CSET Science: Earth and Space Sciences Flashcards

Which layer of Earth is composed primarily of iron and nickel in a solid state?

Answer: Inner core

The inner core is solid iron and nickel because the immense pressure at Earth's center exceeds the melting point threshold, keeping it solid despite extremely high temperatures.

What type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of mountain ranges like the Himalayas?

Answer: Continental-continental convergent boundary

When two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary, neither subducts, so both plates crumple upward, forming mountain ranges like the Himalayas.

The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of which type of plate boundary?

Answer: Transform boundary

The San Andreas Fault is a transform boundary where the Pacific and North American plates slide horizontally past each other, generating frequent earthquakes.

Which process is primarily responsible for the movement of tectonic plates?

Answer: Convection currents in the mantle

Convection currents in the semi-fluid mantle, driven by heat from Earth's interior, create drag forces that move tectonic plates.

Which type of rock forms from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

Answer: Igneous rock

Igneous rock forms when magma (underground) or lava (at the surface) cools and crystallizes; the name derives from the Latin word for fire.

Seafloor spreading occurs at which type of tectonic plate boundary?

Answer: Divergent boundary

At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, continuously creating new oceanic crust through seafloor spreading.

Which evidence most strongly supports the theory of continental drift?

Answer: Matching fossil records and rock formations on now-separated continents

Matching fossil species and identical rock formations found on continents now separated by oceans indicate those landmasses were once connected.