Tectonics and Rock Cycle

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
Across
  1. 2. Solid materials whose atoms are arranged in an ordered, repeating pattern. Crystallization can occur from cooling magma, precipitation from solution, or metamorphic processes.
  2. 7. A tectonic boundary where two plates move away from each other, resulting in the formation of new crust as magma rises to the surface, typically found at mid-ocean ridges.
  3. 8. A horseshoe-shaped zone of high seismic and volcanic activity that encircles the Pacific Ocean, characterized by numerous volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, primarily due to tectonic plate boundaries.
  4. 9. The process of breaking down rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface through physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms, leading to the formation of soil and sediment.
  5. 11. A type of sedimentary rock composed primarily of sand-sized mineral grains, commonly quartz, and formed through the compaction and cementation of sand deposits.
  6. 13. The thick layer of semi-solid rock located between the Earth's crust and core, extending to about 2,900 kilometers deep. It is involved in the convection currents that drive plate tectonics.
  7. 14. Elements that are typically characterized by high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, ductility, and luster. Many metals are derived from mineral ores through extraction processes.
  8. 15. The innermost layer of the Earth, composed primarily of iron and nickel, which exists in a solid state in the inner core and a liquid state in the outer core. It plays a crucial role in generating the Earth's magnetic field.
  9. 16. A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 to 175 million years ago. It eventually broke apart due to the processes of continental drift.
  10. 18. A tectonic boundary where two plates slide past one another horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes and is exemplified by the San Andreas Fault in California.
  11. 20. The process by which sediments settle out of a fluid (such as water or air) and accumulate in layers, ultimately leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks.
  12. 22. A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks and are classified based on their chemical and physical properties.
  13. 24. The thin, outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of solid rock that varies in thickness and composition, forming the continents and ocean floors. It is divided into continental and oceanic crust.
  14. 25. Rock formed from the solidification of molten magma or lava. It is classified as intrusive (plutonic) if formed beneath the Earth's surface or extrusive (volcanic) if formed on the surface.
  15. 26. A sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate, often formed from the accumulation of biological debris such as shells and corals. It is commonly used in construction and industrial processes.
  16. 27. The geological process in which one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle, often creating deep ocean trenches and associated volcanic activity.
Down
  1. 1. The semi-fluid layer of the upper mantle that lies beneath the lithosphere, characterized by its ability to flow slowly, facilitating the movement of tectonic plates above it.
  2. 3. A conceptual model that describes the continuous processes through which rocks are formed, altered, destroyed, and reformed over geological time, linking the three main rock types.
  3. 4. Rock formed from the compaction and cementation of sediment particles, often layered and containing fossils, providing important geological and paleontological records.
  4. 5. Underwater mountain ranges formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates move apart. They are sites of seafloor spreading and are characterized by hydrothermal activity.
  5. 6. A scientific theory that describes the large-scale movement of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. This movement accounts for geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and continental drift.
  6. 10. A tectonic boundary where two plates collide or move towards each other, often resulting in subduction, mountain building, or the formation of volcanic arcs.
  7. 12. The hypothesis that continents have moved across the Earth's surface over geological time, leading to their current positions. This theory was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century.
  8. 17. Molten rock located beneath the Earth's surface, which can crystallize to form igneous rock upon cooling. It can also lead to volcanic eruptions when it rises to the surface.
  9. 19. Particulate matter that is transported and deposited by wind, water, or ice, including fragments of rocks, minerals, and organic materials. Sediments can accumulate to form sedimentary rocks.
  10. 21. A large area of exposed Precambrian crystalline rock, typically found at the core of continents. Shields are characterized by their stability and resistance to geological activity.
  11. 22. Rock that has been transformed from an original rock type (igneous, sedimentary, or another metamorphic rock) through heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids, resulting in changes in mineralogy and texture.
  12. 23. A naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids. Rocks are classified into three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.