Modules 24-28 Terms Flashcards

1
Q

The innermost zone of Earth´s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. It includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer.

A

Core

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2
Q

The layer of Earth above the core, containing magma

A

Mantle

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3
Q

molten rock

A

Magma

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4
Q

the layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock

A

Asthenosphere

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5
Q

the outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust

A

Lithosphere

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6
Q

in geology, the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere

A

Crust

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7
Q

in geology, a place where molten material from the Earth´s mantle reaches the lithosphere

A

Hot spot

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8
Q

the theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion

A

plate tectonics

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9
Q

the sum of the process that build up and break down the lithosphere

A

tectonic cycle

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10
Q

the process of one crustal plate passing under another

A

subduction

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11
Q

a vent in the surface of Earth that emits ash, gases, and molten lava

A

volcano

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12
Q

an area beneath the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other

A

divergent plate boundary

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13
Q

the formulation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and outward from Earth’s mantle to the surface

A

seafloor spreading

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14
Q

an area where plates move toward one another and collide

A

convergent plate boundary

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15
Q

an area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other

A

transform fault boundary

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16
Q

a fracture in rock caused by a movement of Earth’s crust

A

fault

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17
Q

the frequency and intensity of earthquakes experienced over time

A

seismic activity

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18
Q

a large expansion of rock where a fault has occurred

A

fault zone

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19
Q

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

A

earthquake

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20
Q

the exact point on the surface of Earth directly above the location where rock ruptures during an earthquake

A

epicenter

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21
Q

a scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake

A

richter scale

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22
Q

a series of waves in the ocean caused by seismic activity or an undersea volcano

A

tsunami

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23
Q

the geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion, among other processes

A

rock cycle

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24
Q

rock formed directly from magma

A

igneous rock

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25
Q

igneous rock that forms when magma rises up and cools in a place underground

A

intrusive igneous rock

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26
Q

rock that forms when magma cools above the surface of Earth

A

extrusive igneous rock

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27
Q

in geology, a crack that occurs in rock as it cools

A

fracture

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28
Q

rock that form when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments

A

sedimentary rock

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29
Q

rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure

A

metamorphic rock

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30
Q

the mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals

A

physical weathering

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31
Q

he breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks or both

A

chemical weathering

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32
Q

precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid from reactions between water vapor and sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. Also known as acid rain

A

acid precipitation

33
Q

the physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem

A

erosion

34
Q

he underlying rock material from which the inorganic components of a soil are derived

A

parent material

35
Q

the loss of some or all of a soil’s ability to support plant growth

A

soil degradation

36
Q

a horizontal layer in a soil defined by distinctive physical features such as texture and color

A

horizon

37
Q

the organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in various stages of decomposition

A

O horizon

38
Q

the most fully decomposed organic matter in the lowest section of the O horizon

A

humus

39
Q

frequently the top layer of soil, a zone of organic material and minerals that have been mixed together, also known as topsoil

A

A horizon

40
Q

a zone of leaching, or eluviation, found in some acidic soils under the O horizon or, less often the A horizon

A

E horizon

41
Q

a soil horizon composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic matter

A

B horizon

42
Q

the least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and is similar to the parent material

A

C horizon

43
Q

the ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations

A

Cation exchange capacity (CEC)

44
Q

the proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed as a percentage

A

Base saturation

45
Q

the average concentration of an element in the Earth’s crust

A

Crustal abundance

46
Q

a concentrated accumulation of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted

A

ore

47
Q

an element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy, and to perform other important functions

A

metal

48
Q

in resource management, the known quality of a resource that can be economically recovered

A

reserve

49
Q

the removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore

A

strip mining

50
Q

unwanted waste material created during mining including mineral and other residues that are left behind after the desired metal or ore is removed

A

mine tailings

51
Q

a mining technique that creates a large visible pit or hole in the ground

A

open-pit mining

52
Q

a mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives

A

mountaintop removal

53
Q

he process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediments

A

placer mining

54
Q

mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100m (328ft) below the surface

A

subsurface mining

55
Q

a permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater

A

aquifer

56
Q

an aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow

A

unconfined aquifer

57
Q

an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow

A

confined aquifer

58
Q

the uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil

A

water table

59
Q

a process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer

A

groundwater recharge

60
Q

a natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface

A

spring

61
Q

a well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer

A

Artesian well

62
Q

an area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well

A

cone of depression

63
Q

an infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from extensive drilling of wells

A

saltwater intrusion

64
Q

the land adjacent to a river

A

floodplain

65
Q

pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration

A

impermeable surface

66
Q

an enlarged bank built up on each side of a river

A

levee

67
Q

a structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land

A

dike

68
Q

a barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water

A

dam

69
Q

the water body created by damming a river or stream

A

reservoir

70
Q

a stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam

A

fish ladder

71
Q

a canal, ditch, or pipe used to carry water from one location to another

A

aqueduct

72
Q

the process of removing the salt from salt water: also known as desalinization

A

desalination

73
Q

a process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting stream is captured and condensed to yield pure water

A

distillation

74
Q

a process of desalination in which water is forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure

A

reverse osmosis

75
Q

the total daily per capita use of freshwater

A

water footprint

76
Q

the cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrient rich solution

A

hydroponic agriculture

77
Q

a water allocation system that charges rates that increase with the amount of water consumed

A

tiered water-pricing systems

78
Q

a style of landscaping that removes water-intensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping

A

xeriscaping