Download Plate Tectonics, Topographic Maps, and Weather Study Guide KEY

Plate Tectonics, Topographic Maps, and Weather Study Guide KEY
1. What is erosion and what causes it? Give a few examples.
Erosion is the movement of sediments and is caused by weathering, (breaking down of sediments
physically or chemically).
2. How is a volcano formed?
A volcano is formed when magma builds up under oceanic crust or where oceanic crust meets
continental crust, (convergent/subduction), and erupts through the sea floor, building up greater than
sea level.
3. How are mountains formed?
Mountains are formed at convergent plate boundaries—continental to continental crust—when to
plates collide
4. What is Pangea?
The supercontinent of adjoined landmasses that Alfred Wegener named when he came up with the
theory of continental drift.
5. The theory of continental drift is supported by what evidence?
*Fossils and animals are similar on continents across the ocean from each other
*Coal deposits were found in Antarctica that actually form on warm, swampy climates
*Puzzle-like fit of continents
*Glacial deposits
*Similar climates
6. List the types of plate boundaries, the direction in which they move, and which land features are
formed from each. (You may want to use your bathymetric map.)
1) Divergent (divide) <- -> ridges, rises, rift valleys (Mid Atlantic Ocean Ridge, Great Rift Valley)
2) Convergent (collide) -> <- mountains, volcanoes, trenches (Rocky Mountains, Mt. St. Helen’s)
3) Transform (slide past one another) -> earthquakes, strike-slip faults, faults (San Andreas)
<7. What causes earthquakes and where do they commonly occur?
Earthquakes occur most often at transform plate boundaries. Heat from friction of plates sliding past
each other causes parts of plates to crumble, forming faults.
8. How does weathering affect land formations, such as islands?
Weathering, physical or chemical, causes land to be broken down in time or in an instant during
catastrophic events. This changes the topography of land features.
Waves crashing onto ocean shores causing weathering and erosion, changing the coastline.
9. What is the theory of Plate Tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics is described as the Earth’s crust, (lithosphere), is created of plates that are
moving due to convection currents of a magma-like substance in the Earth’s asthenosphere.
10. Why do plates in the Earth’s lithosphere move?
Lithospheric plates are moving because of convection currents in Earth’s asthenosphere, which is under
the Earth’s crust
11. What is a topographic map?
A topographic map shows elevations of land features using contour lines.
12. What are some specific features on a topographic map?
Contour lines, compass, distance scale, symbols of land features
13. Why is it important to have compass directions on a topographic map?
It is important to have a compass on a topographic map to show directions and to identify land features
correctly, and to know which way you are headed on a route
14. Why is it important to include a scale on a topographic map?
To know the correct distance of land features—especially if you are hiking and such
15. Why would it be important to update the topographic map of an area?
It is important to update a topographic map periodically, because land features change due to
weathering and erosion.
16. How do you find differences in elevations? Give an example
Determine the contour interval of the land feature and calculate the elevation.
Peak A is 800 m, and Peak B is 300 m. The difference in elevation between Peak A and Peak B is 500 m.
(800-300=500m)
17. How could shaded relief (a shaded area on the topographic map) help you identify the actual
photograph of land formation?
Match the shaded area of the topographic map with the shaded area of the satellite image or profile
picture.
18. Define and give an example of the three types of heat transfer?
Conduction- heat transfer between two touching surfaces; stove and pan
Convection- Heat transfer through liquids or gases; earth’s mantle, wind
Radiation- heat from sun or electromagnetic waves; sunburn, microwave
19. What is the Coriollis Effect? What causes it?
Causes currents (air/water) in the Northern hemisphere to turn clockwise and counter-clockwise in
the Southern hemisphere; Caused by the Earth’s rotation and tilt of axis
20. What weather and symbol is associated with each of the 4 types of fronts?
Coldviolent thunderstorms, possible tornadoes
Warm-
light rain, humidity
StationaryOccluded-
continuous light rain or other type of precipitation
storms, heavy rain or other precipitation
21. What weather and symbol is associated with high and low pressure systems?
High-
Low-
H
L
Fair weather, blue skies, light winds
stormy weather and strong winds
22. What is a hurricane and its symbol? What two ingredients are needed for one to form? In what
direction do storms normally travel?
Rapidly-rotating swirling, low-pressure tropical storm; from west to east, normally along a coast (northeast)
23. How does heat travel? How does air move between systems?
Heat travels from a warm area to a cooler area; air moves from a high pressure area to a low
pressure area