Chapter 1 Flashcards
Definition: Physical Geology
Geology concerned with Earth materials.
Definition: System
an isolated portion of the universe that can be analyzed
Earth System
The study of earth by analyzing how its components or subsystems, interrelate.
Solid Earth
or the geosphere is the rock and other inorganic material on the earth
Heat Engine
A device that converts heat energy into mechanical energy
Earths internal heat engine
Hot rock moves from the core to the surface
Earths external heat engine
this is driven by solar energy. It typically refers to the moving of the air and water
Lithosphere
The rigid outer shell of Earth, 70 to 125 or more kilometers thick
Asthenosphere
The layer just inter the lithosphere. It acts like a lubricating layer for the lithosphere
Tectonic Forces
Forces that are generated from within the earth that result in uplift, movement, or deformation of part of earths crust.
Theory
A well tested hypothesis that is widely accepted
Hypothesis
A tentative answer to a question or solution to a problem.
Plate tectonics
Regards the lithosphere as broken into plates that are in motion.
Divergent Boundary
When two plates are moving away from each other.
Mid-oceanic ridges
Most of the time they are formed by divergent plate boundaries.
Igneous Rock
Rock that forms when magma solidifies.
Convergent Boundary
When two plates move towards each other. Usually this will only happen at ocean to continent plate boundaries. The oceanic plate is more dense and will be subducted by the continental plate.
Subduction Zone
Where one plate goes underneath another plate.
metamorphic rock
rock that is changed by heat and pressure.
How are Volcanic island arcs created?
When an two oceanic tectonic plate converge and the more dense plate is subducted and volcanoes form. some examples are alaska and the islands that make up Japan.
what happens at a continent-Continent Convergence?
Neither plate subducts and large mountains form. for example the Himalayan belt were mt everest is found.
What happens at a Transform Boundary?
The plates slide horizontally past each other, rather than toward or away. An example is the San Andreas Fault. The land will usually split and miss align.
Isostatic Adjustment
Vertical movement of sections of Earth’s crust to achieve balance.
what can deep time be compared to?
A trip across the united states at the speed of 1 kilometer per 1 million years.
what was the noteworthy life during the Cenozoic period.
Hominids
Mammals
Extinction of dinosaurs
What was the noteworthy life during the Mesozoic period.
First Dinosaurs
What was the noteworthy life during the Paleozoic period.
First Reptiles
fishes became abundant
First abundant fossils
what are the 4 time periods for life on earth in order?
Cenozoic
Mesozoic
Paleozoic
Precambrian
