Earth and Space Flashcard

Front

What is a divergent plate boundary?

Back

A divergent plate boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, often resulting in the formation of new crust, such as mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What is a trace fossil?

Back

A trace fossil is a type of fossil that provides evidence of the activity of ancient organisms, such as footprints or burrows.

Front

What is a body fossil?

Back

A body fossil is the preserved remains of an organism, such as bones, teeth, or amber containing insects.

Front

What is a cast fossil?

Back

A cast fossil is formed when a mold of an organism is filled with sediment or minerals, creating a replica of the original organism.

Front

What is foliation in metamorphic rocks?

Back

Foliation is the alignment of mineral grains in a metamorphic rock, resulting in a layered or banded appearance.

Front

What evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his hypothesis of continental drift?

Back

Wegener used the presence of similar fossils on different continents as evidence for his hypothesis of continental drift.

Front

What is Mount Vesuvius?

Back

Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano located in Italy, known for its eruption in AD 79 that buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Front

What are mid-ocean ridges?

Back

Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent plate boundaries.

Front

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere.

Front

What is the significance of the alignment of magnetic minerals?

Back

The alignment of magnetic minerals in rocks provides evidence for the historical movement of tectonic plates and the process of seafloor spreading.