Earth Science Concepts

Front

Theory that the lithosphere moves slowly over time, rearranging the pieces of the earth's crust.

Back

Plate Tectonics

Front

Long-lived mineral that can contain radioactive substances like uranium or oxygen-18. Those substances can be used to calculate the age of the sample.

Back

Zircon

Front

Found in zircon and led us to recalculate the time when oceans formed on Earth. This isotope only forms underwater!

Back

Oxygen-18

Front

Radioactive element often found in zircon that can be used to calculate substance age. Will decay into lead which is not naturally found in zircon.

Back

Uranium

Front

Flatitude. Lines that move east and west.

Back

Latitude

Front

Lines that move north and south.

Back

Longitude

Front

Hot magma rises and cool sinks in the mantle. This moves the plates. Occurs in the upper mantle and the outer core as they have liquid-like properties that allow this movement.

Back

Convection Currents

Front

Layer that touches crust. Moves plates. Mostly solid. Convection currents.

Back

Upper Mantle

Front

Solid iron. Highest pressure and temperature.

Back

Inner Core

Front

Liquid. S waves can't travel through. Flow creates magnetic currents.

Back

Outer Core