GEOL 1001 Concept Sketches: Exam 1

Chapter 1
Layers of Earth:
1. Crust
a. Oceanic
i. Exists deep beneath oceans
ii. Avg. composition is the same as basalt
iii. Avg. thickness of 7km
b. Continental
i. Avg. composition similar to granite
ii. Avg. thickness of 35-40km
2. Upper mantle
a. Mainly composed of green mineral olivine
3. Lower mantle (extends to 2900km)
a. Similar composition to upper mantle
b. Contains minerals formed @ very high pressures
c. Mostly solid, although some parts partially molten, while other parts flow b/c of
weak solids
4. Outer core (extends to 5150km)
a. Consists of metallic iron & nickel
b. Molten
5. Inner core (extends down to 6370km)
a. Solid

Uppermost part of mantle:

1. Lithosphere
a. Upper, rigid layer
b. Consists of:
i. Continental crust
ii. Oceanic crust
iii. Lithospheric mantle
2. Asthenosphere
a. Mostly solid, but is hotter than lithosphere & can flow
b. Soft, weak zone over which lithosphere may move
c. 70-150km thick

Why do some regions have high elevations?

1. Granite crust is less dense than underlying mantle
2. Regions w/ high elevations generally have thick curst
3. Curst beneath low-elevation regions is thinner, so the area will probably be under sea
level
4. Oceanic crust is thinner than continental & consists of denser rock
a. As a result, regions underlain w/ oceanic crust are well below sea level

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GEOL 1001 Concept Sketches: Exam 1

Rock cycle:
1. Weathering
a. Rocks are broken down by interaction w/ natural elements
b. Creates sediment
2. Erosion & transport
a. Sediment is moved & transported by natural elements
3. Deposition
a. Sediment is deposited near rivers or rivers mouth
4. Burial & lithification
a. Sediment is buried & compacted
b. Chemicals bind sedimentary grains creating rocks
5. Deformation & metamorphism
a. Forces squeeze & fold rocks
b. Heated & deformed to create metamorphic rock
6. Melting
a. Magma is formed after a rock is exposed to high temps.
7. Solidification
a. As magma cools, it solidifies & hardens
8.