Opengeology org textbook

Geology 101 Make sure to be able to write out short answers for the following questions: Chap 2- Plate Tectonics 1. Sketch a picture of the Earth’s interior structure inside a triangle. On one side show the compositional layers (core, crust, mantle), and on the other side of the drawing show the physical layers according to their rigidity (inner core, outer core, lower mantle, asthenosphere and lithosphere). Label the drawing with some notes about the composition of the mantle and the core and any important details about the layers in the core. 2. Who is Alfred Wegner? What is the Continental Drift hypothesis; evidence? And explain why Wegener’s theory of continental drift was not originally accepted by geologists of his time? 3. Who is Harry Hess? Describe the process of seafloor spreading; evidence? 4. What is paleomagnetism? Why is it important? 5. A geologist measures the amount of seafloor produced along a MOR (mid-oceanic-ridge) to be 45 km. The oldest crust produced is 4.5 Ma. What is the spreading rate of the MOR in cm/yr. (use the RATE equation) 6. Why does oceanic crust subduct while continental crust does not ever subduct? 7. Briefly explain how magnetic patterns on the seafloor support Plate Tectonic theory. 8. List and briefly describe eight different pieces of evidence that support the theory of plate tectonics. 9. Be able to draw an ocean-continent convergent plate boundary in detail. Details required: show the layers of the Earth involved and label them with their name (oceanic crust, continental crust, mantle, lithosphere/plate, asthenosphere), arrows showing motion of the plates, the trench, the volcanic arc, and where melting occurs, and how it forms. 10. Be able to draw a divergent plate boundary in detail. Details required: show the layers of the Earth involved and label them with their name (crust, mantle, lithosphere/plate, asthenosphere), arrows showing motion of the plates, the rift valley, and where melting occurs along with how it forms. 11. Understand and know to recognize transform plate boundaries. ...