Check Your Understanding

A vent, or opening in Earth's surface through which molten rock, gases, and ash erupt.

• volcano

• mountain

• hill

• fault

A process that breaks down rocks and boulders, turning them into tiny pieces; it is caused by plants, animals, strong weather, or chemical changes in the air.

• landslide

• weathering

• erosion

• deposition

The placing of broken-down materials such as rocks, sand, or soil in a new place; the broken down material is carried by the wind, water, or ice.

• weathering

• deposition

• landslide

• erosion

A fracture on the Earth’s crust as a result of plate movement.

• plate

• earthquake

• boundary

• fault

A large amount of earth, rock, and other material that moves down a steep slope.

• weathering

• erosion

• landslide

• deposition

A type of crust that has a lower density and is made up of granitic rock.

• continental

• oceanic

• both continental and oceanic

A type of crust that is denser and is made up of basaltic rocks.

• continental

• oceanic

• both continental and oceanic

The only liquid layer of the Earth.

• crust

• mantle

• inner core

• outer core

This layer of the Earth includes the crust and the upper mantle.

• lithosphere

• asthenosphere

• mesosphere

• core

What is basalt made up of?

• feldspar and quartz

• magnesium and iron

• feldspar and iron

• magnesium and quartz