Geoscience Processes Test Review

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity and then gradually moves away from the mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What causes seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading occurs because molten material beneath Earth's crust rises to the surface.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing geological activity.

Front

What is a subduction zone?

Back

A subduction zone is an area where one tectonic plate slides under another, typically where the oceanic plate slides under the continental plate.

Front

What geological features are formed by tectonic plate movement?

Back

Mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity are formed by tectonic plate movement.

Front

What are the two types of tectonic plate boundaries?

Back

Divergent boundaries (where plates move apart) and convergent boundaries (where plates collide) are the two types of tectonic plate boundaries.

Front

What is the role of wind, water, and ice in shaping the Earth's surface?

Back

Wind, water, and ice cause erosion and weathering, leading to slow changes in the Earth's surface.

Front

What is the difference between catastrophic and slow geological processes?

Back

Catastrophic processes occur suddenly (like earthquakes), while slow processes happen gradually over time (like erosion).

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is the semi-fluid layer beneath the lithosphere that allows tectonic plates to move.