Mohorovicic Discontinuity: Defining Earth's Layers
The Mohorovicic discontinuity, often called the Moho, represents a significant boundary within the Earth's structure.
It is defined as the seismic velocity discontinuity that separates:
- Earth's crust (both continental and oceanic)
- From the upper mantle directly beneath it.
This boundary is identified by a sudden increase in the speed of seismic waves as they pass from the crust into the denser mantle material.
Understanding Earth's Layered Structure
To clarify why other options are incorrect:
- Continental shelf and Ocean crust: Both are parts of the Earth's crust, not separated by the Moho.
- Asthenosphere and lithosphere: The boundary between these is the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary, located deeper within the upper mantle. The lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost rigid part of the mantle.
- Core and the mantle: This boundary is known as the Gutenberg discontinuity.
Therefore, the Mohorovicic discontinuity specifically marks the base of the crust and the top of the upper mantle.
Important Questions from Geomorphology
Which one of the following is not an igneous rock?
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Hypocenter is the point on the surface of the Earth, nearest to the focus.
2. Velocity of earthquake waves is higher in denser materials.
3. P waves move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface of the Earth.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneous rock?
The formation of ‘tors’ on small rocky hills is associated with which among the following?
Which one of the following statements about metamorphic rocks is not correct?
