Hazardous Earth Flashcards
Primary Effects
The initial impact of a natural event on people and property, caused directly by it, for instance the ground buildings collapsing following an earthquake.
Secondary Effects
The after-effects that occur as indirect impacts of a natural event, sometimes on a longer timescale, for instance fires due to ruptured gas mains resulting from the ground shaking.
Tectonic Plate
A rigid segment of the Earth’s crust which can ‘float’ across the heavier, semi- molten rock below. Continental plates are less dense, but thicker than oceanic plates.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases like carbon dioxide and methane which trap heat around the earth leading to global warming.
Thermal Expansion
As a result of heating, expansion occurs, when sea water warms up it expands.
Storm Surge
A rapid rise in the level of the sea caused by low pressure and strong winds
Collision Zone
Where two tectonic plates collide - forming mountains like the Himilayas.
Landslide
A rapid mass movement of rock fragments and soil under the influence of gravity.
Hurricane
a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.
Lithosphere
The uppermost layer of the earth. It is cool and brittle. It includes the very top of the mantle and, above this, the crust.
Asthenosphere
Part of earth’s mantle. It is hot, semi-molten layer that lies beneath the tectonic plates.
Continental Crust
The part of the Earth’s crus that makes up land, on average 30-50km thick.
Oceanic Crust
The part of the Earth’s crust which is under the ocean’s, usually 6-8 km thick.
Mantle
The middle layer of Earth. It lies between the crust and the core and is about 2900 km thick. It’s outer layer is in the asthenosphere it consists mainly of solid rock.
Radioactive Decay
Atoms of unstable elements release particles from their nuclei and give off heat.
