Download Geology 210 – Terminology Review The following terms and

Geology 210 – Terminology Review
The following terms and concepts should be reviewed and understood. Suggestions for study approach
would be to use a Physical Geology textbook (our library has several or check with me) and look up each
term and familiarize yourself with them. These terms and concepts will be used throughout the quarter.
I.
Earth Structure & Zonation
A. Crust: types of crust (lithosphere)
• continental vs. oceanic = cold brittle outer shell
• crustal densities
• granite, basalt rock
B. Mantle: upper vs. lower
• asthenosphere = hot, plastic rock that can flow
• mantle density
• peridotite rock
C. Core: inner vs. outer
• outer = liquid, hot metals of iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni)
• inner = hot solid metal of Fe & Ni
• magnetic field of Earth associated from outer liquid core movement of liquid Fe
D. Thermal Structure of Earth’s interior
• mantle convection
• radioactive decay, radioactive isotopes, heat
• mid ocean ridges & hot spots (mantle plumes)
• sea floor spreading and continental drift
II.
Plate Tectonics Review
A. Plate Boundaries
• divergent: ocean-ocean crust, continent-continent crust
• convergent: ocean-ocean, ocean-continent, continent-continent
• transform: ocean-ocean, ocean-continent
• mid ocean ridge, continental rift zone
• subduction zone
• continent-continent collision zone
• strike-slip fault zone
B. Continental Margins
• passive vs. active
• continental shelf, continental slope, continental rise
• oceanic trench, accretionary wedge
• volcanic arc, forearc basin, backarc basin
C. Exotic Terranes (displaced terranes)
• allochthonous vs. autochthonous terranes
III.
Geologic Time Scale
A. Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs
B. ages of major divisions in millions of years
C. age of the Earth