Intro to Earth Science Flashcards
Environment
“surroundings”
Earth Science
the study of earth
Earth Science Includes:
Geography, Biogeography, Geology, Oceanography, Astronomy, Meteorology
Geography
The science that studies the relationships among: natural systems, geographic areas
Earth is an
oblate spheroid
Absolute Location
based on superimposed grid system
Relative Location
based on known locations
(Ex: take a left at (Target) then go straight until you see (Publix)
Latitude
means distance north and south of the equator
Longitude
refers to the distance east or west at a given point
- lines called “meridians”
- Prime meridian (0)
Atmosphere
entire collection of air around or on earth
- anywhere there is air
- ex: oxygen hydrogen, helium
Geosphere
any nonorganic, solid material beneath and at earth’s surface
- rocks, minerals, soil particles
- anywhere with solid earth
Hydrosphere
all water below and at earth’s surface
- oceans, rivers, lakes. groundwater
Biosphere
all organic material
- trees, donkeys, decaying plant, and animal matter
Earth’s Three Layers
Crust, Mantle, Core
Crust
- solid surface
- 5 ~ 6 miles
- can be classified as either continental or oceanic
Oceanic Crust
- crust composed of basalt
- dense
Continental Crust
- crust composed of granite
- relatively buoyant
Plasticity
Lighter continental crust ‘floats’ in heavy oceanic crust
“Weathering”
process of being broken down by nature
“Erosion”
Small pieces of rock being transported by water, wind, ice, etc.
Sediment
Rock that has finished eroding
Igneous Rock
- most of earths crust
- rock that has volcanic origin
- there are two types
Extrusive Igneous Rock
- igneous rock formed from lava above the surface
Intrusive Igneous Rock
- igneous rock formed beneath the surface
- magma cools and crystalizes beneath the surface
