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Geography Definitions > Geomorphology > Flashcards

Geomorphology Flashcards

1
Q

Active volcanoes

A

Volcanoes which erupt regularly

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2
Q

Anticline

A

The upward/ topmost bend of a fold.

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3
Q

Basin

A

A depression, or dip, in the Earth’s surface

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4
Q

Batholith

A

Large intrusion, often granite, which forms in the Earth’s crust

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5
Q

Bedding plane

A

the line separating layers of rock.

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6
Q

Butte

A

An isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, formed when a mesa erodes, higher than it is wide

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7
Q

Continental drift

A

The theory that the continents were once one landmass called Pangea and that they drifted apart over time

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8
Q

Conservative/passive/transform margin/plate boundary

A

area/zone where two plates are moving sideways past one another (transverse).

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9
Q

Convergent/destructive margin/plate boundary

A

Area/zone where two or more plates are moving towards one another.

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10
Q

Core

A

The innermost layer of the earth

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11
Q

Crater

A

Depression around the vent of a volcano

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12
Q

Crust

A

Solid outermost layer of the earth

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13
Q

Crystalline structure

A

A rock that has mineral crystals in it

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14
Q

Divergent / Constructive margin / plate boundary

A

area/zone where two plates are moving away from one another.

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15
Q

Dormant volcanoes

A

Volcanoes that show no sign of activity, but have a history of erupting

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16
Q

Dyke

A

Wall-like igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock.

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17
Q

Earthquake

A

The sudden movement of the crust along a fault

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18
Q

Epicentre

A

Area on the Earth’s surface immediately above the focus of an earthquake

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19
Q

Erosion

A

The process whereby rock is broken down and transported

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20
Q

Escarpment

A

A steep slope along the edge of a plateau

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21
Q

Extinct volcanoes

A

Volcanoes that are not expected to erupt ever again

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22
Q

Extrusive igneous rock

A

Igneous rocks that form on the Earth’s surface

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23
Q

Fault

A

A crack in the Earth’s crust caused by stress or tension

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24
Q

Fault scarp

A

The steep slope of exposed rock above a fault

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25
Q

Fissure

A

A crack in the ground

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26
Q

Fold

A

Rock layers in the Earth’s crust that have been bent by forces of compression

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27
Q

Focus

A

The point in the Earth’s crust where an earthquake originates

28
Q

Graben (Rift Valley)

A

Valley formed between two parallel faults

29
Q

Horst

A

An elevated block of the Earth’s crust forced upward between parallel faults (block mountain)

30
Q

Igneous (rock)

A

Rock formed by the cooling of magma/lava

31
Q

Intrusive igneous

A

Igneous rocks that form within the Earth’s crust

32
Q

Impermeable

A

Rocks that do not hold or allow water to pass through them

33
Q

L-wave

A

Seismic wave that travels across the Earth’s surface outwards from the epicentre

34
Q

Laccolith

A

Mushroom-shaped igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock

35
Q

Lava

A

Molten rock found on the surface of the Earth

36
Q

Lithification

A

The process in which sediments are turned into rigid rock through compaction and cementation

37
Q

Lopolith

A

Saucer-shaped igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock

38
Q

Magma

A

Molten rock found under the Earth’s surface

39
Q

Magma chamber

A

A store of magma within the crust

40
Q

Mantle

A

Layer underneath the crust, made of molten rock

41
Q

Mesa

A

An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides. Wider than it is high

42
Q

Metaphormic (rock)

A

Sedimentary or igneous rock that has been changed through heat or pressure

43
Q

Monocline

A

A step-like, one sided fold in rock layers

44
Q

Ore

A

Mineral bearing rock

45
Q

Overfold

A

A fold where one limb of the fold is steeper than the other

46
Q

Overthrust fold

A

An overfold that faults and one limb of the fold is pushed over the other

47
Q

Pangea

A

The large super continent from which all our continents came

48
Q

P and S-waves

A

Seismic waves that travel from the focus of the earthquake, through the crust, beneath the surface

49
Q

Permeable

A

rocks which allow water to move through them through cracks and joints

50
Q

Pipe

A

The narrow channel through which magma reaches the Earth’s surface. Can be filled with solid rock

51
Q

Plateau

A

A large flat area of land that is high above sea level, often with an escarpment on one or more sides

52
Q

Porous

A

Rocks which allow water to move through the spaces between the particles in the rock

53
Q

Recumbent fold

A

A fold where the strata are almost horizontal to one another

54
Q

Relief

A

The shape of the Earth’s surface, especially the differences in height; also called topography

55
Q

Richter scale

A

A scale used to compare the strength of earthquakes

56
Q

Rock cycle

A

The ongoing process of forming, breaking down and re-forming rocks

57
Q

Sedimentary (rock)

A

Rock formed from layers of deposited weathered material

58
Q

Seismic wave

A

The movement of energy from an earthquake through the Earth or along the surface

59
Q

Seismogram

A

The record produced by a seismograph

60
Q

Seismograph

A

An instrument that measures the magnitude of seismic waves

61
Q

Sill

A

Horizontal igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock layers

62
Q

Strata

A

Layers of rock

63
Q

Syncline

A

The downward bend of a fold

64
Q

Tectonic plate

A

A section of the Earth’s crust that floats/rests on the mantle

65
Q

Tsunami

A

A huge ocean wave, often caused by a large earthquake on the sea floor

66
Q

Vent

A

Area where a pipe of magma opens onto the surface

67
Q

Weathering

A

The process whereby rock is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces

Geography Definitions (1 decks)

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