Earth's Structure

Front

Describe the inner core of Earth.

Back

It is made mostly of iron & nickel. It is extremely hot (over 6000 degrees Celsius). Because of the extreme pressures, the iron & nickel do not melt and this layer is believed to be solid.

Front

Describe the mantle.

Back

It is a solid rocky layer, but is at such high temperatures and pressures that it is described much like warm wax.

Front

What is erosion?

Back

As rock is weathered, and because the pieces of rock are lighter and smaller, the pieces are more easily moved, often by rain, wind, and running water (as in a river) in a process called erosion.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

Two plates sliding past one another.

Front

What is deposition?

Back

The process by which material is deposited or laid down in a new place.

Front

What are Sedimentary rocks?

Back

Sediments are compacted into layers and are compressed and cemented together into rocks.

Front

What is a convergent boundary?

Back

A convergent boundary occurs when two plates come together.

Front

What are Metamorphic rocks?

Back

As the heat and pressure increases, metamorphic changes occur and the sedimentary rock is changed to metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rock can occur when rock is heated, but not melted.

Front

What are Igneous rocks?

Back

In volcanic eruptions, magma (from the mantle) or molten rock spews from volcanoes as lava and is cooled on Earth’s surfaces. The cooled magma is called igneous rock.

Front

When plates move away from one another, this results in-

Back

A divergent plate boundary.