Flashcard on Earth's Layers

Front

What are the Earth's layers?

Back

The Earth is composed of four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between the lithosphere and the crust?

Back

The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, while the lithosphere includes the crust and the upper mantle.

Front

What happens at a convergent boundary?

Back

At a convergent boundary, two tectonic plates collide, which can lead to the formation of mountains or volcanic activity.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

Front

What is a volcanic arc?

Back

A volcanic arc is a chain of volcanoes formed above a subducting plate, often found at convergent boundaries.

Front

What is the role of heat flow in the Earth's geosphere?

Back

Heat flow drives the movement of tectonic plates, leading to geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

A tectonic plate is a massive slab of solid rock that makes up the Earth's lithosphere and moves over the semi-fluid asthenosphere.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the thick layer of rock between the Earth's crust and outer core, composed of silicate minerals.

Front

What is the outer core?

Back

The outer core is a liquid layer composed mainly of iron and nickel, located beneath the mantle and surrounding the inner core.