AST101H1 Lecture : Chapter 9 notes

• School: UTSG
• Department: Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Course: AST101H1
• Professor: Michael Reid

Document Summary

mars has the solar system s largest volcanoes and a huge canyon cutting across its surface, along with numerous features that have to be shaped by running water. seismic waves are vibrations that travel both through the interior and along the surface after an earthquake. lithosphere is defined by the strength of rock rather than by density. earth has a solid inner core and a molten (liquid) outer core. a planet s outer layer consists of relatively cool and rigid rock, called the lithosphere. smaller planets tend to have thicker lithospheres. Thick lithosphere prevent the flow of molten rock from below making volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountain ranges less likely. geological activity is used to describe the change in surface overtime (e. g: volcanoes, erosion, earthquakes). accretion and differentiation occurred when the planets were young. Radioactive decay provides continuous heat to the interior.