegener's hypothesis proposed that continents were once connected and have since drifted apart over geological time.

Front

Why was Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift originally rejected by geologists?

Back

Wegener could not explain how the continents could move through the ocean floor.

Front

What are the two layers that make up the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is made up of the crust and the upper mantle.

Front

How do scientists determine what Earth’s interior looks like?

Back

Scientists use seismic waves to infer the structure of Earth's interior.

Front

What drives mantle convection?

Back

Mantle convection is driven by the heat from the cooling of Earth’s interior and the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Front

What causes stress in Earth’s crust?

Back

Stress in Earth’s crust is caused by plate movements.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, often generated by earthquakes.

Front

What is mantle convection?

Back

Mantle convection is the slow movement of the Earth's mantle caused by heat from the Earth's interior.

Front

What is the significance of the decay of radioactive isotopes in geology?

Back

The decay of radioactive isotopes provides heat that drives mantle convection and influences geological processes.