
Essentials of Geology
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780393919394
Author: Marshak, Stephen
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Question
Chapter 15, Problem 2RQ
To determine
The lithospheric differences between the continent and abyssal plains.
Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 2RQ
The lithosphere beneath the continent is much thicker than the lithosphere beneath an abyssal plain.
Explanation of Solution
The Earth’s lithosphere consists of the crust and a portion of the upper mantle. Abyssal plains are the underwater smooth horizontal ocean floors on the Earth’s surface and are commonly found at depths between 3000 m to 6000 m.
The lithosphere beneath a continent is thicker, and the crustal parts mainly consist of granite, diorite, sedimentary rocks, and sediments. The lithosphere beneath an abyssal plain is thinner, and it consists of basalt and gabbro.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Tell us how a geomatics student job position aligns with your studies and career goals.
Name three of the key cartographic components of a map.
Describe in your own words how maps or mapping applications support government decision-making
Knowledge Booster
Similar questions
- Name three advantages of using GIS toolsarrow_forward9. In fieldwork-based research, which of the following involves the use of on-site instruments but would be less appropriate for low-frequency events like landslides or extreme floods? a. an ergodic approach b. environmental monitoring c. sampling across spacearrow_forward7. _ The climate-change scientist Mike Hulme has argued that people who tend to see nature as tolerant, and who believe that global climate properties would likely respond very favourably to certain planetary geo-engineering solutions, tend to be: a. egalitarians. b. hierarchists. c. individualists.arrow_forward
- Cronon’s Research on Wilderness – Consider Cronon’s study of wilderness, as discussed by Kanazawa (2023). In what ways, if any, would it have been appropriate for Cronon to have used quantitative methods in his study of the concept of wilderness, and to what end? Why were qualitative methods particularly appropriate for the study, given the nature of his research topic? 150-200 words response to the questionarrow_forwardConsider Cronon’s study of wilderness, as discussed by Kanazawa (2023). In what ways, if any, would it have been appropriate for Cronon to have used quantitative methods in his study of the concept of wilderness, and to what end? Why were qualitative methods particularly appropriate for the study, given the nature of his research topic?arrow_forwardWhy might drought actually cause fire risk to reduce in a desert area?arrow_forward
- Part 1: A completely saturated sample of sandstone has a bulk density of 2.61 g/cm³, an effective porosity of 10 percent, and a total porosity of 12 percent. Determine the density of the solid phase (i.e., the density of the mineral). Part 2: One cubic meter of quartz sand has a dry mass of 2,320 kg. a) Calculate the porosity of the sand. b) Calculate the mass (in kg) of the sand for the following degrees of saturation: 25 percent, 75 percent, 100 percent. Part 3: A sample of quartz sand has a dry mass of 753.7 kg and a volume of 0.36 m³. a) Calculate the porosity of the sand. b) Calculate the mass (in kg) of the sand assuming a degree of saturation equal to 62 percent.arrow_forwardWhat is an oxbow lake and how is it formed?arrow_forwardFor the past 3 million years the earth has experienced glacial-interglacial cycles at regular intervals that coincide with the Milankovitch Cycles. Please briefly describe the three Milankovitch Cycles and their timescales. What is the leading theory for why the timing of glacial-interglacial cycles is connected to these Milankovitch Cycles?arrow_forward
- Why do waterfalls move backwards over time? In your explanation, please use the term “nickpoint”?arrow_forwardThe picture below is of the Kaskawulsh Glacier in Yukon, Canada. What is the name of the type of feature that the red arrows are pointing to in the middle of the glacier and how are these features formed? In your answer please also define the term lateral moraine and how lateral moraines relate to the feature with the red arrows?arrow_forwardit was stated that one major effect of rivers is to flatten out the continents. How do rivers flatten continents?arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
- Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...Earth ScienceISBN:9780134746241Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONExercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134041360Author:Greg CarbonePublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental ScienceEarth ScienceISBN:9781260153125Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham ProfessorPublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
- Earth Science (15th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134543536Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental Science (MindTap Course List)Earth ScienceISBN:9781337569613Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott SpoolmanPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysical GeologyEarth ScienceISBN:9781259916823Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, LisaPublisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON

Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134041360
Author:Greg Carbone
Publisher:PEARSON

Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:9781260153125
Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education

Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134543536
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON

Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:9781337569613
Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:Cengage Learning

Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:9781259916823
Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,