Unit 4 Flashcards
Core
The innermost zone of the Earth;s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. It includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer
Mantle
The layer above the core, consisting of magma, the asthenosphere, and the solid upper mantle
Magma
Molten rock
Plate Tectonics
The theory that the lithosphere of the earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion
Earthquake
A sudden movement of earths crust caused by a release of potential energy from the movement of tectonic plates
Hot spots
In geology, a place where molten material from earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere
Volcano
A vent in the surface of the earth that emits ash, gases, and molten lava
Tsunami
A series of wave in the ocean caused by seismic activity or an undersea volcano that causes massive water displacement
Divergent boundary
An area below the ocean where tectonic plates MOVE AWAY from each other
Sea floor spreading
Caused by divergent boundary, in which rising magma forms new oceanic crust on seafloor at boundaries between those plates
Convergent Boundary
An area where one plate MOVES TOWARD another plate and collides
Subduction
When one heavier plate (ocean) sinks below another lighter plate (continental) and melts
Island Arc
A chain of islands formed by volcanoes as a result of two tectonic plates coming together and expiring subduction
Island Arc
A chain of islands formed by volcanoes ad a result of two tectonic plates coming together and expiring subduction
Collision Zone
An area where two continental plates ate pushed together and the colliding forces push up the crust to form a mountain range
Collision Zone
An area where two continental plates ate pushed together and the colliding forces push up the crust to form a mountain range
Transform Boundary
An area where tectonic plates move sideways against each other
Fault
A fractured in rock caused by a movement of Earth;s crust
Igneous Rock
Rock formed directly by magma
Process of Igneous Rock
Old rock - melt - magma - cool - ingneous rock
Sedimentary Rock
Rocks that form when sediment such as muds, sands, and gravel are compressed by overlying sediments
Process of sedimentary rock
Old rock - weathering - sediment - lithification - sedimentary rock
Metamorphic Rock
Rock that form when sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic rock is subjected to high pressures and tempurtures
Process of metamorphic rock
Old rock - heat/pressure-metaphoric (no melting)
Rock Cycle
The geological cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock material that results from tectonics, weathering, erosion, etc.
Physical Weathering
The mechanical breakdown of rocks caused by wind, water, tempurtures, etc.
Chemical Weathering
The breakdown of rock and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks or both process
Acid Percipitation
When rain or snow contain sulfur or nitric acid (acid rain)
Erosion
The physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem
Horizon
A horizontal layer in a soil defined by distance physical features such as color and texture
O horizon
The organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in decomposition stages
Humus
The most fully decomposed organic matter in the lowest section of the o horizon
A horizon
Top layer of soil, a zone of organic materials and minerals are mixed (topsoil)
E horizon
A zone of leaching, or elucidation, found in some acidic soils under o and a horizon
B horizon
A soil horizon in composed primarily at mineral material with ilittle organic matter (subsoil)
C horizon
The least weathered soil, beneath b horizon and similar to parent material
Porosity
The size of air spaces between particles
Water holding Capicty
The amount of water a soil can hold against the drainage of gravity
Permability
The ability of water to move through soil
Cation exchange capicty (CEC)
The ability of a particular particlar soil to absorb and release cations
Base Saturation
The proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed as a percent
Watershed
An area of land that drains into a particular body of water
Examples of human impacts on watersheds
Dams, mining for minerals, increases imperative surfaces
Insulation
Incoming solar radiation which is the main source of energy on earth
Albedo
The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a service
Solstice
When th earth is either pointed toward or away the sun
Equinox
Equal/halfway
What’s are the 5 layers of the earth?
- Troposhere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
- Exosphere
Troposphere
Layer of atmosphere closest to the surface of the earth
Stratosphere
Layer above the troposphere
Ozone
A pale blue gas composed of molecules made up of three oxygen atoms (O3)
Mesophsere
Layer of atmosphere above strasphere
Thermoshere
Layer that is important to organisms on earth surface b/c block harmful UV rays
Exosphere
Highest layer in which satellites orbit the planets
Saturation Point
The maximum amount of water vapor in the air given the temp
Adiabatic cooling
The cooling affect of reduced pressure on air as it roses higher in atmosphere and expands
Adiabatic heating
The heating affect of increased pressure on air as it sinks towards the surface of the earth and loses volume
Latent heat release
The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into water
Atmospheric convection current
Global patterns of air movement initiated by unequal heating of the earth
Hadley cells
A convention current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator 30N and 30S
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The latitude which receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of two Hadley cells to converge
Polar cells
A convection current in atmosphere formed by air that rises 60N and 60S and sinks at poles 90N and 90S
Ferrel Cells
A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells
Coriolis effect
The deflection of an objects path due to the rotation of the earth
Gyre
A large scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Upwelling
The upward movement of ocean water towards the surface of as a result of diverging currents (cold and nutritious water)
Thermoaline Circulation
An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water
Rain Shadow
A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of them the mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific
La Niña
Following an El Niño event, trade winds on the South Pacific reverse strongly, causing regions that were hot and dry to become cooler and wetter.
