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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
Fissure
A crack in the ground
26
Fold
Rock layers in the Earth’s crust that have been bent by forces of compression
27
Focus
The point in the Earth’s crust where an earthquake originates
28
Graben (Rift Valley)
Valley formed between two parallel faults
29
Horst
An elevated block of the Earth’s crust forced upward between parallel faults (block mountain)
30
Igneous (rock)
Rock formed by the cooling of magma/lava
31
Intrusive igneous
Igneous rocks that form within the Earth’s crust
32
Impermeable
Rocks that do not hold or allow water to pass through them
33
L-wave
Seismic wave that travels across the Earth’s surface outwards from the epicentre
34
Laccolith
Mushroom-shaped igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock
35
Lava
Molten rock found on the surface of the Earth
36
Lithification
The process in which sediments are turned into rigid rock through compaction and cementation
37
Lopolith
Saucer-shaped igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock
38
Magma
Molten rock found under the Earth’s surface
39
Magma chamber
A store of magma within the crust
40
Mantle
Layer underneath the crust, made of molten rock
41
Mesa
An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides. Wider than it is high
42
Metaphormic (rock)
Sedimentary or igneous rock that has been changed through heat or pressure
43
Monocline
A step-like, one sided fold in rock layers
44
Ore
Mineral bearing rock
45
Overfold
A fold where one limb of the fold is steeper than the other
46
Overthrust fold
An overfold that faults and one limb of the fold is pushed over the other
47
Pangea
The large super continent from which all our continents came
48
P and S-waves
Seismic waves that travel from the focus of the earthquake, through the crust, beneath the surface
49
Permeable
rocks which allow water to move through them through cracks and joints
50
Pipe
The narrow channel through which magma reaches the Earth’s surface. Can be filled with solid rock
51
Plateau
A large flat area of land that is high above sea level, often with an escarpment on one or more sides
52
Porous
Rocks which allow water to move through the spaces between the particles in the rock
53
Recumbent fold
A fold where the strata are almost horizontal to one another
54
Relief
The shape of the Earth’s surface, especially the differences in height; also called topography
55
Richter scale
A scale used to compare the strength of earthquakes
56
Rock cycle
The ongoing process of forming, breaking down and re-forming rocks
57
Sedimentary (rock)
Rock formed from layers of deposited weathered material
58
Seismic wave
The movement of energy from an earthquake through the Earth or along the surface
59
Seismogram
The record produced by a seismograph
60
Seismograph
An instrument that measures the magnitude of seismic waves
61
Sill
Horizontal igneous intrusion into sedimentary rock layers
62
Strata
Layers of rock
63
Syncline
The downward bend of a fold
64
Tectonic plate
A section of the Earth’s crust that floats/rests on the mantle
65
Tsunami
A huge ocean wave, often caused by a large earthquake on the sea floor
66
Vent
Area where a pipe of magma opens onto the surface
67
Weathering
The process whereby rock is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces

Geography Definitions (1 decks)

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