Mastering Astronomy, Astronomy 2, Chapter 9

What is the most important long-lasting internal heat source responsible for geological activity?

In general, what kind of planet would you expect to have the thickest lithosphere?

Which of a planet's fundamental properties has the greatest effect on its level of volcanic and tectonic activity?

What is the name of the outer rigid layer of a planet?

Which describes our understanding of flowing water on Mars?

What do we conclude if a planet has few impact craters of any size?

How many of the five terrestrial worlds have surfaces being constantly reshaped by plate tectonics?

On how many of the five terrestrial worlds has erosion been an important process?

How many of the terrestrial worlds have lava plains or shield volcanoes?

How many of the five terrestrial worlds are considered "geologically dead"?

Which of the following describes tectonics?

Which of the following describes erosion?

Why do we think Mercury has so many tremendous cliffs?

True/False The strength of a rock depends on its composition, its temperature, and the surrounding pressure.

True/False Very high pressures, like those found deep within planetary interiors, can compress rocks so much that they stay solid even when temperatures are high enough to melt them under ordinary conditions.

True/False The magnetic and rotational north poles on the earth are the same.

Vocabulary in Context: Plate Tectonics : 1. The slowly increasing distance between South America and Africa is due to ..... 2. Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park in the United States acquires its energy from a hot spot. .... 3. Layered .... exposed by erosion can be seen when looking at the Grand Canyon in the United States. 4. Australia is composed of relatively old and thick .... 5. The extremely deep ocean Marianas Trench is a result of ... 6. ..... found in the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe is composed of dense and relatively young rock 7. The earthquakes that occur in Southern California generally occur above a .....

Visual Activity: Exploring the Surface Features of Mars I : A. Assuming that features you see on Mars are similar to features found on Earth, what would a casual inspection of the interactive photo of Mars lead you to suspect about water on Mars? B. Which of the following Mars surface features provides dramatic evidence that volcanism has played a role in shaping the surface of Mars? C. When you zoom in on the section labeled "Southern Highlands," which geologic processes are most clearly evident?