EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

1. Which two Earth layers are separated by the Moho

boundary?
A) rigid mantle and plastic mantle
B) outer core and stiffer mantle
C) stiffer mantle and asthenosphere
D) crust and rigid mantle
2. A model of Earth's internal structure is shown below.

Analysis of which type of data led to the development

of this model?
A) seismic waves
B) depth of Earth's oceans
C) electromagnetic radiation
D) isobar gradients
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

3. Base your answer to the following question on

the diagram of Earth shown below. Letters B, C, and D represent layers of Earth. Letter Q represents a
location on Earth's surface.

Which letter best represents Earth's mantle?

A) Q B) B C) C D) D
4. Base your answer to the following question on "the cross section below, which shows the paths of
seismic waves traveling from an earthquake epicenter through the different layers of Earth's interior.

"
No P-waves or S-waves are received in the shadow zone because
A) P-waves are absorbed and S-waves are refracted by Earth's outer core
B) P-waves are refracted and S-waves are absorbed by Earth's outer core
C) both the P-waves and S-waves are refracted by Earth's outer core
D) both the P-waves and S-waves are absorbed by Earth's outer core
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

5. Which part of Earth’s interior is inferred to have

convection currents that cause tectonic plates to
move?
A) rigid mantle B) asthenosphere
C) outer core D) inner core
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

6. The graph below shows the different velocities of P-waves and S-waves through Earth's interior.

Which cross section best shows the inferred thickness of Earth's interior layers that cause these
different velocities?
A)

B)
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

C)

D)

7. Earth’s outer core is best inferred to be 9. From the top of the stiffer mantle to the center of
Earth, the rock material is inferred to be
A) liquid, with an average density of approximately
4 g/cm3 A) solid all the way to the center of the inner core
B) liquid, with an average density of B) solid, then liquid to the center of the inner core
approximately 11 g/cm3 C) solid, then liquid, then solid again to the
C) solid, with an average density of approximately center of the inner core
4 g/cm3 D) solid, then liquid, then gaseous to the center of
D) solid, with an average density of approximately the inner core
11 g/cm3 10. The fact that S-waves are unable to travel through
8. Why is Earth’s outer core inferred to be a liquid? the Earth's outer core supports the inference that the
outer core is
A) P-waves can pass through the outer core.
B) P-waves cannot pass through the outer core. A) composed of iron and nickel
C) S-waves can pass through the outer core. B) more dense than the inner core
D) S-waves cannot pass through the outer core. C) hotter than the rock's melting point
D) in the solid state of matter
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

11. The rock between 2,900 kilometers and 5,200 17. Compared to Earth’s continental crust, Earth’s
kilometers below the Earth's surface is inferred to be oceanic crust is
A) an iron-rich solid A) thinner and more dense
B) an iron-rich liquid B) thinner and less dense
C) a silicate-rich solid C) thicker and more dense
D) a silicate-rich liquid D) thicker and less dense
12. Which part of the Earth is most likely a liquid zone? 18. Beneath which surface location is Earth's crust the
thinnest?
A) inner core B) outer core
C) mantle D) crust A) East Pacific Ridge
B) the center of South America
13. In the Earth's interior, which zone has a temperature
higher than its melting point? C) Old Forge, New York
D) San Andreas Fault
A) crust B) stiffer mantle
C) inner core D) outer core
14. The analysis of seismic data from an earthquake
shows that some locations received both P-waves
and S-waves, but other locations received only P
-waves. What is the best inference that can be made
from these observations?
A) A zone of liquid rock exists within the Earth.
B) Iron in some rocks prevents S-waves from
traveling.
C) Some seismographs are more sensitive than
others.
D) S-waves are very weak.
15. Seismic studies of the Moon have helped scientists
to make inferences about
A) water erosion on the Moon
B) weathering on the Moon's surface
C) radioactivity of the Moon's surface rocks
D) the Moon's interior
16. Compared to the oceanic crust, the continental crust
is usually
A) thicker, with a less dense granitic
composition
B) thicker, with a more dense basaltic composition
C) thinner, with a less dense granitic composition
D) thinner, with a more dense basaltic composition
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

19. Base your answer to the following question on "the map below which shows the locations of deep-sea
core drilling sites numbered 1 through 4. The approximate location of the diverging plate at the East
Pacific Ridge is shown by a dashed line. Point A is located on the East Pacific Ridge.

"
Compared to the thickness and density of the continental crust of South America, the oceanic crust of
the Pacific floor is
A) thinner and less dense B) thinner and more dense
C) thicker and less dense D) thicker and more dense
20. Which statement most accurately compares Earth’s
crust and Earth’s mantle?
A) The crust is thinner and less dense than the
mantle.
B) The crust is thinner and more dense than the
mantle.
C) The crust is thicker and less dense than the
mantle.
D) The crust is thicker and more dense than the
mantle.
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

21. Base your answer to the following question on "

the map below, which shows seismic stations X, Y, and Z that have recorded seismic waves from the
same earthquake. The distances from seismic stations X and Y to the earthquake epicenter have been
drawn on the map. Locations A, B, C, and D represent possible earthquake epicenters. The distance
from seismic station Z to the earthquake epicenter has been deliberately omitted.

"
If the earthquake's focus was 2 kilometers below Earth's surface, the earthquake occurred in the
A) lithosphere B) asthenosphere C) stiffer mantle D) outer core
22. Compared to Earth's oceanic crust, Earth's 23. Where is the thickest part of the Earth's crust?
continental crust is
A) at the edge of continental shelves
A) thinner and composed of granite B) at mid-ocean ridges
B) thinner and composed of basalt C) under continental mountain ranges
C) thicker and composed of granite D) under volcanic islands
D) thicker and composed of basalt
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

24. Where is the thickest part of the Earth's crust?

A) at mid-ocean ridges
B) at transform faults
C) under continental mountain ranges
D) under volcanic islands
25. On the map below, locations A and B are reference points on the Earth's surface. Crustal thickness
was measured beneath a line from A to B.

Which graph best represents the thickness of the Earth's crust from location A to location B?
A) B)

C) D)
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

26. The diagram below represents a cross section of a

portion of the Earth's crust.

Which statement about the Earth's crust is best

supported by the diagram?
A) The oceanic crust is thicker than the mantle.
B) The continental crust is thicker than the
oceanic crust.
C) The continental crust is composed primarily of
sedimentary rock.
D) The crust is composed of denser rock than the
mantle is.
27. The interface between the crust and mantle of the
Earth is generally much deeper under continental
surfaces than under ocean surfaces. This information
indicates that
A) the interface varies in an unpredictable manner
B) oceanic crust is thicker than continental crust
C) continental crust is thicker than oceanic
crust
D) both oceanic and continental crusts are
approximately the same thickness
28. To get sample material from the mantle, drilling will
be done through the oceanic crust rather than
through the continental crust because oceanic crust is
A) more dense than continental crust
B) softer than continental crust
C) thinner than continental crust
D) younger than continental crust
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

29. The pie graph below represents the composition, in percent by mass, of the chemical elements found
in an Earth layer.

The composition of which Earth layer is represented by the pie graph?

A) crust B) outer core C) troposphere D) hydrosphere
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

30. Base your answer to the following question on

the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents the
distance and age of ocean-floor bedrock found on both sides of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Which map best represents the pattern of magnetic polarity in the minerals of ocean-floor bedrock on
each side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

A) B)

C) D)

31. Which minerals contain the two most abundant

elements by mass in Earth’s crust?
A) fluorite and calcite
B) magnetite and pyrite
C) amphibole and quartz
D) galena and sulfur
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

32. The most abundant metallic element by mass in 39. The two most abundant elements by mass in Earth’s
Earth's crust makes up 8.23% of the crust. Which crust are oxygen and
group of minerals all normally contain this metallic
A) potassium B) hydrogen
element in their compositions?
C) nitrogen D) silicon
A) garnet, calcite, pyrite, and galena
40. The observed difference in density between
B) biotite mica, muscovite mica, fluorite, and continental crust and oceanic crust is most likely due
halite to differences in their
C) talc, quartz, graphite, and olivine
D) plagioclase feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, A) composition B) thickness
and potassium feldspar C) porosity D) rate of cooling
33. Which mineral is most frequently found in both
granitic continental crust and basaltic oceanic crust?
A) olivine
B) potassium feldspar
C) plagioclase feldspar
D) quartz
34. The interior of Earth between a depth of 5200
kilometers and 6300 kilometers is inferred to be
composed mostly of
A) silicon and iron B) silicon and oxygen
C) iron and lead D) iron and nickel
35. Which element is most abundant in Earth's crust?
A) nitrogen B) hydrogen
C) oxygen D) silicon
36. The basaltic bedrock of the oceanic crust is
classified as
A) felsic, with a density of 2.7 g/cm3
B) felsic, with a density of 3.0 g/cm3
C) mafic, with a density of 2.7 g/cm 3
D) mafic, with a density of 3.0 g/cm 3
37. Which group of elements is listed in increasing order
based on the percent by mass in Earth’s crust?
A) aluminum, iron, calcium
B) aluminum, silicon, magnesium
C) magnesium, iron, aluminum
D) magnesium, silicon, calcium
38. Compared to the continental crust, the oceanic crust
is
A) less dense and less felsic
B) less dense and less mafic
C) more dense and more felsic
D) more dense and more mafic
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

41. Base your answer to the following question on "the map below. The map shows the continents of
Africa and South America, the ocean between them, and the ocean ridge and transform faults.
Locations A and D are on the continents. Locations B and C are on the ocean floor.

"
Which table best shows the relative densities of the crustal bedrock at locations A, B, C, and D?
A) B)

C) D)

42. What are the two most abundant elements by mass

found in Earth's crust?
A) aluminum and iron
B) sodium and chlorine
C) calcium and carbon
D) oxygen and silicon
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

43. Base your answer to the following question on the cross section below, which shows a portion of
Earth’s crust and upper mantle near a mid-ocean ridge.

If crust 2 represents basalt with normal magnetic polarity, what does crust 3 most likely represent?
A) igneous rock with normal magnetic polarity
B) igneous rock with reversed magnetic polarity
C) sedimentary rock with normal magnetic polarity
D) sedimentary rock with reversed magnetic polarity
44. Compared to continental crust, oceanic crust is 49. In the diagram below, letters A and B represent
locations near the edge of a continent.
A) less dense, more mafic, and thinner
B) less dense, more felsic, and thicker
C) more dense, more mafic, and thinner
D) more dense, more felsic, and thicker
45. What is the approximate percentage by volume of
oxygen in the crust of the Earth?
A) 20% B) 30% C) 70% D) 90%
46. Which two elements make up the greatest volume of
the Earth's crust?
A) silicon and potassium A geologist who compares nonsedimentary rock
samples from locations A and B would probably find
B) silicon and iron
that the samples from location A contain
C) iron and nickel
D) oxygen and potassium A) more granite
B) more basalt
47. Compared to the continental crust, the oceanic crust
C) more fossils
is
D) the same minerals and fossils
A) thicker B) more dense
50. Oxygen is the most abundant element by volume in
C) more granitic D) more felsic
the Earth's
48. The most abundant element in the Earth's crust is
A) inner core B) troposphere
A) nitrogen B) oxygen C) hydrosphere D) crust
C) silicon D) hydrogen
51. Most of the oceanic crust is composed of rock
material similar to
A) basalt B) granite
C) sandstone D) limestone
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

52. Compared to the continental crust of central North

America, the oceanic crust of the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge is
A) younger B) thicker
C) less dense D) more felsic
53. Which element in the Earth's crust makes up the
largest volume of most minerals?
A) oxygen B) nitrogen
C) hydrogen D) iron
54. How does the oceanic crust compare to the
continental crust?
A) The oceanic crust is thinner and contains less
basalt.
B) The oceanic crust is thinner and contains
more basalt.
C) The oceanic crust is thicker and contains less
basalt.
D) The oceanic crust is thicker and contains more
basalt.
55. Which element is most abundant by mass in the
Earth's crust?
A) nitrogen B) oxygen
C) silicon D) iron
56. The pie graph below represents the composition, in percent by mass, of the chemical elements found
in an Earth layer.

The composition of which Earth layer is represented by the pie graph?

A) crust B) outer core C) troposphere D) hydrosphere
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

57. What are the four most abundant elements, by 62. The inferred temperature and pressure of Earth's
volume, in the Earth's crust? interior at a depth of 3,000 kilometers are
approximately
A) oxygen, potassium, sodium, and calcium
B) hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and potassium A) 1000°C and 0.5 million atmospheres
C) aluminum, iron, silicon, and magnesium B) 1000°C and 1.0 million atmospheres
D) aluminum, calcium, hydrogen, and iron C) 5000°C and 1.5 million atmospheres
D) 5000°C and 3.0 million atmospheres
58. Which two elements listed below are most abundant
by weight in the Earth's crust?
A) silicon and oxygen
B) hydrogen and iron
C) oxygen and magnesium
D) hydrogen and calcium
59. The pressure at the interface between Earth's outer
core and inner core is inferred to be
A) 0.2 million atmosphere
B) 1.5 million atmospheres
C) 3.1 million atmospheres
D) 3.6 million atmospheres
60. What are the inferred pressure and temperature at the
boundary of Earth's stiffer mantle and outer core?
A) 1.5 million atmospheres pressure and an
interior temperature of 4950°C
B) 1.5 million atmospheres pressure and an interior
temperature of 6200°C
C) 3.1 million atmospheres pressure and an interior
temperature of 4950°C
D) 3.1 million atmospheres pressure and an interior
temperature of 6200°C
61. What caused the interior of Earth to separate into
layers?
A) a decrease in the rate of rotation of Earth
B) the gravitational pull on materials of varying
densities
C) variations in heating by the Sun due to Earth's
tilt
D) collisions with meteors and comets
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

63. Which graph best shows the range of density in each of Earth's layers?
A) B)

C) D)

Base your answers to questions 64 through 67 on the diagram below, which represents zones of
Earth's interior, identified by letters A through E. The scale shows depths below Earth's surface,
measured in kilometers.

64. The Moho is a boundary located in zone

A) A B) B C) E D) D
65. What is the approximate thickness of zone C?
A) 650 km B) 1600 km C) 2250 km D) 2900 km
66. Which zone of Earth's interior has a density closest to the densities of the other terrestrial planets?
A) zone A B) zone E C) zone C D) zone D
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

67. Which zone is characterized by partially melted rock and large-scale convection currents?
A) zone A B) zone B C) zone C D) zone E

68. The inferred temperature at the interface between the

stiffer mantle and the asthenosphere is closest to
A) 1000°C B) 2500°C
C) 4500°C D) 5000°C
Base your answers to questions 69 through 71 on the cross section below, which shows the boundary
between two lithospheric plates. Point X is a location in the continental lithosphere. The depth below
Earth's surface is labeled in kilometers.

69. Compared to the continental crust, the oceanic crust is

A) less dense and thinner B) less dense and thicker
C) more dense and thinner D) more dense and thicker
70. Point X is located in which Earth layer?
A) rigid mantle B) stiffer mantle C) asthenosphere D) outer core
71. The temperature of the asthenosphere at the depth where melting first occurs is inferred to be
approximately
A) 100°C B) 1300°C C) 4200°C D) 5000°C
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

72. The diagram below shows the cutaway views of the inferred interior layers of the planets Mercury
and Venus.

What is the reason for the development of the interior layers of these two planets?
A) Impact events added the mantle rock above the cores.
B) Heat from the Sun melted the surface rocks to form the mantles above the cores.
C) Gravity separated the cores and mantles due to their density differences.
D) Rapid heat loss caused the cores to solidify before the mantles.
73. Which combination of temperature and pressure is 77. Why does the oceanic crust sink beneath the
inferred to occur within Earth’s stiffer mantle? continental crust at a subduction boundary?
A) 3500°C and 0.4 million atmospheres A) The oceanic crust has a greater density.
B) 3500°C and 2.0 million atmospheres B) The oceanic crust is pulled downward by
C) 5500°C and 0.4 million atmospheres Earth’s magnetic field.
D) 5500°C and 2.0 million atmospheres C) The continental crust has a more mafic
composition.
74. What happens to the density and temperature of rock
D) The continental crust is pulled upward by the
within Earth’s interior as depth increases?
Moon’s gravity.
A) density decreases and temperature decreases
B) density decreases and temperature increases
C) density increases and temperature increases
D) density increases and temperature decreases
75. Which temperature is inferred to exist in Earth’s
plastic mantle?
A) 2000°C B) 3000°C
C) 5000°C D) 6000°C
76. What is Earth’s inferred interior pressure, in millions
of atmospheres, at a depth of 3500 kilometers?
A) 1.9 B) 2.8 C) 5500 D) 6500
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

78. Which graph best shows the inferred density of Earth's interior as depth increases from the upper
mantle to the lower mantle?
A) B)

C) D)

79. Which statement correctly describes the density of 80. Which conditions normally can be found in Earths
Earth’s mantle compared to the density of Earth’s asthenosphere, producing a partial melting of
core and crust? ultramafic rock?
A) The mantle is less dense than the core but A) temperature = l,000°C; pressure = 10 million
more dense than the crust. atmospheres
B) The mantle is less dense than both the core and B) temperature = 2,000°C; pressure = 0.1
the crust. million atmospheres
C) The mantle is more dense than the core but less C) temperature = 3,500°C; pressure = 0.5 million
dense than the crust. atmospheres
D) The mantle is more dense than both the core D) temperature = 6,000°C; pressure = 4 million
and the crust. atmospheres
81. What is the inferred temperature at the boundary
between Earth’s stiffer mantle and outer core?
A) 2,500°C B) 4,500°C
C) 5,000°C D) 6,200°C
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

82. When a continental crustal plate collides with an 86. Base your answer to the following question on "
oceanic crustal plate, the continental crust is forced the diagram below, which shows a portion of Earth's
to move over the oceanic crust. What is the primary interior. Point A is a location on the interface
reason that the continental crust stays on top of the between layers.
oceanic crust?
A) Continental crust is less dense.
B) Continental crust deforms less easily.
C) Continental crust melts at higher temperatures.
D) Continental crust contains more mafic minerals.
83. The density of Earth’s crust is
A) less than the density of the outer core but
greater than the density of the mantle
B) greater than the density of the outer core but
less than the density of the mantle
C) less than the density of both the outer core
and the mantle "
D) greater than the density of both the outer core The temperature of rock at location A is
and the mantle approximately
84. In which layer of Earth’s interior is the pressure A) 600°C B) 1,000°C
inferred to be 1.0 million atmospheres? C) 2,600°C D) 3,000°C
A) outer core B) inner core
C) rigid mantle D) stiffer mantle
85. Compared to Earth’s crust, Earth’s core is believed
to be
A) less dense, cooler, and composed of more iron
B) less dense, hotter, and composed of less iron
C) more dense, hotter, and composed of more
iron
D) more dense, cooler, and composed of less iron
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

Base your answers to questions 87 and 88 on the

diagram below, which shows a cutaway view of
Earth in which the interior layers are visible. The
paths of earthquake waves generated at point X are
shown. A, B, C, and D are locations of seismic
stations on Earth's surface, and point E is located in
Earth's interior.

87. Both P-waves and S-waves were received at seismic

stations A and B, but only P-waves were received at
seismic stations C and D. Which statement best
explains why this occurred?
A) S-waves are much weaker than P-waves.
B) S-waves travel faster than P-waves.
C) The liquid outer core prevents S-waves from
traveling to seismic stations C and D.
D) The solid outer core prevents S-waves from
traveling to seismic stations C and D.
88. The actual rock temperature at point E is inferred to
be approximately
A) 1,500ºC B) 2,900ºC
C) 5,000ºC D) 6,200ºC

89. The pressure at the interface between the mantle and

the outer core of Earth is inferred to be
approximately
A) 1.0 million atomspheres
B) 1.4 million atmospheres
C) 3.0 million atmospheres
D) 3.4 million atmospheres
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

Base your answers to questions 90 through 94 on the diagram below which represents three cross
sections of the Earth at different locations to a depth of 50 kilometers below sea level. The
measurements given with each cross section indicate the thickness and the density of the layers.

90. The division of the Earth's interior into crust and mantle, as shown in the diagram, is based primarily
on the study of
A) radioactive dating B) seismic waves
C) volcanic eruptions D) gravity measurements
91. Which statement about the Earth's mantle is confirmed by the diagram?
A) The mantle is liquid.
B) The mantle has the same composition as the crust.
C) The mantle is located at different depths below the Earth's surface.
D) The mantle does not exist under continental mountains.
92. Compared with the oceanic crust, the continental crust is
A) thinner and less dense B) thinner and more dense
C) thicker and less dense D) thicker and more dense
93. Which material is most likely to be found 20 kilometers below sea level at the continental mountain
location?
A) basalt B) granite C) shale D) limestone
94. In which group are the layers of the Earth arranged in order of increasing average density?
A) mantle, crust, ocean water B) crust, mantle, ocean water
C) ocean water, mantle, crust D) ocean water, crust, mantle
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

95. What is the approximate temperature at the 98. Base your answer to the following question on the
mantle-outer core boundary? information and the cross section below. The cross
section represents a possible model of the Moon's
A) 1,500°C B) 4,500°C
interior.
C) 5,000ºC D) 7,000ºC
96. An earthquake shear wave generally travels faster as Seismographs left on the Moon by astronauts have
the wave moves deeper into Earth's interior because provided enough data to develop a model of the
greater depths have Moon's interior. Scientists believe that the Moon has
a layered interior and that its crustal thickness varies
A) less confining pressure
greatly from one side of the Moon to the other.
B) lower melting points
C) greater rock density
D) greater rock temperatures
97. In which area of Earth's interior is the pressure most
likely to be 2.5 million atmospheres?
A) asthenosphere B) stiffer mantle
C) inner core D) outer core

If the pressure, temperature, and density patterns of

the Moon's interior are similar to those of the Earth's
interior, which statement best describes the Moon's
characteristics?
A) Pressure, temperature, and density all
increase with depth.
B) Pressure increases with depth, but temperature
and density remain the same.
C) Pressure and temperature increase with depth,
but density remains the same.
D) Pressure, temperature, and density remain the
same at all depths.
99. At a depth of 2,000 kilometers, the temperature of
the stiffer mantle is inferred to be
A) 6,500ºC B) 4,200ºC
C) 3,500ºC D) 1,800ºC
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

100. As depth within the Earth's interior increases, the 106. What is the range of pressure in Earth's interior
where rock with a density range of 9.9 to 12.2 g/cm
A) density, temperature, and pressure decrease 3 is found?
B) density, temperature, and pressure increase
C) density and temperature decrease, but pressure A) 0.2 to 1.4 million atmospheres
increases B) 0.8 to 2.3 million atmospheres
D) density decreases, but temperature and C) 1.4 to 3.1 million atmospheres
pressure increase D) 2.3 to 3.5 million atmospheres
101. In which part of the Earth is a rock temperature of 107. At 4,500 kilometers below the surface of the Earth,
2,000ºC most likely to occur? the pressure is estimated to be
A) continental crust A) 1.4 million atmospheres
B) asthenosphere (plastic mantle) B) 2.0 million atmospheres
C) stiffer mantle C) 2.8 million atmospheres
D) outer core D) 3.1 million atmospheres
102. Which statement best explains why the direction of 108. Which statement about the Earth's mantle is
some seismic waves changes sharply as the waves correct?
travel through the Earth?
A) The density of the mantle is greatest 300 km
A) The Earth is spherical. below the Earth's surface.
B) Seismic waves tend to travel in curved paths. B) The highest temperatures within the Earth
C) The temperature of the Earth's interior occur in the mantle.
decreases with depth. C) The greatest pressures within the Earth exist in
D) Different parts of the Earth's interior have the mantle.
different densities. D) The temperature of the mantle 300 km
below the Earth's surface is very near its
103. The temperature at the center of the Earth is
melting point.
estimated to be
109. A part of which zone of the Earth's interior is
A) 1,000 K B) 2,800 K
inferred to have a density of 10.0 grams per cubic
C) 5,000 K D) 6,800 K centimeter?
104. Approximately how far below the Earth's surface is
A) crust B) mantle
the interface between the mantle and the outer
C) outer core D) inner core
core?
110. What is the relationship between density,
A) 5 to 30 km
temperature, and pressure inside the Earth?
B) 700 to 900 km
C) 2,900 to 3,000 km A) As depth increases, density, temperature, and
D) 5,000 to 5,200 km pressure decrease.
B) As depth increases, density and temperature
105. The source of energy for the high temperatures increase, but pressure decreases.
found deep within the Earth is
C) As depth increases, density increases, but
A) tidal friction temperature and pressure decrease.
B) incoming solar radiation D) As depth increases, density, temperature,
C) decay of radioactive materials and pressure increase.
D) meteorite bombardment of the Earth
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

111. In which zone of the Earth's interior is the melting 115. Which graph best represents the relationship
point of the rock inferred to be lower than the between depth and density for the Earth's interior?
actual temperature of the rock?
A)
A) outer core B) inner core
C) crust D) mantle
112. In which group are the zones of the Earth's interior
correctly arranged in order of increasing average
density? B)
A) crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
B) crust, mantle, inner core, outer core
C) inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
D) outer core, inner core, mantle, crust
113. The rate of temperature increase below the Earth's C)
surface is greatest between depths of
A) 250 and 500 km
B) 1500 and 2500 km
C) 2500 and 3500 km
D) 3500 and 4000 km D)

114. The temperature of rock located 1,000 kilometers

below the Earth's surface is about
A) 200 K B) 2,100 K
C) 2,800 K D) 3,200 K
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

116. Base your answer to the following question on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth
science.

Island Arcs

Island arcs are long, curved chains of oceanic islands associated with seismic activity and
mountain-building processes at certain plate boundaries. They occur where oceanic tectonic
plates collide. Along one side of these island arcs, there is usually a long, narrow deep-sea
trench.
At island arcs, the denser plate is subducted and is forced into the partially molten mantle
under the less dense plate. The islands are composed of the extrusive igneous rocks basalt and
andesite. The basalt originates most likely from the plastic mantle. The andesite originates most
likely from the melting of parts of the descending plate and sediments that had accumulated on
its surface.
Most of the basalt that forms island arcs comes from the
A) crust B) rigid mantle C) asthenosphere D) stiffer mantle
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

Base your answers to questions 117 through 119 on the passage and cross section below and on your
knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents one theory of the movement of rock
materials in Earth's dynamic interior. Some mantle plumes that are slowly rising from the boundary
between Earth's outer core and stiffer mantle are indicated.

Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes

Research of mantle hot spots indicates that mantle plumes form in a variety of sizes and shapes.
These mantle plumes range in diameter from several hundred kilometers to 1000 kilometers.
Some plumes rise as blobs rather than in a continuous streak; however, most plumes are long,
slender columns of hot rock slowly rising in Earth's stiffer mantle. One theory is that most plumes
form at the boundary between the outer core and the stiffer mantle. They may reach Earth's
surface in the center of plates or at plate boundaries, producing volcanoes or large domes.

117. The basaltic rock that forms volcanic mountains where mantle plumes reach Earth's surface is
usually composed of
A) fine-grained, dark-colored felsic minerals
B) fine-grained, dark-colored mafic minerals
C) coarse-grained, light-colored felsic minerals
D) coarse-grained, light-colored mafic minerals
118. At which depth below Earth's surface is the boundary between Earth's outer core and stiffer mantle
located?
A) 700 km B) 2000 km C) 2900 km D) 5100 km
119. Compared to the surrounding material, mantle plumes rise toward Earth's surface from the
core-mantle boundary because they are
A) cooler and less dense B) cooler and more dense
C) hotter and less dense D) hotter and more dense
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

120. Earth’s inner core is inferred to be solid based on

the analysis of
A) seismic waves
B) crustal rocks
C) radioactive decay rates
D) magnetic pole reversals
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

121. Base your answer to the following question on "cross section below, which shows an underwater
mountain range in the Atlantic Ocean. The oceanic bedrock is composed mainly of basalt. Points X
and Y are locations in the bedrock that have been diverging at the same rate. The movement of the
North American Plate and Eurasian Plate is shown by the two arrows.

"
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

Which cross section best represents the relative locations of Earth's asthenosphere, rigid mantle, and
stiffer mantle? (The cross sections are not drawn to scale.)
A)

B)

C)

D)

122. Scientists have inferred the structure of Earth’s 123. Earth’s outer core and inner core are both inferred
interior mainly by analyzing to be
A) the Moon’s interior A) liquid
B) the Moon’s composition B) solid
C) Earth’s surface features C) composed of a high percentage of iron
D) Earth’s seismic data D) under the same pressure
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

124. Andrija Mohorovicic discovered the interface

between the crust and the mantle that is now named
for him. His discovery of the “Moho” was based on
analysis of
A) landscape boundaries
B) continental coastlines
C) erosional surfaces
D) seismic waves
125. Most inferences about the characteristics of Earth’s
mantle and core are based on
A) the behavior of seismic waves in Earth’s
interior
B) well drillings from Earth’s mantle and core
C) chemical changes in exposed and weathered
metamorphic rocks
D) comparisons between Moon rocks and Earth
rocks
126. Geologists have used information about the
composition of meteorites to make inferences about
Earth’s
A) core properties
B) atmospheric structure
C) asthenosphere location
D) continental-crust thickness
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

Base your answers to questions 127 through 131 on 129. Which graph best represents the relationship
the diagram below which represents Earth's interior between depth below Earth's surface and density?
zones.
A)

B)

127. Scientists have classified Earth's interior into the

zones shown based primarily on evidence gained C)
by studying
A) deep drill cores
B) volcanic eruptions
C) gravity measurements
D) earthquake seismic waves
128. The thinnest section of Earth's crust is found
D)
beneath
A) oceans B) desert regions
C) coastal plains D) mountain regions

130. In which layer of Earth's interior is the inferred

temperature 6,000°C?
A) crust B) mantle
C) outer core D) inner core
131. The composition of Earth's core is thought to be the
same as the composition of many
A) meteorites B) volcanic ashes
C) granites D) basalts
 EARTH'S INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

132. The photograph below shows a large crater located 133. The Earth's core is believed to be composed
in the southwestern United States. primarily of
A) oxygen and silicon
B) aluminum and silicon
C) iron and nickel
D) carbon and iron
134. Many scientists infer the composition of the Earth's
core to be similar to the composition of
A) metallic meteorites
B) Moon rocks
C) the mantle
Some fragments taken from the site have a D) the oceanic crust
nickel-iron composition. This evidence indicates 135. Theories about the composition of the Earth's core
that the crater probably was formed by are supported by meteorites that are composed
A) the impact of a meteorite from space primarily of
B) the collapse of a cavern roof A) oxygen and silicon
C) an eruption of a volcano B) aluminum and iron
D) an underwater explosion of steam C) aluminum and oxygen
D) iron and nickel
 Answer Key
EARTHS INTERIOR MEGA PACKET MC

1. D 37. C 73. A 109. C

2. A 38. D 74. C 110. D
3. B 39. D 75. A 111. A
4. B 40. A 76. A 112. A
5. B 41. B 77. A 113. A
6. B 42. D 78. B 114. D
7. B 43. B 79. A 115. A
8. D 44. C 80. B 116. C
9. C 45. D 81. C 117. B
10. C 46. D 82. A 118. C
11. B 47. B 83. C 119. C
12. B 48. B 84. D 120. A
13. D 49. A 85. C 121. A
14. A 50. D 86. C 122. D
15. D 51. A 87. C 123. C
16. A 52. A 88. C 124. D
17. A 53. A 89. B 125. A
18. A 54. B 90. B 126. A
19. B 55. B 91. C 127. D
20. A 56. A 92. C 128. A
21. A 57. A 93. B 129. D
22. C 58. A 94. D 130. C
23. C 59. C 95. C 131. A
24. C 60. A 96. C 132. A
25. D 61. B 97. D 133. C
26. B 62. C 98. A 134. A
27. C 63. A 99. B 135. D
28. C 64. A 100. B
29. A 65. C 101. B
30. B 66. C 102. D
31. C 67. B 103. D
32. D 68. B 104. C
33. C 69. C 105. C
34. D 70. A 106. C
35. C 71. B 107. C
36. D 72. C 108. D