Key Questions and Terms Notes
What are two ways scientists learned about the interior of Earth?
What is some direct evidence scientists used to determine that Earth has liquid layers beneath the crust?
How is a seismograph similar to an X-ray?
How do scientists use earthquake waves to determine the composition of layers of the earth?
Briefly describe the characteristics of the four main layers of Earth. Include temperatures.
Crust:
Mantle:
Outer core:
Inner core:
Where are tectonic plates located?
What is the difference between oceanic crust and continental crust?
Briefly describe the three layers of the mantle. Include temperatures.
Lithosphere:
Asthenosphere:
Mesosphere:
What do you notice about the temperatures as you go deeper into the layers of the earth?
Describe the movement of the asthenosphere.
How do convection currents cause tectonic plates to move?
Convection currents cause changes in the Earth’s crust. Describe what would happen in each situation.
Plates move apart:
One plate goes under another:
Plates move together:
How do temperature, pressure, and density impact the core of Earth?
Explain why Earth is not a perfectly round sphere.