The earth's outer layer made of solid rock

the study of the earth

deposits of sand and mineral fragments that cover the earth's surface

the most abundant element in the earth's crust

The middle of the earth's three main layers

the area between the upper mantle and lower mantle

The inner core of the earth has what consistency?

the outer core of the earth has what consistency?

the upper mantle of the earth has what consistency?

the central portion of the earth; made of nickel

the bottom of the mantle is called

Boundary between the crust and the mantle

Match the term with its description.

the rapid movement of the underwater plates during the Flood responsible for most of earth's geographic features

the fracture zone between stationary and moving rocks

A type of fault that occurs when rocks along one side of a fault sink vertically, forming a cliff on the other side

rocks that buckle upward during folding and form an arch-like structure

rocks that bend downward during the folding process to form a trough-like structure

Type of mountain formed when molten rock erupts from a hole in the earth's crust

type of mountain formed when molten rock pushes up overlying rock layers but no molten rock reaches the surface

type of mountain formed when the edges of two adjacent tectonic plates push together

A mountain formed by blocks of rock uplifted from normal faults; forms steep, cliff-like face on one side and a shallower incline on the other side

the computer system that stores and processes geographic data from various sources

an earthquake caused by sudden movements of rock beneath the earth's surface

term for a weak earthquake (not in relation to a stronger earthquake)

smaller earthquakes that often follow a larger earthquake at frequent intervals

the study of earthquakes

the idea that rocks on either side of a fault spring to a position of little or no stress after an earthquake

the point on the earth's surface directly above where an earthquake begins

the point deep in the earth where the earthquake begins

85% of all earthquakes are _______ earthquakes.

A major strike-slip fault in California

About 80% of the world's earthquakes occur here

the earthquake zone the stretches from southern Europe to Indonesia

the fastest traveling earthquake waves that are felt first; consist of a rhythmic push-pull motion

A type of seismic wave that moves the ground up and down or side to side; travel more slowly than the first waves

a type of seismic wave that forms when P waves and S waves reach Earth's surface

an instrument used to record the vibrations caused by an earthquake

how do scientists determine the point where an earthquake begins?

the scale used to measure the damage an earthquake causes

the scale considered the most reliable method for measuring the energy released by an earthquake

earthquake ________ can provide us with information about the earth's interior.

Two pilot holes into the earth that have allowed seismologists great insight on the San Andreas Fault

Buildings constructed on bedrock, buildings can be deformed

System in which the building rests on isolators that absorb seismic energy

an opening in the Earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and hot gases are ejected from the earth's interior.

the channel in the volcano through which the gases ash and molten rock are ejected from the earth's interior

the molten rock beneath the surface of the earth

the actual source of a volcanic eruption

volcanos that consist of erupted volcanic ash and rock fragments held loosely together

volcano that will not erupt again

volcano formed partly by explosive eruptions of ash and rock fragments and partly by mild lava flows

volcano that is inactive but can erupt again

What causes a volcanic eruption to be violent?

any substance emitted by an active volcano; may include gases, liquids, and solids

Magma (molten rock) that reaches Earth's surface

hardened lava with a surface that is smooth or ropy

hardened lava that forms rough, jagged rocks with a crumbly texture

lava in water that solidifies almost instantly forming rounded structures

particles or blocks of solid volcanic ejecta

solid particles less than 2 mm in diameter

solid ejecta larger than 2 mm but smaller than 64mm in diameter

large irregular shaped lump made of lava that hardened before being thrown out of volcano

large almond- or tear drop-shaped pieces of ejecta formed when lava solidifies after being thrown high in the air

superheated cloud of gas and small particles that travels as an avalanche

the scale used to measure the strength of a volcanic eruption

bowl shaped hollow formed by the collapse of an underground magma chamber

an underground channel that formed when lava above hardened before the lava below it

underground volcanic rock that is much larger than laccolith

any mass of underground volcanic rock is called

How is a dike different from a sill?