Geological Process & History Vocabulary

Question 1

Weathering

Answer 1

process by which rock materials are broken down by the action of physical and chemical processes

Question 2

Sediment

Answer 2

fragments of weathered rock

Question 3

Erosion

Answer 3

process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transport weathered materials from one location to another

Question 3

Deposition

Answer 3

process by which eroded materials are dropped, or laid down

Question 4

Physical Weathering

Answer 4

is mechanical breakdown rocks into smaller pieces

Question 5

Chemical Weathering

Answer 5

is the breakdown and decomposition of rocks due to chemical reactions.

Question 6

Mineral

Answer 6

naturally occurring and usually inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and orderly internal structure

Question 7

Igneous Rock

Answer 7

rocks formed from cooling lava

Question 8

Sedimentary Rock

Answer 8

rocks formed from sediments that are compacted or cemented together by new new minerals

Question 9

Metamorphic Rock

Answer 9

rock formed when existing rock is exposed to large changes in temperature, pressure, or both

Question 10

Cementation

Answer 10

glue together

Question 11

Crystallization

Answer 11

liquid to solid (cools)

Question 12

Compression

Answer 12

squeeze together

Question 13

Melting

Answer 13

solid to liquid

Question 14

Heat & Pressure

Answer 14

compress + squeeze

Question 15

Tectonic Plates

Answer 15

large moving pieces that make up Earth’s surface

Question 16

Plate Tectonics

Answer 16

the theory that describes how Earth’s outer layer is made up of moving plates

Question 17

Convection Current

Answer 17

the slow cycling of Earth’s interior material due to temperature and density differences

Question 18

Fossils

Answer 18

are the traces or remains of once-living organisms. They are commonly preserved in rock.

Question 19

Earth System

Answer 19

all the matter, energy, and processes within the boundary from Earth’s core to the outer edge of the atmosphere

Question 20

Geosphere

Answer 20

includes all rocks, minerals, and landforms. It also includes matter in Earth’s interior.

Question 21

Hydrosphere

Answer 21

includes all of Earth’s water, while the atmosphere includes all the gasses that surround Earth

Question 22

Biosphere

Answer 22

includes all living organisms.