mohorovicic discontinuity
Definition
Noun: - The boundary between the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle: A distinct seismic discontinuity marking the transition from the Earth's crust to the denser mantle rock beneath it. It is characterized by a sharp increase in the speed of seismic waves.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Scientists study seismic waves to determine the depth of the Mohorovicic discontinuity.
- The depth of the Mohorovicic discontinuity varies significantly between oceanic and continental regions.
Advanced Usage
- "The Moho": A common abbreviated term for the Mohorovicic discontinuity, used informally in geology and geophysics.
- Drilling to reach the Moho has been a long-standing ambition in earth sciences.
Variants and Related Words
- Moho (n): The abbreviated, informal name for the Mohorovicic discontinuity.
- Discontinuity (n): In geology, a general term for any boundary between different layers of the Earth where seismic wave velocities change abruptly.
Synonyms
- Crust-mantle boundary: A descriptive synonym.
- Moho: The standard abbreviated synonym.
Related Terms
- Seismic discontinuity: A broader category of boundaries within the Earth detected by changes in seismic wave speed, which includes the Mohorovicic discontinuity.
- Conrad discontinuity: A lesser seismic boundary within the Earth's crust, distinct from and above the Mohorovicic discontinuity.
Noun
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the boundary between the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle
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the Mohorovicic discontinuity averages 5 miles down under oceans and 20 miles down under continents
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