Chapter 8 Vocab

Question 1

core

Answer 1

The innermost zone of Earth’s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. It includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer

Question 2

mantle

Answer 2

The layer of Earth above the core, containing magma

Question 3

crust

Answer 3

In geology, the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere

Question 4

lithosphere

Answer 4

The outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust

Question 5

convergent boundary

Answer 5

An area where plates move toward one another and collide

Question 6

hot spots

Answer 6

In geology, a place where molten material from Earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere

Question 7

plate tectonics

Answer 7

The theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion

Question 8

oceanic plates

Answer 8

Lie underneath ocean. Dense and rich in iron

Question 9

continental plates

Answer 9

Lie beneath landmasses. Contains more silicon dioxide. Plates less dense than oceanic.

Question 10

earthquake

Answer 10

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

Question 11

subduction

Answer 11

The process of one crustal plate passing under another

Question 12

richter scale

Answer 12

A scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake

Question 13

rock cycle

Answer 13

The geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock -material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion, among other processes

Question 14

transform fault boundary

Answer 14

An area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other

Question 15

sedimentary rocks

Answer 15

Rocks that forms when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments

Question 16

metamorphic rocks

Answer 16

Rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure

Question 17

physical weathering

Answer 17

The mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals

Question 18

ring of fire

Answer 18

an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the pacific ocean

Question 19

ore

Answer 19

A concentrated accumulation of minerals from which -economically valuable materials can be extracted

Question 20

minerals

Answer 20

Solid, Crystalline, Specific chemical structure, certain formations, uniform

Question 21

known reserves

Answer 21

In resource management, the known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered

Question 22

open-pit mining

Answer 22

A mining technique that uses a large visible pit or hole in the ground

Question 23

mining spoils (tailings)

Answer 23

Unwanted waste material created during mining

Question 24

mountaintop removal

Answer 24

A mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives

Question 25

strip mining

Answer 25

The removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore

Question 26

chemical weathering

Answer 26

The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks, or both

Question 27

subsurface mining

Answer 27

Mining techniques used when the desired -resource is more than 100 m (328 feet) below the surface of Earth

Question 28

deposition

Answer 28

Accumulation or depositing of eroded material

Question 29

subsurface mining

Answer 29

Mining techniques used when the desired -resource is more than 100 m (328 feet) below the surface of Earth

Question 30

SMRCA law

Answer 30

primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States

Question 31

Mining Law of 1872

Answer 31

United States federal law that authorizes and governs prospecting and mining for economic minerals, such as gold, platinum, and silver, on federal public lands

Question 32

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

Answer 32

primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States

Question 33

smelting

Answer 33

To extract metal from its ore by a process involving heating and melting

Question 34

gangue

Answer 34

the commercially valueless material in which ore is found

Question 35

spoil banks

Answer 35

piles of waste material from surface mining; spoil banks is a result of strip mining in waves of rubble

Question 36

area strip mining

Answer 36

Surface mining technique in which a large area of soil and rock is removed at once

Question 37

contour strip mining

Answer 37

Surface mining technique in which soil and rock is removed in strips

Question 38

acid mine drainage

Answer 38

the acidic water that is created when sulphide minerals are exposed to air and water and, through a natural chemical reaction, produce sulphuric acid

Question 39

heap leach extraction

Answer 39

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

Question 40

asthenosphere

Answer 40

Outer part of mantle. Made of semi-molten, ductile rock

Question 41

seafloor spreading

Answer 41

Oceanic plate meet continental. Oceanic pulled under continental. As other plates move apart, rising magma forms new seafloor crust

Question 42

divergent boundary

Answer 42

Magma pushes up and out, making new rocks and bringing copper, lead, and silver, however it is deep under ocean

Question 43

fault zones

Answer 43

Large expanses of rock where movement had occurred where plates meet

Question 44

epicenter

Answer 44

Exact point on Earth’s surface directly above where rock ruptures

Question 45

igneous rocks

Answer 45

Forms directly from magma. Classified by composition and mode of formation

Question 46

erosion

Answer 46

Physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem

Question 47

metals

Answer 47

An element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy

Question 48

tailings

Answer 48

Mining spoils