Oceanography Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth

evidence suggests that the sun and the rest of the solar system formed about five _______ years ago.

billion

which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a sea?

composed of fresh water

the separation of the earth into layers while it was molten was the result of the _______.

differing densities of the elements that make up the earth

a tentative, testable statement about the general nature of a phenomenon is called a/an _______.

hypothesis

the continental crust is usually ________ and _________ compared to the oceanic crust.

less dense and thicker

which is NOT a chemical layer of the earth?

lithosphere

isostatic adjustments are the result of the buoyancy of earths lithosphere as it floats on the _______below.

asthenosphere

the four principal ocean basins (plus an additional ocean) on earth are the _______.

atlantic, pacific, indian, southern, and arctic oceans

based on chemical composition, earth consists of ______ layers.

three

current scientific knowledge indicates that the most likely origin of most of earths oceans was due to _______.

water vapor released from volcanic outgassing

earth is about _______.

4.6 billion years old

the average depth of the worlds oceans is approximately:

12,080 feet

what is the approximate percentage of water on the earths surface?

70%

the earths crust is composed of the rocks: ________ and ________.

granite and basalt

the sun and the rest of the solar system formed about 5 billion years ago from a huge cloud of dust and gas called a _________.

nebula

which layer of the earth is liquid?

outer core

which planetary body is water NOT suspected to be present on?

saturn

how did scientists determine the composition of the earths interior?

seismic waves

which ocean covers more than half of the ocean surface area on earth?

the pacific ocean

which ocean is actually a part of three other oceans?

the southern ocean