PSCI Exam 2
what is a mantle plume
a circular column of magma that rises from deep within Earth
What is a tropical cyclone?
a low-pressure disturbance that develops over warm, tropical waters
which of the following often forms after continental rifting ?
a new ocean basin
what is a tsunami?
a series of water waves that travel away from a fault in all directions at high speed
what surface feature would you expect to form if Both a hot spot and a tectonic plate are stationary
a single volcano
where do earthquakes occur?
along plate boundaries; along faults
What is a seismograph?
an instrument used to record earthquake waves
what are the three major kinds of volcanoes?
cinder cones; composite volcanoes; shield volcanoe
why usually erupt explosively?
composite volcanoes
which of the following are common tectonic settings associated with volcanic activity
continental arcs; island arcs; continental rifts; mantle plumes
what type of plate boundary are most tsunamis associated with?
convergent plate boundaries
which of the following names mean "tropical cyclone"
cyclone; hurricane; typhoon
what is liquefaction
fluid behavior of water-filled sediment during shaking
where are tropical cyclones found?
lower and middle latitudes
where are continental volcanic arcs found
on the overriding plate near a subduction zone
which ocean is associated with most tsunamis?
pacific ocean
what is the most lethal hazard?
pyroclastics
in general, which two factors determine the overall temperature of Earth's atmosphere?
radiation coming into and radiation going out of Earth's atmosphere
which sediments below would have the highest cohesive strength during an earthquake?
sediment with many contact points between grains and air in pore spaces
which type of volcano typically erupts steadily and quietly?
shield volcanoes
which of the following describes the type of deformation experienced by rocks before an earthquake?
slow deformation
Elastic deformation before an earthquake is like _______, whereas rupture is like__________.
stretching a rubber band; breaking a rubber band
what causes a tsunami
subduction earthquakes; a large underwater disturbance such as an explosion
which of the following is a present-day example of a continental rift?
the East African rift valley
what is global warming ?
the warming of Earth's atmosphere caused by the production of greenhouse gases during human activity
The most destructive earthquakes are caused by the passage of surface waves because
they occur at the surface, where the ground shakes up and down and from side to side
how are tsunamis generated?
through displacement of the seafloor under water
What hazards are associated with volcanoes?
toxic gases; ash; lava; pyroclastics
what surface feature provides evidence for the location of hot spots
volcanoes within tectonic plates
Which three gases are most important on Earth for inhibiting the release of longwave radiation back into space?
water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane
In general, what is the difference between the energy that comes into Earth from the Sun and the energy that Earth emits back to space?
wavelength
when will a hot spot volcano become extinct?
when the volcano is carried away from the hot spot by the tectonic plate
Sort the processes based on whether they lead to an increase or reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
INCREASES: burning fossil fuel Warming of oceans Microbial activity in the wet soil Melting of ice in Arctic region Decreases: Reforestation efforts Generating electricity from wind Generating electricity using solar energy Generating electricity using nuclear energy
Why does the wave height of a tsunami increase as the tsunami enters shallow water?
In shallow water, the energy of the tsunami must be contained within a smaller water column.
How much more energy does a 10-magnitudeearthquake release than a 9.0-magnitudeearthquake?
30
how big can the diameter of a hurricane become
500 miles
How much less energy does a 6.0-magnitudeearthquake release than a 8.0-earthquake?
900
why is warm, moist air considered the "fuel" for a hurricane
Air cools as it rises. As air cools, water vapor will condense out as liquid water. Condensation releases heat, providing energy to the hurricane.
which of the following are examples of modern-day island arcs
Aleutian & Mariana Islands
what is the relationship between the mantle and the asthenosphere?
All of the asthenosphere is contained within a larger layer called the mantle.
what is the relationship between the crust and the lithosphere?
All of the crust is contained within a larger layer called the lithosphere.
how are island arc and continental arcs magmas similar
Both are formed near subduction zones.
How are continental rift magmas and continental arc magmas different?
Continental arc magmas are more viscous than continental rift magmas.
what was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history?
Hurricane Katrina
how are elastic rebound and elastic deformation different
Elastic deformation causes objects to bend, whereas rebound causes objects to return to their original shape.
Describe how they travel
Generally away from the equator
which of the following is an example of modern- day mantle plume volcanism
Hawaiian Islands
How much more energy does a 9.0-magnitudeearthquake release than a 5.0-magnitudeearthquake?
24300000
How much more energy does a 7.0-magnitude earthquake release than a 4.0-magnitude earthquake?
27000
why is heavy rain associated with hurricane formation
Rising, moist air cools. As air cools, water condenses and eventually falls.
what is the relationship between the mantle and the lithosphere?
Some of the mantle is contained within a smaller layer called the lithosphere
what does the Richter scale measure
The Richter scale measures how much the ground shakes during an earthquake.
where are most of the volcanoes on earth located ?
The Ring of Fire encircles much of the Pacific ocean
what will happen to a straight fence that undergoes elastic strain during an earthquake?
The fence will bend in the direction of stress.
which statement is most accurate?
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. Human activity has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the past 250 years.
where do hurricanes form
They form over tropical waters.
Will Sumatra experience another tsunami like the destructive one of December 2004?
This is likely, because Sumatra is near many ocean trenches.
why do ships at sea tend not to notice tsunamis
Tsunamis in deep water have small wave height and long wavelength.