SSA Review (Earth's Structures: Big Idea 6)

Wind picks up and carries away pieces of weathered rock. When the wind slows down, it deposits the rock pieces in a new location. The diagram shows part of the rock cycle.

At which point in the cycle shown above would the process of transporting and depositing weathered rocks occur?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Answer explanation

The process of transporting and depositing weathered rocks occurs at point Z, where the wind slows down and drops the rock pieces in a new location, completing the transport cycle.

Through the rock cycle, rocks continually change on and below Earth's surface. The diagrams show some of the processes and materials of the rock cycle. The numbers in the first diagram represent points at which one or more processes occur.

At which point in the cycle shown in the first diagram would the processes of cooling and hardening of melted rock occur?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

The processes of cooling and hardening of melted rock occur at point 1, where magma cools to form igneous rock. This is a key step in the rock cycle, transitioning from molten material to solid rock.

The second diagram shows a more detailed view of two of the processes in the rock cycle. At which point in the first diagram would these two processes occur?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

The two processes in the second diagram occur at point 3 in the first diagram, where rock is subjected to heat and pressure, leading to metamorphism, a key part of the rock cycle.

Earth consists of different layers within which heat flows. The diagram shows four layers of Earth. In part of which layer does heat flow by convection currents?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Heat flows by convection currents in layer 3, which is the mantle. This layer is semi-fluid and allows for the movement of material, facilitating the transfer of heat through convection.

Earth’s tectonic plates move very slowly. Which of the following causes the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates?

• magnetic pole reversal

• large faults in mountain ranges

• energy released from volcanic activity

• convection of Earth’s upper mantle

Answer explanation

The movement of Earth's tectonic plates is primarily caused by convection currents in the upper mantle. These currents result from the heat from the Earth's core, driving the slow movement of the plates.

Weathering is the breaking down of rock .it or near Earth's surface. Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering?

• Water gets into cracks in rock, and substances in the water cause the rock to dissolve.

• Water freezes and expands in cracks in rock, pushing the rock apart.

• Pieces of rock carried by river water grind the rocks in the riverbed.

• A glacier scrapes the rocks it flows over on Earth's surface.

Answer explanation

The correct choice describes chemical weathering, where water dissolves minerals in rock. This contrasts with physical weathering, like freezing water expanding in cracks, which does not change the rock's chemical composition.

Earth’s mantle plays an important role in plate tectonics. Why is the mantle so important to this process?

• Earthquakes occur constantly in the mantle, which causes the plates to move.

• The mantle is made up entirely of liquid rock, on which Earth’s crustal plates can float.

• Heavy metals in the mantle set up strong magnetic fields that attract and repel Earth’s plates

• Temperature differences in the mantle set up convection currents that help to drive the movement of the plates.

Answer explanation

Temperature differences in the mantle create convection currents, which are crucial for driving the movement of tectonic plates. This process is fundamental to plate tectonics, unlike the other options which are incorrect.

The interaction of Earth's plates at plate boundaries causes changes to Earth's surface. The diagram shows a plate boundary and features of Earth's surface.

Which of the following features formed as a result of the plate interactions shown in the diagram?

• folded mountains

• mid-ocean ridge

• rift valley

• volcanic islands

Answer explanation

The diagram likely depicts a convergent or divergent boundary where volcanic activity occurs, leading to the formation of volcanic islands. Other options like folded mountains or rift valleys do not directly result from such interactions.

The movement of tectonic plates can produce landforms on Earth’s surface. Along what type of plate boundary might a mountain range form?

• transform only

• divergent only

• both convergent and divergent

• both transform and divergent

Answer explanation

Mountain ranges typically form at convergent boundaries where plates collide, causing uplift. However, divergent boundaries can also create mountains through volcanic activity, making 'both convergent and divergent' the correct choice.

Earth’s lithospheric plates meet at locations called plate boundaries. What happens at a transform boundary?

• the plates move away from each other

• the plates do not move

• the plates move toward each other

• the plates slide past each other

Answer explanation

At a transform boundary, the lithospheric plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes, making the correct answer "the plates slide past each other."