Astronomy Today, 8e (Chaisson/McMillan)

Chapter 7 Earth: Our Home in Space

7.1 True/False Questions

1) The hydrosphere covers about 50% of the Earth's crust.

Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.1

2) Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere trap just enough heat to keep the Earth's oceans liquid.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

3) The continuing rise in the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere should cause our surface
temperatures to rise.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

4) The ozone layer lies at the boundary of the stratosphere and mesosphere.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

5) The three most abundant gases in our atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

6) Almost all the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is unique among the planets in our solar system.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

7) Infrared radiation is trapped close to our surface by the Greenhouse Effect.

Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

8) The most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere is oxygen.

Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

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9) The ozone layer blocks much of the Sun's visible radiation.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

10) The hydrosphere accounts in large part for the fact that our atmosphere in thinner than
Venus' and contains far less carbon dioxide.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.2

11) The speed of the current warming trend is no different than those seen in fossil records.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Section Ref: Discovery 7-1

12) Seismic S-waves can travel through Earth's liquid outer core.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

13) Seismic P-waves can travel through both solid and liquid materials.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

14) The energy for plate tectonics comes primarily from radioactive decay in our core.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

15) Collisions between low density continental plates create the tallest mountain chains, such as
the Himalayas.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.4

16) In the past, most of the landmass on Earth was concentrated in a single, large continent.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.4

17) When plates collide, they fuse together and come to rest.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

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18) Subduction of higher density oceanic plates under the continents not only creates deep
trenches but also tall volcanic chains ashore as well.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

19) Trenches are areas where the denser oceanic plates are subducted beneath the leading edges
of lighter continental ones.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

20) We find from igneous rock dating that the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field has
undergone many unexplained changes in periods of thousands of years.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

21) The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the largest tectonic feature on our planet.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.8

7.2 Multiple-Choice Questions

1) The crust of the Earth is covered by about ________ water in the hydrosphere.
A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%
E) 90%
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.1

2) Which of the following layers of the Earth is unique among the terrestrial planets?
A) hydrosphere
B) ionosphere
C) mantle
D) crust
E) core
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.1

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3) Compared to the density of water, our Earth averages about:
A) the same density, similar to Saturn.
B) 3 times denser, much like our Moon.
C) 4 times denser, similar to Mars.
D) 5 times denser, like the Mercury and Venus.
E) 10 times denser, due to our core of iron and nickel.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.1

4) The relative size of the atmosphere layer as compared to the solid part of Earth is most similar
to:
A) the peel of an orange as compared to the meat of the orange.
B) the rind of a watermelon as compared to the meat of the watermelon.
C) the skin of a grape as compared to the meat of the grape.
D) the meat of a peach as compared to the pit of the peach.
E) the meat of a cherry as compared to the pit of the cherry.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.1

5) What can we conclude about the structure of Earth's interior knowing that the average density
of Earth is higher than the average density of the rock on the continents and seafloor?
A) that Earth's most dense material must be water
B) that Earth's most dense material must be the seafloor and the continents
C) that Earth's most dense material must be beneath the surface
D) that Earth's least dense material must be the seafloor and the continents
E) that Earth's least dense material must be beneath the surface
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.1

6) From the center outward, the correct order is:

A) liquid iron inner core, solid nickel outer core, rocky mantle, silicate crust.
B) solid metallic inner core, molten metal outer core, silicate mantle and crust.
C) solid metal core, molten metal hydrosphere, rocky lithosphere, gases in atmosphere.
D) solid rock core, liquid metal mantle, solid rock crust.
E) molten metal hydrosphere, molten rock lithosphere, solid silicate crust.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.1

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7) The relative size of the mantle of Earth compared to the solid inner core of Earth is most
similar to:
A) the peel of an orange as compared to the meat of the orange.
B) the rind of a watermelon as compared to the meat of the watermelon.
C) the skin of a grape as compared to the meat of the grape.
D) the meat of a peach as compared to the pit of the peach.
E) the meat of a cherry as compared to the pit of the cherry.
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.1

8) Without the Greenhouse Effect operating in our atmosphere,

A) we would not have to worry about any warming problems in the future.
B) Earth would have an average temperature of -23 degrees Celsius.
C) the ice in the polar regions would have melted long ago.
D) the ozone layer would not be weakening.
E) the Earth would have become much more like Venus long ago.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

9) How is the existence of Earth's unique atmosphere explained?

A) The oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is a result of early life on Earth.
B) Volcanic gases containing nitrogen were outgassed from Earth's interior.
C) As Earth cooled, water vapor fell out of the atmosphere to form the oceans.
D) Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun freed the hydrogen, allowing it to escape.
E) When Earth formed, its atmosphere formed from the gases most common in the early solar
system.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

10) What gas is the primary constituent of our atmosphere?

A) oxygen
B) carbon dioxide
C) nitrogen
D) hydrogen
E) helium
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

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11) Which major atmospheric component is chiefly a product of life processes?
A) carbon dioxide
B) water
C) oxygen
D) hydrogen sulfide
E) nitrogen
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

12) The critical part of the atmosphere for protecting life on the ground from excessive
ultraviolet radiation is the:
A) hydrosphere.
B) troposphere.
C) ozone layer.
D) stratosphere.
E) ionosphere.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

13) In what part of our atmosphere do we live?

A) troposphere
B) stratosphere
C) mesosphere
D) ionosphere
E) exosphere
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

14) Which parts of the Sun's radiation are responsible for heating Earth's surface?
A) the radio and the ultraviolet
B) the X-ray and the gamma ray
C) the ultraviolet and the visible
D) the visible and the infrared
E) the infrared and the high energy particles
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

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15) What is the process that physically transfers heat from a lower (hotter) to a higher (cooler)
level?
A) radiation
B) translation
C) convection
D) reflection
E) conduction
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

16) Which of these gases are outgassed from our volcanic eruptions?
A) oxygen, methane, ammonia
B) carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen
C) ammonia, water vapor, oxygen
D) water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide
E) helium, carbon dioxide, methane
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

17) Above about 100 km, the high-energy portion of the Sun's radiation spectrum breaks down
molecules into atoms. What is this part of Earth's atmosphere called?
A) the troposphere
B) the stratosphere
C) the mesosphere
D) the ionosphere
E) the magnetosphere
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

18) What is the hole in the ozone layer thought to be caused by?
A) greenhouse gases
B) carbon dioxide
C) water vapor
D) CFCs
E) acid rain
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

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19) The principal greenhouse gases in our present atmosphere are:
A) hydrogen and helium.
B) hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide.
C) water vapor and carbon dioxide.
D) methane and ammonia.
E) sulfuric acid vapor and carbon dioxide.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

20) Almost all of our atmospheric gases lie in the:

A) ionosphere.
B) stratosphere.
C) troposphere.
D) ozone layer.
E) mesosphere.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

21) The Greenhouse Effect works by trapping:

A) incoming ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
B) outgoing ultraviolet radiation from the Earth.
C) incoming infrared radiation from the Sun.
D) outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth.
E) the heat from the Sun in Earth's atmosphere.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

22) Clouds form primarily at the boundary between:

A) the stratosphere and the mesosphere.
B) the mesosphere and the ionosphere.
C) the troposphere and the mesosphere.
D) the troposphere and the stratosphere.
E) the hydrosphere and the troposphere.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

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23) What is the percentage of Earth's atmosphere (by volume) that is carbon dioxide (CO2)?
A) 78
B) 21
C) 3
D) 0.9
E) 0.03
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

24) Within Earth's atmosphere the ozone layer is located:

A) in the troposphere.
B) between the troposphere and the stratosphere.
C) in the stratosphere.
D) between the stratosphere and the mesosphere.
E) in the mesosphere.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

25) Within Earth's atmosphere, in which layer does convection occur?

A) the troposphere
B) the stratosphere
C) the mesosphere
D) the ionosphere
E) Convection occurs in all layers of Earth's atmosphere.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

26) When water vapor condenses out at the cool tops of convection cells, what happens?
A) It rains.
B) It snows.
C) Clouds form.
D) A hurricane forms.
E) A tropical depression forms.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.2

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27) Which are places on Earth where convection is operating on a grand scale, creating
conditions important to life on Earth?
A) in the mantle
B) in hot springs like Old Faithful
C) in the troposphere, such as a summer thunderstorm
D) at the thermal vents in the rift valleys
E) All of the above are good examples.
Answer: E
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.2, 7.4

28) In what scenario is the blue component of incoming sunlight is scattered much more than any
other color component?
A) when the Sun is setting
B) when the Sun is high in the sky
C) when the Sun is rising
D) during the night time
E) during a solar eclipse
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section Ref: More Precisely 7-1

29) Why is the sky blue?

A) The atmosphere reflects the color of the oceans.
B) The atmosphere reflects the light from the Sun.
C) The atmosphere scatters the light from the Sun.
D) The oceans refract the light from the Sun into the atmosphere.
E) The oceans reflect the light from the Sun into the atmosphere.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Section Ref: More Precisely 7-1

30) What event triggered the dramatic increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration seen
over the last couple of centuries?
A) the invention of CFCs
B) the invention of the automobile
C) the Tunguska meteoric impact
D) the volcanic eruption in Iceland in 1783
E) the Industrial Revolution
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Section Ref: Discovery 7-1

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31) We determine the structure of the Earth's core using:
A) deep mine shafts.
B) satellite imaging.
C) radar and sonar.
D) seismic wave data.
E) magnetic resonance imaging.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.3

32) Seismic waves are most useful for mapping:

A) the surface of Venus with Magellan.
B) the surface of Mars with Global Surveyor.
C) the Earth's core and mantle.
D) the density of the hydrosphere.
E) the depths of the oceans.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.3

33) Like other solid bodies in the solar system, Earth's surface was kept molten by:
A) radioactivity.
B) differentiation.
C) convection.
D) bombardment by small bodies.
E) the solar nebula.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

34) In noting that our world is "differentiated," we mean that:

A) the density of its materials decreases as you go downward toward the core.
B) the Earth has evolved in a different pattern than any other planet.
C) the iron and nickel core is denser than the silicate mantle and crust.
D) radioactive heating in the core is at a slower pace than when the Earth was new.
E) the Earth's magnetic field is different now in polarity than it was 700,000 years ago.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

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35) Which statement about seismic waves is true?
A) Only S waves can travel through liquid.
B) P waves travel faster, and thus arrive sooner than do the S waves.
C) In the shadow zones, neither type is observed.
D) S waves can travel though the outer core, but P waves cannot.
E) On the far side of the Earth, only the S waves on the surface can be detected.
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.3

36) Which statement about seismic waves is FALSE?

A) Both S and P waves can be detected by seismographs.
B) Close to the epicenter, both S and P waves can be recorded.
C) P waves travel faster, so the gap between their arrival times gives the source's distance.
D) Only P waves can be detected in the shadow zone.
E) S waves are blocked by the fluid outer core and cannot be observed on the other side of the
planet from the epicenter.
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.3

37) The oldest rocks on our crust are radioactively dated at about:
A) 200 million years old.
B) one billion years old.
C) 2.7 billion years old.
D) four billion years old.
E) 4.6 billion years old.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: More Precisely 7-2

38) When two tectonic plates collide:

A) they both stop moving.
B) they always produce high mountain chains like the Himalayas.
C) volcanoes always mark the boundary between them.
D) they continue moving, producing a variety of large deformations.
E) that region is safe from earthquakes now the plates are fixed.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.4

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39) A region where a denser basaltic plate is subducted under a continental one is:
A) the Himalayas.
B) the Nazca Trench.
C) the Mid-Atlantic Rift.
D) Hawaii.
E) the San Andreas Fault.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

40) Which of these is NOT a product of plate tectonics and hot spots?
A) Hawaii
B) Yellowstone and Old Faithful
C) the Mid Atlantic Rift
D) the Andes
E) the Grand Canyon's eroded depths
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

41) When strong solar winds are displaced poleward by our magnetic fields, we get:
A) the Van Allen radiation belts.
B) intense auroral displays.
C) sunspots.
D) hurricanes in the tropics.
E) droughts and dust bowls in the American West.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.5

42) The region around Earth where the magnetic field traps charged particles is the:
A) ozone layer.
B) exosphere.
C) Van Allen Radiation Belts.
D) corona.
E) aurora borealis and australis.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.5

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43) The presence of a magnetic field is a good indication that:
A) the Earth's interior is similar to Mercury's, as both have fields.
B) a huge iron meteorite lies somewhere high up in the mantle, not in the core.
C) we have a liquid metal outer core, spinning rapidly as we rotate.
D) the Earth's interior must be completely molten to the center.
E) the Earth's interior has had time to solidify, with a rigid bar magnet created.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.5

44) The Dynamo Theory holds that:

A) lightning plays a major role in generating our magnetic fields.
B) any other planet of similar density will also have a strong magnetic field.
C) the Earth's core, like Mercury's, is now a solid, rigid bar magnet.
D) magnetic fields are generated by rapidly spinning, fluid magnetic interiors.
E) the Earth's magnetic field must switch polarities every few million years.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.5

45) Earth's magnetic field:

A) prevents charged particles in the solar wind from reaching the surface.
B) is a remnant of the solar nebula's magnetic field.
C) is weakening the Van Allen radiation belts.
D) is the force behind plate tectonics.
E) lines intersect the atmosphere at the equator.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.5

46) What is the best description of the Earth's rotation over its entire history?
A) It has periodically reversed directions, as the magnetic polarity reversals show.
B) It has been constant over the entire history of the solar system.
C) It undergoes abrupt changes, as the magnetic variations show.
D) It has slowed down very gradually at about .0015 seconds per century.
E) It has sped up at about .013 seconds per century.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.6

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47) Which body has the greatest gravitational pull on Earth?
A) the Sun
B) the Moon
C) Mars
D) Jupiter
E) None has an impact, as all are too distant.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.6

48) At what phase are the tides least noticeable?

A) new Moon
B) full Moon
C) third quarter
D) waxing crescent
E) waning gibbous
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.6

49) What is true of spring tides?

A) The third quarter Moon would be high overhead at dawn.
B) The difference between low and high tides would be greatest.
C) There would be one high and one low tide each day.
D) The Moon's phase will be first quarter.
E) The difference between low and high tides would be smallest.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.6

50) At what phase would tidal variation be the least during the entire day?
A) new moon
B) first quarter
C) waxing gibbous
D) full moon
E) waning crescent
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.6

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7.3 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1) When strong solar winds are directed poleward, we see ________ at night.
Answer: aurorae
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.1

2) The partial trapping of solar radiation is known as the ________.

Answer: Greenhouse Effect
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.2

3) In the process of breaking down the ozone layer, the chlorine from the CFCs acts as a
________.
Answer: catalyst
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

4) Evidence that the Earth was nearly molten at one time comes from the differentiation of
materials by ________ from core to crust.
Answer: density
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

5) A hot, molten body of different materials will become ________.

Answer: differentiated
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

6) The oldest rocks found on the Earth's surface date back about ________ billion years.
Answer: four
Diff: 1
Section Ref: More Precisely 7-2

7) The ________ on the edges of the continents come from subduction of oceanic basalt beneath
the advancing continental plate.
Answer: trenches
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

8) Plate ________ is the process by which convection within the mantle reforms the crust above
it.
Answer: tectonics
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.4

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9) When strong solar wind storms are diverted poleward by our magnetic fields, we often
observe ________ in the ionosphere.
Answer: aurorae
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.5

10) The auroral displays occur in our ________.

Answer: ionosphere
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.5

7.4 Short Answer Questions

1) List the six main regions of the Earth, in order, starting from the center.
Answer: core, mantle, crust, hydrosphere, atmosphere, magnetosphere
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.1

2) Describe the process by which the ozone hole promotes its own existence.
Answer: The ozone hole is a region where atmospheric circulation and low temperatures
conspire to create a circumpolar cloud of ice crystals. These ice crystals promote the ozone-
destroying reactions.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

3) Why does the Earth's atmosphere contain much more nitrogen than hydrogen?
Answer: Heavier nitrogen can be retained by our gravity, but lighter hydrogen is blown away in
space by the solar wind.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.2

4) Name the layers of the Earth's atmosphere, going up from the surface.
Answer: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.2

5) What does it mean when we say the Earth's interior is differentiated?

Answer: In a molten state, the denser materials sank to our core, and the lighter material rose to
form our crust.
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.3

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6) What were the two primary courses of heating that let the Earth differentiate? Which is more
important to us today?
Answer: Impacts of asteroids and radioactive decay. Radiation decay of radioactive elements
still provides the energy to drive plate tectonics.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.3

7) Note at least three surface features that are driven by plate tectonics.
Answer: Rift valleys, trenches, mountain ranges, volcanic chains, faults, etc.
Diff: 1
Section Ref: 7.4

8) Where is the newest material in the Earth's crust found?

Answer: At the mid-ocean ridges, where plate tectonics constantly extrudes new lava.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

9) Name two consequences of the Earth's magnetic field detected from space.
Answer: The Van Allen radiation belts lie around our equator, and the tail of charged particles
much like a comet's tail extending past the Moon.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.5

10) Arrange the layers of the Earth from the core outward, describing their major materials.
Answer: The inner core is solid nickel and iron, the outer core molten iron and nickel, the
mantle dense silicate rocks, the crust less dense rocks, the hydrosphere is water, the troposphere
dense air, the stratosphere less dense air, the ozone layer is molecules, the ionosphere ionized
gases, the magnetosphere just magnetic fields.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3

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7.5 Essay Questions

1) What is the Greenhouse Effect and why is it vital to life here?

Answer: The gases carbon dioxide and water vapor trap infrared energy close to the Earth's
surface, warming us enough to keep the hydrosphere liquid. With no Greenhouse heating, the
surface temperature of Earth would average -23 degrees Celsius and the oceans would freeze.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.2

2) What are some of the consequences that could happen if the average global temperature
increases by 5 Kelvin, as predicted if the carbon dioxides continue to rise at the current rate?
Answer: Melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, rise in sea level of up to a meter, longer and
more extreme periods of severe weather, crop failures, expansion of deserts in equatorial regions
and increase numbers of mosquitoes and other pests.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: Discovery 7-1

3) Explain how radioactive dating works, and why it works only with igneous rocks.
Answer: Radioactive dating compares the amount of a radio isotope left in a rock with its decay
product; the older the rock, the less original radioactive material remains, and the more decay
product has built up. Since this rate of decay is steady and predictable, that will let us get the age
of an igneous rock. The igneous rocks have not been changed since they crystallized;
metamorphic ones have often been heated enough to recrystalize minerals and reset the atomic
clock, while sedimentary rocks are mixtures of many specimens of differing ages.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.3

4) Describe the two different kinds of seismic waves. Distinguish between them by describing
how they move through Earth's interior.
Answer: S-waves cause side-to-side motion. These waves cannot travel through liquid, so they
do not make it through Earth's liquid outer core. P-waves vibrate the material through which they
pass back and forth along the direction of travel of the wave. P-waves go a little faster than S-
waves. Also P-waves can travel through liquid so these can be seen on the other side of the
planet from the earthquake source.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.3

5) How did Alfred Wegener first notice the possibility of plate tectonics? What lies in the gap he
noted?
Answer: He found that the western coast of Africa was an almost perfect fit for the eastern coast
of South America. We now know the Mid-Atlantic Rift sits between them and its expansion is
causing them to continue separating with time.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

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6) In plate tectonics, how are trenches formed? What always accompanies them?
Answer: Trenches are the deep places in the oceans where denser basaltic plates are subducted
beneath lighter continental ones. The heat of this subduction always gives rise to volcanic chains
immediately above the subduction zone, such as the Nazca Trench off South America and the
Andes immediately east of it.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

7) Relate the formation of the Himalayas to plate tectonics.

Answer: In the last 30 million years, the northward motion of the Indian plate has caused it to
ram into Eurasia, with the light continental plates in collision having no way to go but up,
making the roof of the world.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

8) Describe several features on the Earth's crust explained by plate tectonics.

Answer: Mountain ranges, volcanic mountain chains, mid-ocean rifts, oceanic trenches, faults,
earthquakes, and plate motion.
Diff: 2
Section Ref: 7.4

9) What is the principal evidence that new plate material is continually being formed?
Answer: The material in the Mid-Atlantic Rift is very new, and as you go either eastward or
westward from it, the igneous rocks are older by radioactive dating. Similar trends are seen on
the volcanoes of Hawaii.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.4

10) Why do volcanic mountain chains, such as the Andes, accompany deep trenches like the
Nazca Trench off South America?
Answer: When plate tectonics causes a denser oceanic plate beneath a moving continent, the
basalt sinks down into a deep trench, but the heat of subduction causes molten magma to rise up
under the edge of the continent, creating volcanoes.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.4

11) How do earthquakes allow us to model the structure of Earth's core?

Answer: Examining the different seismic waves we find P and S waves are not recorded by all
over the planet. There is a blind spot for S waves on the side of Earth opposite the earthquake,
and there is a shadow zone part way around the surface from the earthquake. Since we know S
waves cannot travel through liquid and P waves can, we conclude the Earth's core is liquid. Since
P waves bend when they enter the liquid core, but some travel straight through, it implies there is
a solid center to the liquid outer core.
Diff: 3
Section Ref: 7.4

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