 | Term | Definition |
| |
the rotation of Earth on its axis |
What causes the change from day to night on Earth? |
| |
convergent |
Which type of plate boundary caused the formation of the Soufrière Hills volcano? |
| |
primary wave |
Which seismic wave moves through Earth at the fastest speed? |
| |
tsunami |
What is a wave of water caused by an earthquake under the ocean called? |
| |
hot spot |
What is the cause of the volcanoes on Hawaii? |
| |
the lava is hotter and more runny, therefore it can flow long distances before cooling |
Why do shield volcanoes have flatter slopes than composite volcanoes? |
| |
the amount of structural and geological damage done |
What factors determine an earthquake’s intensity on the modified Mercalli scale? |
| |
asthenosphere |
The warm, partly melted layer that carries the tectonic plates is the ___________. |
| |
convergent |
Subduction takes place at a ____________ plate boundary. |
| |
seismic waves |
Tectonic plates are moved around by_____. |
| |
focus |
The place inside Earth where the energy in an earthquake is centered in the _______________. |
| |
lithosphere |
The __________ is divided into about 13 major plates. |
| |
pyroclastic flow |
An avalanche of glowing rocks flowing on a cushion of hot gases is called a(n)_____________. |
| |
it is formed by a hot spot melting though the Pacific Plate |
The Hawaiian Islands are formed from a series of volcanoes. The next Hawaiian island, Loihi, is already 3,000 meters above the ocean floor, although it is still nearly 1,000 meters below the surface of the ocean. What tectonic plate feature is forming the new island of Loihi? |
| |
fissure eruptions |
Which types of lava eruptions cover the largest area on Earth’s surface? |
| |
approximately 12 hours |
How many daylight hours do people in different places on Earth experience during an equinox? |
| |
shear |
Strike-slip faults are caused by ____ forces. |
| |
earthquake motion on the ocean floor |
Tsunamis are caused by ____. |
| |
intensity |
The modified Mercalli scale measures the ____ of an earthquake. |
| |
amplitude |
The Richter scale is based on measurements of the ____ of a seismic wave. |
| |
day |
Earth spins on its axis, and one rotation takes about one ____. |
| |
rotation |
____ causes Earth to have day and night. |
| |
ice wedging |
_____ is when the temperature drops below the freezing point and water in cracks turns to ice. The water expands as it freezes, pushing apart the walls of the crack. |
