Chapter 8 Vocab Flashcards
core
The innermost zone of Earth’s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. It includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer
mantle
The layer of Earth above the core, containing magma
crust
In geology, the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere
lithosphere
The outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust
convergent boundary
An area where plates move toward one another and collide
hot spots
In geology, a place where molten material from Earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere
plate tectonics
The theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion
oceanic plates
Lie underneath ocean. Dense and rich in iron
continental plates
Lie beneath landmasses. Contains more silicon dioxide. Plates less dense than oceanic.
earthquake
The sudden movement of Earth’s crust caused by a release of potential energy along a geologic fault and usually causing a vibration or trembling at Earth’s surface
subduction
The process of one crustal plate passing under another
richter scale
A scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake
rock cycle
The geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock -material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion, among other processes
transform fault boundary
An area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other
sedimentary rocks
Rocks that forms when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments
metamorphic rocks
Rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure
physical weathering
The mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals
ring of fire
an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the pacific ocean
ore
A concentrated accumulation of minerals from which -economically valuable materials can be extracted
minerals
Solid, Crystalline, Specific chemical structure, certain formations, uniform
known reserves
In resource management, the known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered
open-pit mining
A mining technique that uses a large visible pit or hole in the ground
mining spoils (tailings)
Unwanted waste material created during mining
mountaintop removal
A mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives
strip mining
The removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore
chemical weathering
The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks, or both
subsurface mining
Mining techniques used when the desired -resource is more than 100 m (328 feet) below the surface of Earth
deposition
Accumulation or depositing of eroded material
subsurface mining
Mining techniques used when the desired -resource is more than 100 m (328 feet) below the surface of Earth
SMRCA law
primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States
Mining Law of 1872
United States federal law that authorizes and governs prospecting and mining for economic minerals, such as gold, platinum, and silver, on federal public lands
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States
smelting
To extract metal from its ore by a process involving heating and melting
gangue
the commercially valueless material in which ore is found
spoil banks
piles of waste material from surface mining; spoil banks is a result of strip mining in waves of rubble
area strip mining
Surface mining technique in which a large area of soil and rock is removed at once
contour strip mining
Surface mining technique in which soil and rock is removed in strips
acid mine drainage
the acidic water that is created when sulphide minerals are exposed to air and water and, through a natural chemical reaction, produce sulphuric acid
heap leach extraction
an industrial mining process to extract precious metals, copper, uranium, and other compounds from ore via a series of chemical reactions that absorb specific minerals and then re-separates them after their division from other earth materials
asthenosphere
Outer part of mantle. Made of semi-molten, ductile rock
seafloor spreading
Oceanic plate meet continental. Oceanic pulled under continental. As other plates move apart, rising magma forms new seafloor crust
divergent boundary
Magma pushes up and out, making new rocks and bringing copper, lead, and silver, however it is deep under ocean
fault zones
Large expanses of rock where movement had occurred where plates meet
epicenter
Exact point on Earth’s surface directly above where rock ruptures
igneous rocks
Forms directly from magma. Classified by composition and mode of formation
erosion
Physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem
metals
An element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy
tailings
Mining spoils
