ASVAB - 2022

ASVAB – 2023 Complete And Correct Geology The study of the nature and composition of the rocks and material that make up the Earth, how they were formed, and the physical and chemical processes that have changed earth over time Mineral a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical elements Organic compounds Carbon- containing remains of decomposed plant or animal matter Mineraloids Minerals that lack a defined crystalline structure. 3 fundamental classifications of rocks Sedimentary Igneous Metamorphic Sedimentary rocks - Form at the Earths surface on land and bodies of water - Formed through deposition and cremation of fragments of other rocks, organic matter, and minerals Strata layers of sediment that get pressed into a solid over time when more sediment settles on top Sedimentary rocks are further classified as - Clastic/Detrital - Biochemical - Chemical -Other Clastic/Detrital Sedimentary Rocks Composed of other inorganic rocks or organic particles Biochemical sedimentary rocks Have an organic component like coal which is composed of decayed plant matter Chemical sedimentary rocks Form from a solution containing dissolved materials that became supersaturated and minerals precipitate out of solution. (example: Halite, or rock salt is an example of a chemical sedimentary rock) Other Sedimentary Rocks Rocks from fragments formed by asteroid or comet impacts or from fragments of volcanic lava Igneous Rocks Composed of molten material beneath the Earths surface called magma and are classified based on WHERE the magma cooled and solidified Types of igneous rocks intrusive (plutonic) and extrusive (volcanic), or hypabyssal Intrusive (Plutonic) Igneous Rocks Igneous rocks cool slowly beneath the surface, larger crystals. Tend to have coarse grain, a larger crystalline structure of their mineral constituents, and a rough appearance. (Ex. granite) Extrusive (volcanic) igneous rocks Forms from fast cooling, forms on the surface, small crystals or too small to see, smooth or fine grained appearance. (Ex. glassy obsidian) Hypabyssal igneous rock Formed at levels between intrusive and extrusive (just below the surface) they aren't nearly as common Metamorphic rocks Made when heat, pressure, or fluids change one type of rock into another type of rock (sedimentary, igneous, or other metamorphic rocks) caused by physical and /or chemical change Metamorphic rock classification foliated and non-foliated foliated metamorphic rock Layered or folded, which means they form from compression in one direction and result in visible or banding within the rock (Ex. gneiss or slate) Non-Foliated Metamorphic Rock Receive equals pressure from all directions and thus have a homogenous appearance (Ex. marble) "other rocks" rocks that cannot fit into the criteria of the three rock type category (ex. fossil) Fossil A rock formed from the remains or impression of dead plants or animals, does not fit into biochemical class of rock because fossils themselves are WHOLLY composed of organic material and only formed under strict conditions, although they are commonly found within sedimentary rock plate tectonics a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates that move slowly over the underlying mantle. Lithosphere the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. Asthenosphere The soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats. How many major and minor plates? 9-15 major 40+ minor oceanic plates Thin plates that form the ocean floor; more dense than continental plates. continental plates plates below the continents Fault The line formed by the meeting of two plates (San Andreas Fault where the Pacific and North America plates meet) Convergent plates tectonic plates that collide with each other Divergent plates Two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other, causes volcanic activity and magma escapes to the surface and solidifies, new land yasss transform boundaries Places where tectonic plates slide along beside one another in opposite directions, horizontally, as they move Larger tectonic plates - North American - Eurasian - Pacific - Australian - Antarctic - South American - African - Indian Pangea A supercontinent containing all of Earth's land that existed about 225 million years ago. Earths shape slightly ellipsoid or oblong (like a football) Earth is divided into 3 layers crust, mantle, core Crust and core solid Mantle The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core. convergant boundaries plates can rise to mountain ranges Subduction One plate going under another plate, happens in convergent boundaries where oceanic and continental plates converge and the denser oceanic plate sinks below the continental plate Hot spots can occur within either continental or oceanic plates, when reaching the surface a volcano forms Earthquakes are caused by movement of tectonic plates/ sliding or colliding/ friction can cause an earthquake Geography the study of the earth's layout and features Meridians - vertical lines that measure east to west and are described as longitudinal. - 15 degrees apart from one another Prime Meridian The first line or point of zero, serves as reference line Horizontal