Exam 21: Structural G Eology and P Late Tectonics

The lithosphere "floats" on the asthenosphere, and the parts of lower density float higher. This state of buoyancy is called

A(n) ______________ is manifested by the vibrating and sometimes violent movement of Earth's surface.

The lithospheric plates are believed to be put into motion by the driving force of ______________ cells in the asthenosphere.

______________ faulting occurs as the result of forces parallel to the fault plane.

The structural region of Earth that has the greatest volume is the

What type of forces result in strike-slip faulting?

The difference in time between the arrival of S waves and the arrival of P waves can be used to determine

The ______________ scale gives an absolute measure of the energy released by an earthquake.

An earthquake of what magnitude on the Richter scale is the smallest felt by humans?

Transverse seismic body waves are known by the letter ______________.

The mountains of the Alps in Europe are examples of ______________ mountains.

The Andes Mountains in South America are examples of ______________ mountains.

The discovery of seafloor spreading led to acceptance of the theory of ______________.

Earth's radius is about

Earth's thin, rocky, outer layer on which we live is called the

The lithosphere is

When an earthquake occurs, the point of initial energy release is called the earthquake's ______________.

Earth's continental crust ranges in thickness from about

The radius of Earth is about __________ mi.

One plate slides horizontally past another plate at the type of plate boundary called ______________.