Earth Science Terms Flashcards
Carbon Cycle
The series of biochemical processes that transfer carbon, the main biological component of many biological compounds and minerals into different reservoirs of the earth’s environment. These reservoirs include the earth’s interior, it’s geological sediments, its oceans and waterways, it terrestrial biosphere and it’s atmosphere.
Climate
The weather in a particular location averaged over a particular period of time
Equator
The lines separating the Northern and Southern hemispheres
Hemisphere
Literally “half a sphere”. The earth is divided into 2 pairs of hemispheres. Northern and Southern. Eastern and Western.
Orbit
The path of a celestial body and it revolution about another
Prime Meridian
A human made geographic line that runs South to North and separates the globe into two, the eastern and western hemispheres
Revolve
Turn on or around an axis
Seismic
Caused by and earthquake or geological vibration
Solar System
The sun and celestial bodies, for example earth and other planets that orbit it
Tectonic
Pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth’s crust
Volcano
A geological feature composed of a mountain or crevice that spews hot gases or magma into the atmosphere when agitated
Water
The liquid that sustains life. A colorless, odorless liquid that helps shape geography for example, rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, glaciers and biological functions (hydration and blood flow)
Weather
Atmospheric conditions such as temperature and precipitation
Wind
Air moving from high pressure to low pressure
