Which is NOT one of Earth's four spheres?
The biosphere
The hydrosphere
The geosphere
The troposphere
We look up in the sky and see a cloud. Which sphere is this cloud in?
The atmosphere only
The hydrosphere only
The geosphere only
Both the hydrosphere and atmosphere
Which of Earth's interior layers is liquid iron?
None are liquid
The mantle
The outer core
The inner core
Why is rain not part of the atmosphere?
Because it is part of the biosphere.
Because it moves between spheres.
Because it is part of the hydrosphere.
Because it is part of the geosphere.
How do we know that seismic waves have reached a new layer in the Earth's interior?
They travel all the way to the core before bouncing back.
They change speed as they reach different layers.
Nothing happens, they simply travel through.
They get bounced back when they reach the mantle.
Which of these is NOT one of the four spheres of Earth that are said to drive all its processes and support life on the planet?
Atmosphere
Lithosphere
Geosphere
Hydrosphere
If scientists can ONLY detect P waves in a certain layer of the Earth's interior, what does that tell us?
We know that the layer is solid.
We know that the layer is liquid.
We know that the layer is the mantle.
We know that the layer could be either liquid or solid.
What is the name of the Earth's outermost, 60-mile-thick, layer?
Lithosphere
Biosphere
Asthenosphere
Hydrosphere
Which of the following is NOT a reason that sphere interactions are important?
They form the overall system of Earth.
They help to keep matter in one place.
They change matter through different phases.
They recycle material on Earth.
Why is the inner core solid?
Because it is very hot.
Because it consists mostly of silicon.
Because it is under too much pressure to melt.
Because of plasticity.
A plant rooted in the ground has a connection to which sphere(s)?
Hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere
Biosphere only
Biosphere and hydrosphere only
Geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
Which of these is part of the Earth's lithosphere?
Liquid Mantle
Crust
Hydrosphere
Core
Why are plants and animals part of the biosphere?
Because they live on the ground.
Because all living things are part of the biosphere.
Because they can migrate.
Because they can travel in the air.
Which of the following events is LEAST likely to trigger a tsunami?
A volcanic eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii
Rock weathering in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands
An underwater landslide
An underwater earthquake that causes a plate to move upwards
The interior of the Earth is part of which sphere?
The atmosphere
The hydrosphere
The biosphere
The geosphere
Which parts of the Earth are contained in the lithosphere?
The lower mantle and the crust.
Both the inner and outer core.
The outer core and lower mantle.
The upper mantle and the crust.
How can you tell where one sphere ends and the next one begins?
There are no hard rules, and often spheres overlap.
You calculate which sphere is more involved.
You find the exact point where they meet.
You look it up in a textbook.
How are mantle plumes and hot spots related?
Hot spots erupt and form mantle plumes.
Hot spot is another word for mantle plume.
None are correct
Mantle plumes rise & break through the crust, make hot spots
What happens to P waves when they reach the outer core?
They speed up because it is liquid.
They speed up because it is solid.
They slow down because it is solid.
They slow down because it is liquid.
Why can both P and S waves travel through the mantle?
Parts of the mantle are solid and other parts are liquid.
The mantle is a liquid.
The mantle is a solid.
The mantle is not very far below the Earth's surface.
How does the inner core differ from the outer core?
The inner core is characterized by plasticity.
The inner core is very cold while the outer core is very hot
The inner core is made of iron the outer core is lithium
The inner core is solid, while the outer core is liquid.
Which statement about the four spheres of Earth is true?
They occur in the same place, but do not interact.
Scientists think there are more than four spheres of Earth.
They describe distinct layers of Earth's interior.
They often occur in the same place and interact.
Which of the following is true about the Hawaiian islands?
There is no order to their age.
The islands are all the same age.
none
The islands get older as you travel northwest.
What is the cause of earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains on Earth?
Sinking of the oceanic crust.
Convection currents in the mantle.
Movements in the outer core.
Convection currents in the crust.