Causes of Earthquakes &

Volcanic Eruptions
SOCIAL STUDIES
GRADE 7
THE STRUCTURE OF EARTH
From the evidence of earthquake waves the Austrian Geologist Suess has
divided the earth into Crust, Mantle and Core.

Crust (Lithosphere, 8-33 km) – the topmost layer of the earth is the crust.

● Types of crust: The continental and oceanic crust.

● Temperature: 12000 C.
● Composition: Oceanic crust is made up of magnesium and basalt, while
continental crust is made of less dense mineral such as aluminium and
granite lighter rock. The oceanic crust is heavier and denser than the
continental crust.
The
Structure of
Earth
THE STRUCTURE OF EARTH
● Mantle (Asthenosphere 2900 km) – The temperature here is 30000 C.
Composition: consists of lower mantle is solid rock and the upper mantle
of molten rock called magma.
● Core (Barysphere 6400 km) – the core is very dense and there is
convectional current. The temperature here is 50000 C. The layers are
composed mostly of Iron and nickel.
PLATE TECTONICS
● The earth’s crust is broken up into pieces called plate.
● Heat rising and falling inside the mantle creates convection current.
● The convection current moves the plates.
● The movement of the plates and the activity inside the earth is called
plate tectonics.

● A plate boundary or margin is where two plates meet

● Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes most commonly occur at or
near plate boundaries
PLATE BOUNDARIES
● There are four main types of plate boundaries:
○ Divergent (constructive)
○ Convergent (destructive)
○ Collision
○ Transform (conservative)
DIVERGENT
● At a divergent boundary the plates are moving apart
● The Mid Atlantic Ridge is an example of a divergent plate
boundary
● Both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can occur at this type of
plate boundary
CONVERGENT
● At a convergent (destructive) plate boundary the plates are moving
towards each other
● The denser, heavier oceanic plate subducts under the lighter, less
dense continental plate
● The boundary between the Nazca plate and the South American
plate is an example
● Both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur at this type of
plate boundary
CONVERGENT
Collision boundary
Collision boundary
● At a collision boundary two plates of similar density move towards
each other
● Neither is dense enough to subduct, so the land is pushed
upwards
● This forms fold mountains such as the Himalayas
● Earthquakes are the main hazard at this type of plate boundary