1. What does the bimodal altitude distribution of Earth's surface represent?
2. What are the main rocks that compose the oceanic crust?
3. What is the primary role of continental crust rocks like granite in Earth's geology?
Bimodal Altitude Distribution — definition?
Two distinct peaks: oceanic (-4500 m) and continental (+300 m).
Crust composition — continental rocks?
Primarily granite, silica-rich, coarse-grained, ~2.7 density.
Crust composition — oceanic rocks?
Mainly basalt and gabbro, mafic, denser (~2.9), fine- to coarse-grained.
Moho discontinuity — role?
Separates crust from mantle, marked by seismic velocity increase.
Gutenberg discontinuity — depth?
Approximately 2900 km, separates mantle from outer core.
Lehmann discontinuity — significance?
Divides outer liquid core from inner solid core at ~5100 km.
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