Minerals and Rocks in the Geosphere Test Review

What characteristic of the outer core makes it unique among the layers of Earth? 

• The outer core is liquid due to intense heat. 

  
  

• The outer core is the coolest layer of Earth.

• The outer core is made of solid iron, giving it a lot of rigidity.

• The outer core is able to flow, even though it is made of rock.

What is the source of energy that drives Earth's plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions?

• tidal energy from Earth's oceans

• heat energy from Earth's molten layers

• magnetic energy from Earth's magnetic field

• light energy from the Sun that reaches Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

 If new crust did not take the place of the old, Earth’s surface would be covered with large fissures.

How is new crust formed to prevent the formation of these fissures?

• New crust is formed from the crumbling of the lithospheric plates as they move across the mantle. 

  
  

• The mesospheric convection cells push cooler, denser material up to the surface, which forms the new crust layers.

• Convection currents within the hot convecting mantle cause molten rock to rise, filling in the rift and creating new crust.

• Lava from oceanic volcanoes fills in the fissures out at sea to form new crust. 

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

All except one of the following statements explains how the activity in Earth's layers results in changes on the surface. Which of these statements contains a misconception?

• In subduction zones, parts of the lithosphere are being melted, creating magma from parts of the crust. 

  
  

• The islands are forming over a spot in Earth's crust where the hot, liquid metallic core is relatively close to the surface.

• As the hot, convecting mantle moves, it carries the crust above with it, creating a chain of volcanic islands in the direction of of the movement. 

  
  

• The height of the islands declines with the loss of pressure from the relocated hot spot and weathering, and the oldest islands can sink below sea level. 

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which most accurately describes how a layer of Earth can move to form new land?

• As the crust moves, it forces the mantle down toward the outer core, creating new land.

• As the inner core moves, large pieces of land are carried out to sea, which form new land.

• As the mantle moves, it spreads, cools, and falls, forming new material that develops new land.

• As the outer core moves, it pulls the inner core along with it, forcing it upward to form new land.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of these subsurface events is the most important in causing geysers?

• the movement of plates within the lithosphere

• the composition of the rock within the lithosphere

• the circulation of the material in the mantle from convection

• the movement of magma from the mantle into an isolated spot in the crust

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

 In which layer of Earth are the convection currents that directly result in tectonic plate motion found?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

If you were making a model of Earth to show features and properties of the layers what should you add to your model?

• It should only include the crust, mantel, and the core.

• It only needs to show the flow of heat within the layers of Earth.

• It model should include the elements that make up the Earth’s interior.

• It should include the layers, elemental composition, state of matter, temperature, pressure, and various other features.

Why do earthquakes change speed as the waves move from the upper mantle of Earth to its crust?

• The upper mantle and the crust have different ages.

• The upper mantle and the crust have different masses.

• The upper mantle and the crust have different densities.

• The upper mantle and the crust have different energy sums.

How do temperature and pressure change as the depth of the geosphere increases?

• temperature and pressure decrease.

• temperature and pressure increase.

• temperature decreases, and pressure increases.

• temperature increases, and pressure decreases