1. The Geosphere Honors Biology Chapter 3

2. Definition The solid part of the earth, including all rock, soil, and sediments 6378 km radius Determined by seismic studies

3. Composition Crust – 70 km thick; light elements; brittle (1% of mass) Mantle – 2900 km thick; medium density materials; fluid (64% of mass) Core – 3400 km radius; densest metals (35% of mass)

4. 5 Layer Structure Lithosphere – 15-300km; cool and rigid; crust and upper mantle; divided into the tectonic plates

6. 5 Layer Structure Asthenosphere - 250km; plastic layer that can flex and allows plates to move on it

7. 5 Layer Structure Mesosphere – 2550km; lower mantle

8. 5 Layer Structure Outer core – 2200km; liquid nickel and iron

9. 5 Layer Structure Inner core – 1228 km radius; solid nickel and iron

11. Plate Tectonics Internal forces move plates Divergent, convergent, and transform fault boundaries Causes mountain building, seafloor spreading (below), earthquakes and volcanism

13. Mountain Building

14. Earthquakes Fault – crack along which movement occurs Quake – vibrations from movement Magnitude – amount of energy released, measured by Richter Scale (2.0 felt and 9.5 largest measured); 7.0 is 31.7 times more energy than 6.0 Majority occur on crustal plate boundaries

18. Volcanoes Mountain built from magma/lava Often near tectonic plate boundaries that are separating or colliding Occur on land and under the sea

28. Erosion of the Geosphere Removal and transport of materials Removable because of weathering Smooths and rounds features Done by numerous agents: wind, water, gravity

29. The Wai'anae and Ko'olau mountain ranges no longer have rounded tops. They are two extinct jagged mountain ranges that have been cut into by streams and rain washing away rocks and dirt. This is called erosion.

31. The End (for now)