rocks and weathering geo ( ch3 )

    Master this deck with 16 terms through effective study methods.

    Generated from text input

    Created by @benjaminn

    What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

    Fossils of non-swimming animals found on separate continents indicate land connection.

    How does oceanic crust differ from continental crust?

    Oceanic crust is thinner, younger, and denser than continental crust.

    What is convection theory in plate tectonics?

    Heat from radioactive decay causes magma to rise and create movement.

    What happens at oceanic constructive boundaries?

    Magma fills fissures, creating new oceanic crust without forming a topographic high.

    What is slab pull?

    The force exerted by a sinking plate that pulls the rest of the plate down.

    What characterizes a collision boundary?

    Two continental plates collide, causing intense compression and folding.

    What is the role of the Benioff zone?

    It is a zone of earthquakes associated with subduction zones.

    How does freeze-thaw weathering occur?

    Water freezes in rock cracks, expands, and breaks the rock apart.

    What is hydrolysis in weathering?

    Acidic water breaks down feldspar in rocks, forming kaolin.

    What effect does vegetation have on weathering?

    Roots produce organic acids that enhance chemical weathering.

    What is the impact of human activity on slope stability?

    Excavation and vegetation removal increase the likelihood of slope failure.

    What is sea floor spreading?

    The process of creating new oceanic crust at divergent boundaries.

    What defines a transform boundary?

    Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes without creating or destroying crust.

    What is the significance of Van’t Hoff’s Law?

    Chemical weathering rate increases 2-3 times for every 10°C rise in temperature.

    What are the characteristics of mudflows?

    Faster flows of saturated soil, occurring on shallower slopes.

    What is the effect of slope angle on mass movement?

    Steeper slopes (>40°) are more prone to rockfalls and slides.