Rocks Flashcards
Earthquake
The violent shaking or movement beneath the Earth’s crust.
Geology
The study of the Earth using rocks and fossils.
Plate Tectonics
The theory that Earths crust is made up of huge rigid sections or “plates” that move very slowly.
Crust
The outer layer of the earth 5-20miles thick that is made of solid rock.
Mantle
The second layer of Earth that is semi-solid (taffy-like) and the thickest of all sections.
Core
The two outer layers of the Earth in the center that are made of nickel and iron. The outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid.
Seismograph
An instrument that detects earthquakes and measures their power and strength.
Magma
Melted rock found beneath the Earth’s surface that flows out of volcanoes and becomes igneous rock.
Geologist
A person who studies the Earth using rocks, fossils, and soil.
Igneous Rock
A rock that is produced by a volcano.
Weathering
The process of nature that breaks rocks into several pieces.
Erosion
A type of physical weathering that involves the wearing down of rocks and soil.
Sedimentary Rock
A rock that is formed by layers of sediment of at least 2 different rocks in the ground being pressed together.
Metamorphic Rock
A rock that is formed by changing over time. These rocks were once sedimentary or igneous before the transformation.
Minerals
Solid substance found in the Earth’s crust but is not animal or plant.
