CHAPTER 8: The dynamic Earth

Worksheet 8.9
Science Quest 9: page 299

The dynamic Earth:

Summary
Student: ................................................................................................................. Class: .........................................

Use the listed words to complete the sentences.

CollisionConvectionDenserFocusFoldGondwanaNormalPangaeaRidgesVolcanic-

DriftLavaSeismographs-

dynamic
MagnitudeSubduction-

FaultMantleTectonics-

1. The Earth is a dynamic. system in which change is constantly occurring. The

movement of the continents and the growth of mountain ranges occur very slowly over
millions of years. However, the shock of an earthquake, volcanic eruption and even land slips
change the face of the Earth in a very short period of time.
2. Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of plate tectonics, in which he believed the continents on
the Earth were not fixed but were floating on denser. material in the upper
mantle., and that these floating continents were constantly breaking apart from
each other and rejoining in new combinations in a process he called continental
drift.
3. In the distant past, all of the Earths continents were part of a single super-continent that was
called Pangaea. Eventually this super continent broke up into a large northern
continent called Laurasia and a large southern continent called Gondwana.
4. The theory of plate tectonics. explains continental drift. The crust of the Earth is
divided into large tectonic plates that move in response to convection. currents
in the upper mantle. Collisions between plates are responsible for earthquakes and
volcanic. action.
5. Plates can spread apart due to magma rising from the mantle. This occurs at mid-ocean
ridges.
6. Oceanic plates can collide with continental plates at subduction. zones. The
oceanic plate goes under the continental plate and this leads to mountain building, earthquakes
and volcanic activity.
7. Continents can collide at collision . zones. In this case large mountains such as
the Himalayas are formed.
8. Plates may slide past each other and cause earthquakes. These fault. lines are
called transform or slip-strike faults.
9. Rocks deep within the earths crust are heated and put under pressure. Under these conditions
the layers of rock can fold. . Rock layers may also undergo faulting. Faults can
be classified as normal. faults or reverse faults.
10. The movement of the crust can lead to an earthquake. This occurs at a point down, inside the
crust called the focus. The point on the earths surface above the focus is the
epicentre and this is the site of greatest destruction. Seismographs. record the
earthquake waves. The Richter scale measures the magnitude. of the
earthquake.
11. Volcanoes are formed when magma rises from the mantle towards the surface.
Lava. is forced out of the ground and it may form a cone shaped volcano or lava
John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

Science Quest 9 Student Workbook

fields. The Pacific Rim is a major site of volcanic action due to the interaction of tectonic
plates.

Science Quest 9 Student Workbook

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd