Earth's Resources Flashcards
Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biospehere, Atmosphere
Weathering
the exposure and breaking down of rocks in situ at Earth’s surface over geological time due to interaction with the atmosphere
Transportation
the movement of rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity from the place they were orginally weathered
Erosion
the breaking down of rock fragments into smaller pieces due to collisions with other rock fragments during transportation
Deposition
the settling of rock fragments and sediments after transportation by water, wind, ice or gravity
Igneous
Rock that forms through the cooling of magma
Sedimentary
Rock that is formed from weathered rock fragments and sediments after transportation
Metamorphic
Rock that has been subjected to heat/pressure permentaly altering the minerals or internal structure
Mineral
An element or chemical compound formed as a result of rock cycle processes
Ore
A natuarlly occuring solid materals from which a metal or mineral can be extracted to make profit
Porosity
The measure of a rocks ability to hold liquid
Peremeability
A measure of the amount of water allowed to pass through a rock
Evaporation
The process which turns a liquid to a vapor
Condensation
The process which turns a vapor into a liquid
Percipitation
Moisture which falls from the air to the ground ie. rain, snow, hail
Transpiration
The evaporation of water from plant leaves, stems and flowers
Run - Off
Precipitation that flows across the surface of the ground
Infiltration
The physical movement of water through soil
Percolation
The movement of water through soil by gravity and capillary forces
Throughflow
The horizontal flow of water within soil
Groundwater
Water that occupies pore spaces in soil and bedrock
Groundwater Flow
The movement of groundwater horizontally
Biomass
The mass of living or recently living plants or animals
Biofuels
Combustible biomass or fuels derived from biomass
Natural Greenhouse Effect
The process by which radiation reflected by the Earth’s surface is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere and prevented from escaping into space, keeping the Earth warmer than it should be
