. A team of geologists wants to study hard, solid rock under the surface of Earth. The team is considering drilling down in the North Atlantic Ocean (1) and in Sierra Leone (2). Where will the team find hard, solid rock?

Question

Responses

a
only under 2, because Earth’s outer layer is made of hard, solid rock under continents but not under the ocean
only under 2, because Earth’s outer layer is made of hard, solid rock under continents but not under the ocean

b
under 1 and 2, because Earth’s entire outer layer is made of hard, solid rock
under 1 and 2, because Earth’s entire outer layer is made of hard, solid rock

c
neither under 1 nor 2, because there is water under both places
neither under 1 nor 2, because there is water under both places

d
neither under 1 nor 2, because there is sand and gravel under both places

Answer 1

The correct response is:

a only under 2, because Earth’s outer layer is made of hard, solid rock under continents but not under the ocean.

In the North Atlantic Ocean (1), the crust is primarily composed of oceanic crust, which is thinner and consists of basaltic rock. While there is rock under the ocean, it is generally less accessible than the continental crust, which is found in Sierra Leone (2) and consists of thicker, more solid rock formations.