UNIT 0: Vocabulary Group 1 (1-9 & 10-35) Flashcards
Elevation
Elevation is the distance/height above sea level (sea level is 0ft)
Latitude
How far North or South someplace is in comparison to the Earth’s equator
Wind Patterns
Movement in the wind caused by differences in atmospheric pressure (Wind Zones: Polar Easterlies, Westerlies, Horse Latitudes, Trade Winds, and the Doldrums)
Ocean currents
Ocean currents are movements in the water that are able to affect the weather and different zones of climate around the world.
Location on Continent
Where you reside on the current continent you are on
Orographic Effect
The Orographic Effect is when there are changes in the air flow due to the shape of the structure/land making air go upwards
Leeward
Protected from wind/Facing away from wind
Windward
Direction where wind is blowing/Facing towards wind
Rain Shadow Effect
When the wind forces rain on only one side of a mountain due to its height, leaving the other side dry and lacking vegetation.
Archipelago
A large group of islands
Atoll
A string of closely spaced small coral islands, enclosing or nearly enclosing a shallow lagoon
Bay
A small body of water that extends into the land
Cape
A piece of land jutting into the sea or some other large body of water.
Continent
One of the main landmasses of the globe
Continental Shelf
The part of the sea floor that slopes gently down from the continents.
Desert
A region of little rainfall where few plants and animals live.
Delta
A fan shaped landform at the mouth of a river created by deposits of sediment.
Gulf
A large body of salt water that is partly enclosed by land
Island
A piece of land surrounded by water
Isthmus
A narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas
Ocean
The vast body of salt water that covers almost three fourths of the earth’s surface.
Mountain
A high area of land with steep sides and a sharp peak
Lake
An inland body of fresh or salt water
Reservoir
A natural or artificial place where water is collected and stored for use.
Plateau
A flat area of land that is higher than the land around it
Peninsula
A landform bordered by water on three sides.
Strait
A narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water.
Sea
A body of salt water that is mostly enclosed by land or islands.
River
A long body of water that flows across land from higher elevation to a lower elevation.
Wetlands
Lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp that is saturated with moisture.
Valley
An area of low land between mountains or hills.
Tributary
A stream or river that feeds a lake or a larger stream or river.
Tectonic Forces
Geological forces that buckle, distort, and fracture the Earth’s crust, including warping, folding, faulting, and volcanic activity.
Weathering
The breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on the surface of the Earth
Erosion
The process where materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water
