The innermost layer of the Earth. Thought to consist mostly of Iron, Nickel, and other heavy elements. The Inner Core is solid while the outer core is liquid in nature. They rotate in opposite directions producing Earth's magnetic field.

The less dense layer that surrounds the core. It is primarily composed of peridotite, a dark, dense igneous rock containing abundant iron and magnesium. It is divided into three zones: Lower, Asthenosphere, and the Upper which comprises the Lithosphere.

Surrounds the Lower mantle; it has the same composition as the Lower, but behaves plastically and slowly flows. Partial melting within the Asthenosphere generates magma which rises to the surface due to lower density.

The uppermost layer of the Mantle, it is broken into plates which move over the Asthenospere. The force driving this motion is convection.

The process of heat release from the Earth's Core, causing currents to flow through the Asthenosphere, driving Plate Tectonics.

Plate Tectonic Theory

The theory stating that the Lithosphere is divided into plates, which move over the Asthenosphere, driven by convection from the core, and which acts as a recycling system for the Lithosphere.

The Earth's outermost layer, contains two types: Continental and Oceanic.

Primarily composed of silicon and aluminum, it is less dense than the mantle, giving it buoyancy, which keeps it from sinking back down.

Denser than Continental crust, it is composed of the darker igneous rocks Basalt and Gabbro. Its greater density causes it to subduct into the mantle at divergent plate boundries.

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Geology 1220

Vocabulary for Historical Geology

Question	Answer
Core	The innermost layer of the Earth. Thought to consist mostly of Iron, Nickel, and other heavy elements. The Inner Core is solid while the outer core is liquid in nature. They rotate in opposite directions producing Earth's magnetic field.
Mantle	The less dense layer that surrounds the core. It is primarily composed of peridotite, a dark, dense igneous rock containing abundant iron and magnesium. It is divided into three zones: Lower, Asthenosphere, and the Upper which comprises the Lithosphere.
Asthenosphere	Surrounds the Lower mantle; it has the same composition as the Lower, but behaves plastically and slowly flows. Partial melting within the Asthenosphere generates magma which rises to the surface due to lower density.
Lithosphere	The uppermost layer of the Mantle, it is broken into plates which move over the Asthenospere. The force driving this motion is convection.
Convection	The process of heat release from the Earth's Core, causing currents to flow through the Asthenosphere, driving Plate Tectonics.
Plate Tectonic Theory	The theory stating that the Lithosphere is divided into plates, which move over the Asthenosphere, driven by convection from the core, and which acts as a recycling system for the Lithosphere.
Crust	The Earth's outermost layer, contains two types: Continental and Oceanic.
Continental Crust	Primarily composed of silicon and aluminum, it is less dense than the mantle, giving it buoyancy, which keeps it from sinking back down.
Oceanic Crust	Denser than Continental crust, it is composed of the darker igneous rocks Basalt and Gabbro. Its greater density causes it to subduct into the mantle at divergent plate boundries.

Created by: SeanDickey

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