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Chapter 8: Problem 16

Of the four processes that shape the surface of a terrestrial world, the one with the greatest potential for catastrophic rearrangement is a. impact cratering. b. volcanism. c. tectonism. d. erosion.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. impact cratering.

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the Processes

Identify and briefly understand each of the four processes: impact cratering, volcanism, tectonism, and erosion. Consider which of these could lead to the most dramatic and sudden changes to a terrestrial world's surface.
02

- Analyze Impact Cratering

Impact cratering is caused by collisions with asteroids or comets. These impacts can create large craters and significantly alter the landscape in a very short amount of time.
03

- Analyze Volcanism

Volcanism involves the eruption of magma from a planet's interior to its surface. While it can create mountains and alter topography over time, the changes are usually not as immediate or widespread as impact cratering.
04

- Analyze Tectonism

Tectonism refers to the movement and deformation of a planet's lithosphere. This process can lead to the formation of mountains and earthquakes, but, like volcanism, its effects are generally not as instantaneous or extensive as impact cratering.
05

- Analyze Erosion

Erosion involves the gradual wearing away of a planet's surface by wind, water, or other natural forces. It is a slow process and does not typically cause catastrophic rearrangement.
06

- Identify the Greatest Potential

Compare the potential for catastrophic rearrangement among the four processes. Impact cratering is the most sudden and dramatic, involving significant changes in a very short time frame, unlike the more gradual changes from the other processes.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

impact cratering
Impact cratering occurs when asteroids or comets collide with a terrestrial world's surface. These impacts release enormous amounts of energy and can create craters that are kilometers wide. The event is sudden and dramatic, often leading to the complete rearrangement of the local landscape. Due to the high velocity and energy involved, impact cratering can expel debris far from the impact site, affect the atmosphere, and even cause climatic changes.
Examples:
  • The Chicxulub crater, associated with the extinction of the dinosaurs.
  • The Barringer Crater in Arizona, USA.
volcanism
Volcanism refers to the movement of magma from a planet’s interior to its surface, where it erupts as lava. Over time, volcanism can create mountains, islands, and extensive lava plains. The process itself can be violent, with explosive eruptions releasing ash, gases, and lava. However, despite its potential for causing significant alteration, the changes from volcanism typically occur over longer periods than impact cratering.
Key Points:
  • It forms new landforms.
  • Releases gases that can impact the atmosphere.
  • Can cause temporary environmental disruptions.
Notable examples include the formation of the Hawaiian Islands and Mount St. Helens' eruption in 1980.
tectonism
Tectonism involves the structural deformation of a planet's lithosphere. This process is driven by plate movements and can result in the formation of mountain ranges, earthquakes, and rift valleys. While tectonic activity can be dramatic—particularly in the case of earthquakes—it usually causes localized rather than widespread changes. Over millions of years, tectonism significantly alters a planet's surface.
Highlights:
  • Responsible for major mountain ranges like the Himalayas.
  • Causes earthquakes, which can lead to sudden surface changes.
  • Forms rift valleys like the East African Rift.
erosion
Erosion is the gradual process of wearing away a planet’s surface through natural forces like wind, water, and ice. Unlike the catastrophic events of impact cratering or the sudden eruptions of volcanism, erosion works slowly, sculpting landscapes over extended periods. It can create valleys, canyons, and other geological formations by removing and transporting material.
Key Elements:
  • Influenced by climatic conditions.
  • Forms features like the Grand Canyon.
  • A critical factor in soil generation and landscape shaping.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What are the primary reasons that the surfaces of Venus, Earth, and Mars have been determined to be younger than those of Mercury and the Moon?

_______,_______, and _________, build up structures on the terrestrial planets, while _______ tears them down. a. impacts, erosion, volcanism; tectonism b. impacts, tectonism, volcanism; erosion c. tectonism, volcanism, erosion; impacts d. tectonism, impacts, erosion; volcanism

Explain how scientists know that rock layers at the bottom of Arizona's Grand Canyon are older than those found on the rim.

If radioactive element A decays into radioactive element B with a half-life of 20 seconds, then after 40 seconds a. none of element A will remain. b. none of element B will remain. c. half of element A will remain. d. one-quarter of element A will remain.

Explain some of the geological evidence suggesting that Mars once had liquid water on its surface.
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