Mid-term Flashcards
The innermost zone of Earth’s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. Includes a liquid outer layer & a solid inner layer
Core
Layer of Earth above the core, containing magma
Mantle
Molten rock
Magma
The layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock
Asthenosphere
The outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust
Lithosphere
In geology, the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere
Crust
In geology, a place where molten material from Earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere
Hot spot
The theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion
Plate tectonics
The sum of the processes that built up and break down the lithosphere
Tectonic cycle
The process of one crustal plate passing under another
Subduction
A vent in the surface of Earth that emits ash, gases, or molten lava
Volcano
An area beneath the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other
Divergent plate boundary
The formation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and outward from Earth’s mantle to the surface
Seafloor spreading
An area where plates move toward one another and collide
Convergent plate boundary
An area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other
Transform fault boundary
A fracture of rock caused by a movement of Earth’s crust
Fault
The frequency and intensity of earthquakes experienced over time
Seismic activity
A large expanse of rock where a fault has occurred
Fault zone
The sudden movement of Earth’s crust caused by a release of potential energy along a geologic fault and usually causing a vibration or trembling at Earth’s surface
Earthquake
The exact point on the surface of Earth directly above the location where rock ruptures during an earthquake
Epicenter
A scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake
Richter scale
A series of waves in the ocean caused by seismic activity or an undersea volcano
Tsunami
The geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion, among other processes
Rock cycle
Rock formed directly from magma
Igneous rock
Igneous rock that forms when magma rises up and cools in a place underground
Intrusive igneous rock
Rock that forms when magma cools above the surface of Earth
Extrusive igneous rock
A crack that occurs in rock as it cools
Fracture
Rock that forms when sediments such as mud, sand, or gravel is compressed by overlying sediments
Sedimentary rock
Rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure
Metamorphic rock
The mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals
Physical weathering
The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks, or both
Chemical weathering
Precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid from reactions between water vapor and sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere
Acid rain/ acid precipitation
The physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem
Erosion
The underlying rock material from which the inorganic components of a soil are derived
Parent material
The loss of some or all of a soil’s ability to support plant growth
Soil degradation
A horizontal layer in a soil defined by distinctive physical features such as texture and color
Horizon
The organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in various stages of decomposition
O horizon
The most fully decomposed organic matter in the lowest section of the O horizon
Humus
Frequently the top layer of soil, a zone of organic material and minerals that have been mixed together
A horizon
A zone of leaching, or eluviation, found in some acidic soils under the O horizon, or less often the A horizon
E horizon
A soil horizon composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic material
B horizon
The least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and is similar to the parent material
C horizon
The ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations
Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
The proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed in a percentage
Base saturation
The average concentration of an element in Earth’s crust
Crustal abundance
A concentrated accumulation of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted
Ore
An element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy, and to perform other important functions
Metal
In resource management, the known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered
Reserve
The removal of strips of soil and rock to remove ore
Strip mining
Unwanted waste material created during mining including mineral and other residues that are left behind after the desired metal or ore is removed
Mine tailings
A mining technique that creates a large visible pit or hole in the ground
Open-pit mining
A mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives
Mountaintop removal
The process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediments
Placer mining
Mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100 m below the surface of Earth
Subsurface mining
A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater
Aquifer
An aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow
Unconfined aquifer
An aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow
Confined aquifer
The uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil
Water table
A process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer
Groundwater recharge
A natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface
Spring
A well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer
Artesian well
An area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well
Cone of depression
An infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from extensive drilling of wells
Saltwater intrusion
The land adjacent to a river
Floodplain
Pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration
Impermeable surface
An enlarged bank built up on each side of a river
Levee
A structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land
Dike
A barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water
Dam
The water body created by damming a river or stream
Reservoir
A stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam
Fish ladder
A canal, ditch, or pipe used to carry water from one location to another
Aqueduct
The process of removing the salt from salt water
Desalination/desalinization
A process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting stream is captured and condensed to yield pure water
Distillation
A process of desalination in which water is forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure
Reverse osmosis
The total daily per capita use of fresh water
Water footprint
The cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrient-rich solution
Hydroponic agriculture
A water allocation system that charges rates that increase with the amount of water consumed
Tiered water-pricing systems
A style of landscaping that removes water-intensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping
Xeriscaping
Wastewater from baths, showers, bathroom sinks, and washing machines
Gray water
Wastewater fro, toilets, kitchen sinks, and dishwashers
Contaminated water
