Download Vocabulary for Earth`s Structure and Note Cards Crust – the

Vocabulary for Earth’s Structure and Note Cards
Crust – the outermost layer of the Earth
Mantle – The layer of the Earth between the crust and the outer core
Core – the Earth’s layer that extends from below the mantle to the center of the Earth.
Outer core – liquid part of the core, made of molten iron and nickel
Inner core – solid part of the core, mostly made of solid iron and nickel
Asthenosphere – a plastic layer of the mantle on which pieces of the lithosphere move
Lithosphere – the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle
Seismic waves – earthquake waves that travel out from the earthquake in all directions
Convection Currents – Fluid movement due to differences in temperature and density
Sea-floor spreading – Ocean floor separating as magma rises and solidifies
Convergent Boundary – Boundary between tectonic plates that are colliding
Divergent Boundary – Boundary between tectonic plates that are separating
Transform Boundary – Boundary between tectonic plates that are sliding past each other.
Continental Drift – Hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up,
and drifted to their present locations.
Tectonic plates – Pieces of the lithosphere that move on top of the asthenosphere.
Pangaea – All of the present continents were once joined in a single, huge continent
Fossil evidence – Similar fossils on different continents supporting continental drift hypothesis
Mountain building – Mountains resulting from colliding convergent plates
Faults – Breaks in the Earth’s crust