Unit 1 Flashcards
Globe
A scale model of the earth that depicts properties such as area, distance, and direction. (3-D model)
Map distortion
Misrepresentation of shape, area, distance, and direction on a map. Comparison of measurements on curbed surface of earth.
Continental drift theory
The theory that the continents were once joined together and then slowly drifted apart.
Convergent boundaries
Two tectonic plates or fragments move toward one another and collide.
Divergent boundaries
Two tectonic played that move away from each other.
Transform boundaries
A type of fault whose relative motion is horizontal. (Plates slide past each other)
Fault
A crack or break in the earths crust.
Seismograph
Any of various instruments for measuring and recording vibrations of earthquakes. (Measures and records details of earth quakes.)
Epicenter
Center of the earthquake. Point on the earth’s surface vertically above an earth quake.
Richter scale
A scaler ranging from 1-10, for indicating the intensity of an earthquake.
Ring of Fire
Basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and eruptions occur.
Atmosphere
Gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
Lithosphere
Rigid outer part of the earth. Crust and upper mantle.
Hydrosphere
All waters on earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas.
Biosphere
Part of the earth where life exists.
Topography
Arrangement of physical features of an area. Shows the details and height of a mountain
Weathering
Chemical or physical process that BREAK down pieces of rocks into smaller pieces.
Erosion
The MOVEMENT of weathered rock and material by wind, glaciers, and moving water.
Deposition
Process where material being transported is DEPOSITED.
Glaciation
A process by which glaciers form and spread
Weather
Condition of the atmosphere in a SHORT period of time.
Climate
Weather patterns typical for an area in a short period of time.
Leeward
Being on or FACING the direction toward which the wind is blowing.
Windward
Being IN or facing the direction for, which the wind is blowing
Rain shadow affect
Result of a process by which dry areas develop on the leeward sides of the mountain ranges. Temp changes drastically
Continentally
Distance from moderating affects of the ocean.
* if you are close to the ocean, weather doesn’t change drastically year round. If you are not close to the ocean weather changes drastically
Deciduous trees
Broad lead trees found in places such as amazon. They loose leaves in the autumn
Coniferous
Needle leaf tree found in Colorado. Keep leaves in winter.
Permafrost
Permanently frozen layer of soil beneath surface of the ground.
Mountain
natural elevation of the earth’s surface with steep sides and greater in height than a hill
Hill
natural elevation of the earth’s surface smaller in height than a mountain
Basin
an extended lower area between mountain ranges
Cliff
almost vertical edge of a hill, mountain, plain, or plateau
Valley
low land between hills or mountains
Escarpment
a steep slope with a nearly flat plateau on top
Source of the river
where the river beings at a higher elevation
Mouth of the river
the place where a river flows into a lake or an ocean
Delta
a triangular area of land formed from silt deposits at the mouth of a river; caused by the flattening out of the land, the river slows and deposits silt until the river seeks a new path
Estuary
broadened seaward end of a river; where the fresh water and the salt water mix
Tributary
smaller river that joins a larger river
Desert
area with very little rainfall
Oasis
a spot of fertile land in a desert, fed by water from wells or underground springs
Mesa
a wide, flat-topped mountain with steep sides, larger than a butte
Butte
a raised, flat area of land with steep cliffs, smaller than a mesa
Plateau
a broad, flat-topped mountain with steep sides, larger than a butte or mesa
Marsh
soft, wet, low-lying, grassy land that serves as a transition between water and land
Swamp
lowland region that is saturated by water
Flood plain/ alluvial plain
flat land near the edges of rivers formed by mud and silt deposited by floods
Volcano
an opening in the earth, usually raised, through which gases and lava escape from the earth’s interior
Island
small piece of land surrounded by water
Atoll
coral created island, sometimes forming a ring around an island
Peninsula
piece of land surrounded by water on three sides
Cape
a piece or hook of land extending into the ocean or a lake
Plains
a large level area of grassland with few or no trees (prairies, savannas, cerrado, llanos, pampas, steppe)
Lake
small body of water enclosed by land
Sea
a small body of water attached to a larger sea or the ocean
Ocean
large body of saltwater that covers the earth
Bay
part of an ocean or lake partially enclosed by land
Harbor
a sheltered area of water deep enough for docking ships
Strait
narrow strip of water that connects two larger bodies of water
Canal
manmade waterway
Channel
wide strip of water that connects two larger bodies of water
Isthmus
narrow strip of land that connects to larger pieces of land
Cave
sheltered opening in the earth
Gorge
narrow opening in the land created by the action of a river
Canyon
large opening in the land created by the action of a river
Dune
sand piled up by wind
Continental shelf
the earth’s surface from the edge of a continent into the ocean
Archipelago
several islands that form a chain
Gulf
large body of water connected to an ocean
Glacier
a large mass of ice that moves because of gravity
Cataract
a step-like series of waterfalls
