Unit D - Plate Tectonics Review

Front

Distance to the center of the earth?

Back

6,400 km

Front

Which layer of the earth is the THICKEST?

Back

Mantle

Front

What is the thinnest layer inside the earth?

Back

Crust

Front

About how old is the earth?

Back

4.5 billion years old

Front

The idea that the continents were once joined together to form a large land mass called Pangea is known as _____________.

Back

continental drift

Front

We use the word ___________________ to refer to all of the crust and the upper mantle.

Back

Lithosphere

Front

What was Alfred Wegener's evidence that the continents have moved?

Back

Edges of continents look like they fit like a puzzle, Matching fossils found on separate continents, Mountains with matching rock layers found on separate continents

Front

The idea that the surface of the earth is made up of large plates that have moved over geological time is the theory of ______________.

Back

Plate tectonics

Front

As the lithospheric plates move, large sections of rock break and shift position releasing energy waves. This causes ______________.

Back

Earthquakes

Front

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

• The earth's lithosphere moves around but is never destroyed.
• Old lithosphere falls into the ocean and is destroyed by ocean currents.
• Old lithosphere is destroyed and new lithosphere is formed at plate boundaries.
• New lithosphere forms on the tops of mountains.

Back

Old lithosphere is destroyed and new lithosphere is formed at plate boundaries.