Round 1: Earth Layers and Seismic Waves Quiz

Which layer of the Earth is composed mostly of solid iron and nickel?

• Mantle

• Outer core

• Inner core

• Crust

What is the outermost layer of the Earth called?

• Core

• Crust

• Lithosphere

• Mantle

Which of the following layers is partially molten and responsible for plate movement?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Outer core

• Inner core

Which type of seismic wave is the fastest?

• S-waves

• Surface waves

• P-waves

• Rayleigh waves

P-waves can travel through:

• Solids only

• Liquids only

• Gases only

• Solids, liquids, and gases

Which seismic wave cannot travel through liquids?

• P-wave

• S-wave

• L-wave

• Rayleigh wave

What happens to the speed of seismic waves as they travel deeper into the Earth?

• Always decreases

• Always increases

• Generally increases, except in the outer core

• Remains constant

The boundary between the crust and the mantle is called the:

• Lithosphere

• Mohorovičić discontinuity

• Gutenberg discontinuity

• Asthenosphere

The Earth's mantle is composed mainly of:

• Basalt

• Peridotite

• Granite

• Iron

Which layer is liquid and generates Earth's magnetic field?

• Mantle

• Crust

• Outer core

• Inner core