Chapter 2 Foundations of Geology

2.1 The Structure of the Earth Objectives:

-List the various parts of the structure of the earth -Describe plate tectonic theory -Explain how the four basic mountain types are formed

Introduction to Geology
Geology The study of the earth Interesting facts:
Man has never been more than two miles into the crust The deepest drillings have only gone 8 miles into the crust If Earth was an apple, men have not pierced its skin We know less about the ground under our feet than we do the stars billions of miles away

The Earths Crust

The outer shell
Earths outer layer made of solid rock Anywhere from 43 miles to 5 miles thick from mountain ranges to sea floors Consists of sediments (sand) and a thin layer of soil

Composition of the crust

47% oxygen 28% silicon 13% aluminum and iron Potassium, copper, calcium, sodium, magnesium, tin, lead, silver, gold, uranium compose the rest

The Mantle
Earths middle layer
Studied via seismic waves (earthquake vibrations) Croatian man named Mohorovicic discovered a density change in rock between the crust and mantle (Mohorovicic discontinuity - Moho)

Composition of the mantle

Upper mantle Transition zone Lower mantle High temperatures cause rock to become plastic or flow like thick syrup Deeper depths result in higher temperatures

Earths Core
Distinct from mantle at the core-mantle boundary or Gutenberg discontinuity Two parts
Outer core
Liquid due to intense heat 9000 F Probably molten iron and nickel

Inner core
High density solid iron and nickel 52 million pounds per square inch

Movements of the Crust

Drifting plates
Gigantic asymmetrical rock plates float like rafts on the upper mantle Plates compose the lithosphere (the crust and the upper mantle) Antonio Snider-Pellegrini invented the theory of plate tectonics and Pangea to account for specific geologic features
Similar fossils on opposite sides of ocean beds Earthquake location on plate boundaries Deep sea trenches Volcanic belts and mountain ranges

Movements of the Crust (contd)

Faults and folds
Fracture zones between plates are called faults San Andreas fault in CA is well-known Types of faults
Normal fault Strike-slip fault Thrust fault

Folds are buckling of rocks

Syncline rock buckles downward Anticline rock buckles upward

Mountains
Four types
Volcanic cone-shaped with lava eruptions Domed molten rock forces solid rock to bubble without bursting out Folded two adjacent rocks are forced together causing wave-like folds Fault-block stark, rocky, cliff-like face formed along a fault

Famous Ranges
Himalayas India/China (Mt. Everest) Alps Europe (tallest mountain in Europe) Rockies US midwest/west Appalachians US East coast Andes SA Pacific Coast (longest range) Sierra Nevada - California Pyrenees France/Spain Urals Western Russia

Fault-block

Domed

Volcanic

Folded

Review
Identify
Pangaea Lithosphere Seismic waves Moho

List the various parts of the structure of the earth Describe plate tectonic theory Explain how the four basic mountain types are formed