Earth's Interior/Plate Tectonics

What are the two main ways that scientists study the Earth's interior?

• By observing weather patterns and ocean currents

• By collecting rock samples and analyzing seismic waves

• By studying animal migration and plant growth

• By measuring air pressure and temperature changes

How do scientists obtain direct evidence about Earth's interior?

• By studying fossils

• By collecting rock samples from wells or bore holes and volcanic eruptions

• By analyzing atmospheric gases

• By measuring magnetic fields

What do geologists study to obtain indirect evidence about Earth's interior?

• Ocean currents

• Seismic waves

• Wind patterns

• Solar radiation

What happens to temperature with increasing depth into the Earth?

• It decreases

• It remains constant

• It increases

• It fluctuates

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

What happens to pressure with increasing depth into the Earth?

• It decreases

• It remains constant

• It increases

• It fluctuates

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What are the three major compositional layers of the Earth?

• Crust, Mantle, Core

• Crust, Surface, Atmosphere

• Mantle, Core, Atmosphere

• Surface, Crust, Core

Which layer of the Earth is the least dense?

• Mantle

• Core

• Crust

• Outer Core

What is the core of the Earth mostly made of?

• Basalt

• Iron and Nickel

• Granite

• Silica

What is the lithosphere made up of?

• The crust and the uppermost part of the mantle

• The inner core

• The outer core

• The entire mantle

Which mechanical layer of Earth is characterized by rock that is plastic, or soft enough to flow?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Outer Core

• Inner Core