Test Exam for the Earth System Class of ESPACE
23.1.2006
The figures below show the path of S and P waves through our planet
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Describe the major differences between the 2 kind of waves
What do represent the blue, red, yellow and white parts in the figure?
Which image correspond to S and which image correspond to P waves path?
What can you infer from the previous figures about the core of our planet?
Test Exam for the Earth System Class of ESPACE
23.1.2006
The previous figure shows the magnetic anomalies on the Atlantic oceans south of
Iceland (bottom) and a cartoon version of the magnetic strip of the oceans at the top:
 How would explain the pattern of magnetic anomalies?
 Why do you think the real data at the bottom show a much more complex pattern?
 Why the magnetic pattern is symmetric with respect to an axis? What is that axis?
 The cartoon picture shows that the bathymetry (depth of the oceans) increases
moving away from the symmetry axis how would you explain this behavior?
 What the magnetic field tell us about the Earth core?
Test Exam for the Earth System Class of ESPACE
23.1.2006
The 2 figures at the top show a map of the topography and bathymetry (top) and of the
distribution of earthquakes (green) and volcanoes (red) on a global scale. How can you
use them to define the major plates? Why? Draw on the earthquake map at least 2 plates
and write their names. How fast a typical plate moves (respect to what?) ?