ERTH 111 Study Guide Exam 1 || with 100% Errorless
Solutions.
Name and describe at least three evidences of continental drift. correct answers 1. the distribution
of climate belts
2. the distribution of fossils
3. the orientation of glacial striations
(or sea floor observation)
Name and describe at least three evidences of sea floor spreading. correct answers 1. Mapping
features of the sea floor - mid-ocean ridges, trenches, and sea mounts.
2. Location of earthquakes - along mid-ocean ridges, and trenches.
3. Paleomagnetism
How do these come together to form the theory of Plate tectonics? correct answers It clearly
shows evidence that the Earth is moving by the different directions and what is happening above
and under the ground.
What is special about the plate boundary of the San Andreas Fault. Describe how it came to be.
Describe the relative motion. correct answers The most special part is that it is a transform
boundary. It came to be by a continental-continental transform boundary, creating huge
mountains in the North American Plate. The relative motion is going up and down.
Distinguish among the three types of plate boundaries, and characterize geological features
associated with each. correct answers 1. Convergent- mountains/mid-ocean ridges/volcanism
2. Divergent- rifting/ mid-ocean ridges/
3. Transform-along mid-ocean ridges
Discuss rifting, continental collision, and hot-spot formation, and show where these processes
happen today. correct answers Rifting is where things such as mountains or the sea floor is
spreading away from each other (East African Rift Valley). Continental collision is where big
mountains are formed from the continental-continental convergent boundary (Himalayas). A hot-
spot formation happens when the mantle material comes up through an area that is not going
through a plate boundary causing volcanoes that are not explosive (Hawaii).
Characterize the processes driving plate motion. Draw images of how this affects plate motion.
correct answers All of the different plates on Earth are all moving in different directions from the
Earth's inner core relieving pressure along the continental and oceanic crust that causes the
convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries to move in their own different ways.
Name the main layers of the Earth's interior. correct answers Oceanic/ Continental crust,
lithospheric mantle, Asthenospheric mantle, outer core, inner core
, What is the core composed of? What is the difference between the inner and outer core? correct
answers The core is composed of solid and liquid heat. The outer core is molten while the inner
core is solid.
Describe the nature of of the magnetic field and atmosphere that surround or planet. correct
answers It is constantly moving horizontally and vertically, creating a magnetic field in the space
and earth that allows us to connect to it for many reasons.
List the distinctive interacting realms within the earth system. correct answers It has plastic and
brittle mantle material. There is a strong heat source providing lava.
Distinguish the internal layers of the earth. correct answers inner core, outer core, asthenospheric
mantle, lithospheric mantle, oceanic/continental crust
Explain the relationship between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere, and describe the
difference in how they "flow." correct answers The asthenospheric mantle is closer to the core,
and is like plastic while the lithospheric mantle is closer to the surface of earth and is brittle.
Define what makes a mineral a mineral. correct answers 1. Naturally occurring
2. Formed by geological processes
3. Solid
4. Crystalline
5. Definable by chemical composition
6. Inorganic
What are the three main ways we have discussed of mineral formation. correct answers 1.
Solidification of a melt.
2. Precipitation from a water solution
3. Solid state diffusion
4. Biomineralization
5. Precipitation from a gas
List 9 distinctive physical properties of minerals. correct answers Color, hardness, streak, luster,
crystal habit, cleavage, fracture, magnetism, taste, smell
. What is Mohs scale? What are some commonplace items on the scale correct answers A
relative scale which lists the hardness of 10 common minerals. ex. glass, penny, and fingernail
What is the largest mineral group on earth's crust (ie: which mineral group is most common on
earth.) What are the two elements that are the fundamental building blocks of this group. What
physical property is most affected by the configuration of the bonds of these fundamental
building blocks. correct answers Silica- Feldspar and Quartz
Color and crystalline
. Distinguish between magma and lava, and explain the chemical distinctions among them
(composition and how they cool). Give examples of each type. Discuss the effects on viscosity
Solutions.
Name and describe at least three evidences of continental drift. correct answers 1. the distribution
of climate belts
2. the distribution of fossils
3. the orientation of glacial striations
(or sea floor observation)
Name and describe at least three evidences of sea floor spreading. correct answers 1. Mapping
features of the sea floor - mid-ocean ridges, trenches, and sea mounts.
2. Location of earthquakes - along mid-ocean ridges, and trenches.
3. Paleomagnetism
How do these come together to form the theory of Plate tectonics? correct answers It clearly
shows evidence that the Earth is moving by the different directions and what is happening above
and under the ground.
What is special about the plate boundary of the San Andreas Fault. Describe how it came to be.
Describe the relative motion. correct answers The most special part is that it is a transform
boundary. It came to be by a continental-continental transform boundary, creating huge
mountains in the North American Plate. The relative motion is going up and down.
Distinguish among the three types of plate boundaries, and characterize geological features
associated with each. correct answers 1. Convergent- mountains/mid-ocean ridges/volcanism
2. Divergent- rifting/ mid-ocean ridges/
3. Transform-along mid-ocean ridges
Discuss rifting, continental collision, and hot-spot formation, and show where these processes
happen today. correct answers Rifting is where things such as mountains or the sea floor is
spreading away from each other (East African Rift Valley). Continental collision is where big
mountains are formed from the continental-continental convergent boundary (Himalayas). A hot-
spot formation happens when the mantle material comes up through an area that is not going
through a plate boundary causing volcanoes that are not explosive (Hawaii).
Characterize the processes driving plate motion. Draw images of how this affects plate motion.
correct answers All of the different plates on Earth are all moving in different directions from the
Earth's inner core relieving pressure along the continental and oceanic crust that causes the
convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries to move in their own different ways.
Name the main layers of the Earth's interior. correct answers Oceanic/ Continental crust,
lithospheric mantle, Asthenospheric mantle, outer core, inner core
, What is the core composed of? What is the difference between the inner and outer core? correct
answers The core is composed of solid and liquid heat. The outer core is molten while the inner
core is solid.
Describe the nature of of the magnetic field and atmosphere that surround or planet. correct
answers It is constantly moving horizontally and vertically, creating a magnetic field in the space
and earth that allows us to connect to it for many reasons.
List the distinctive interacting realms within the earth system. correct answers It has plastic and
brittle mantle material. There is a strong heat source providing lava.
Distinguish the internal layers of the earth. correct answers inner core, outer core, asthenospheric
mantle, lithospheric mantle, oceanic/continental crust
Explain the relationship between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere, and describe the
difference in how they "flow." correct answers The asthenospheric mantle is closer to the core,
and is like plastic while the lithospheric mantle is closer to the surface of earth and is brittle.
Define what makes a mineral a mineral. correct answers 1. Naturally occurring
2. Formed by geological processes
3. Solid
4. Crystalline
5. Definable by chemical composition
6. Inorganic
What are the three main ways we have discussed of mineral formation. correct answers 1.
Solidification of a melt.
2. Precipitation from a water solution
3. Solid state diffusion
4. Biomineralization
5. Precipitation from a gas
List 9 distinctive physical properties of minerals. correct answers Color, hardness, streak, luster,
crystal habit, cleavage, fracture, magnetism, taste, smell
. What is Mohs scale? What are some commonplace items on the scale correct answers A
relative scale which lists the hardness of 10 common minerals. ex. glass, penny, and fingernail
What is the largest mineral group on earth's crust (ie: which mineral group is most common on
earth.) What are the two elements that are the fundamental building blocks of this group. What
physical property is most affected by the configuration of the bonds of these fundamental
building blocks. correct answers Silica- Feldspar and Quartz
Color and crystalline
. Distinguish between magma and lava, and explain the chemical distinctions among them
(composition and how they cool). Give examples of each type. Discuss the effects on viscosity
