Download Earth`s Structure and Tectonics Overview 2014

Name____________________________________________________ Date ___________________ Hour ___
Pages 128-129
Directions: Color, draw and label the layers of Earth using the following word bank and color code:
Continental Crust = green
Lithosphere = brown
Oceanic Crust = blue
Asthenosphere = orange
Lower Mantel = yellow
Outer Core = pink
Inner Core = red
1. The thinnest outermost layer of Earth is called the _______________________________ .
2. The _______________ crust is the thinnest and contains the Earth’s ocean waters. The
______________________ crust is much thicker and includes all land areas, including mountains.
3. The ____________________________ is a solid rocky layer attached to the bottom of the crust
and is the uppermost part of the ________________________. The _______________________ is
a molten plastic like layer that the Lithosphere rests and moves upon.
4. __________________________ ___________________________ caused by heat rising from the
Core melts rock and causes it to flow within the Asthenosphere. It cools where magma sinks to
become rock once again.
5. More dense _____________ crust meets and dives
under the less dense ____________________ crust.
6. When this occurs, a _____________________ zone
forms, allowing magma to rise to the surface. This
is where ______________ and _______________ form.
7. Trenches and _________________ form where the
Earth is moving together (note arrows above trench) at
places called ___________________ boundaries.
Sea Floor Spreading
A.
Mid Ocean Ridges = brown
D.
Hot Spot = Red
B. Divergent Boundary Arrows = blue
E. Subduction Zone = orange F. Label = Lithosphere
C. Trench = yellow
G. Asthenosphere = red
8. Rising hot molten material from the Asthenosphere can cause the Earth to move apart at locations
called _______________________ boundaries. The molten material rises then cools in the sea,
causing it to harden, forming ______________ _______________ ___________________.
9. As more molten material rises and hardens, it forces the sea floor to move apart. This process is
called _______________ ____________________ ______________________.
10. Sea floor spreading (at divergent boundary points A, B, D) results in the creation of new crust.
However, the Earth’s total surface area stays the same. Look at points C. and E. where there is a
convergent boundary. How could what is happening here explain why the sea floor spreading
does not result in the Earth’s crustal surface area to increase: ______________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
11. When two continental crusts collide, then
____________________ building occurs.
12. The crust is too thick for volcanoes to form.
However, the crust will dive under into
the _____________________ where it
will be melted and recycled to form new
crust elsewhere at hot spots or volcanic areas.
Continental Drift and Plate Tectonic Theory
(pg. 138-139)
1. The theory of Continental Drift was first proposed by the German scientist __________________.
2. He believed that all continents used to be joined together in a supercontinent called __________.
3. There were three types of evidence that gave support to his theory. First, the puzzle like _______
of the continents and coal fields found in Europe and North America provided ____________
_________ evidence, suggesting the continents once used to be joined in the shape shown above.
4. _____________ evidence revealed that the tropical plant ___________________ was found in
Antartica, South America, Australia, and India. The land animal Cyngnathus was found both in
South America and Africa. Lystrosaurus and Mesosaurus were fresh water reptiles throughout
many continents as well. None of these animals would have survived swimming an ocean.
5. Lastly, _____________ evidence supported by the fossil evidence mentioned above, indicated
tropical plants could not have grown in Antarctica unless it once used to be in a warmer climate
closer to the equator. Glacial grooves in South Africa indicates it used to be in a much colder
climate, further away from the equator.
6. Wegner’s theory was rejected during his lifetime, because he could not explain how the
continents moved. Sonar revealed _______ _________ ________ explains Continental Drift.
Directions: Color the arrows and plate boundaries indicated in the key above then complete the
table below.