Marine Sciences Marine Geology Examination

Complete each gap with a word, number (amount) or short phrase.

The Structure of the Earth
The Earths interior is composed of 1__________ - three are solid and one is liquid.
a) 2__________ layer This is the deepest layer. Its main composition is iron (Fe),
3
__________ , and Nickel (Ni). Its estimated temperature is between 4__________
.
b) 5__________ layer This is basically a shell of 6__________ (4000 5000 C). It
is responsible for creating the 7__________ that shields the Earth from
imminent death by approaching the Sun.
c) 8__________ - It is not lava but 9__________ . The rock is so hot that it flows
under 10__________. This creates slow-moving currents as hot rock ascends and
cooled rock descends (by convection flow or11 __________ )
d) 12__________ - This is the outermost layer. Its divided into continental or
oceanic plates.
The Earth was formed after 13__________ and 14__________ joined by nuclear fission
and therefore split apart, giving birth to many elements. One of them, iron (Fe)
started accumulating gradually into layers. This process is known as 15__________.
The Drifting Continents
It is thought that about16 __________ years ago, the continents were all joined
together in one enormous mass of land called Pangea. In 1912, geophysicist and
meteorologist Alfred Wegener stated that the urkontinent broke up and 17__________
into their current positions. His theory was known as 18__________ but quickly
dismissed due to lack of concrete evidence.
There was, however, some shred of evidence supporting Wegeners idea, one of the
strongest being:
1. Several 19__________ of similar animals and plants (such as 20__________ )
were found in the regions of India, South America, South Africa, Australia and
even Antarctica, which suggests that said regions may have been joined
together, covered in similar 21__________ .
Many years later, scientist were able to map the Earth by 22__________ , and found a
large scar which circled the entire globe. Scientists were able to not only to reveal
that the Earth appeared to be cracked but cracked into 23__________.
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics is the theory which suggests that the Earths 24__________ is divided
into several pieces or 25__________ which glide over the 26__________ due to its
convection flow. The super-heated 27__________ rises and cools down repeatedly,
creating 28__________ currents which move the plates.
Major plates have an area greater than

29

__________.

The movement of plates creates three types of tectonic

a)
b)
c)

30

__________ :

31

__________ boundaries plates push into each other

__________ boundaries plates move apart from each other
33
__________ boundaries plates sliding against one another
32

The estimated speed of plates movement is

34

__________ .

Sea-floor spreading
By mapping the Earth, scientists discovered that the 35__________ expanded as a
result of the outward movement of plate boundaries in margins between
36
__________. As mantle magma rises between boundaries, new 37__________ is
formed and the sea floor spreads. To this day, the 38__________ Ocean is growing
whereas the 39__________ Ocean is shrinking.
Outcomes of Plate Movement
1. Earthquake An earthquake is a 40__________, 41__________ movement of the
Earths crust due to tectonic activity. Tectonic earthquakes result from
42
__________ of two plates attempting to slide together despite being stuck.
In order to study earthquakes, scientists use 43__________ and networks of
44
__________ . An earthquake can be measured based on the energy released
from its source (45__________ ) and the intensity/strength of shaking
(46__________).
2. Tidal wave - An unusually high destructive 47__________ along the
48
__________ , usually called by a storm surge.
3. Tsunami A 49__________ sea wave of long period, produced by a submarine
earthquake, underwater 50__________ or massive 51__________ . Tsunamis
spread radically from their source in ever-widening circles. The shockwave
may travel up to 52__________ in the ocean.
4. Volcanism All the processes associated with the transfer of 53__________
from the interior of the Earth to its surface, as a result of magma beneath the
54
__________ under great 55__________. Volcanoes are 56__________ or
57
__________ in the crust where magma and ashes erupt. Volcanoes generally
occur in 58__________ zones.
The location of 59__________ volcanoes in the world form a circle called
60
__________.