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UNIT 4- APES Flashcards

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7300203525CoreThe innermost zone of Earth's interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. It includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer.0
7300205045MantleThe layer of Earth above the core, containing magma.1
7300207473MagmaMolten rock.2
7300208052AsthenosphereThe layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock.3
7300209633LithosphereThe outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust.4
7300210704CrustThe chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere.5
7300212135Hot SpotA place where molten material from Earth's mantle reaches the lithosphere.6
7300216370Plate TectonicsThe theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion.7
7300220965SubductionThe process of one crustal plate passing under another.8
7300221901VolcanoA vent in the surface of Earth that emits ash, gases, or molten lava.9
7300222923Divergent Plate BoundaryAn area beneath the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other.10
7300224052Seafloor SpreadingThe formation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and outward from Earth's mantle to the surface.11
7300242746Convergent Plate BoundaryAn area where plates move toward one another and collide.12
7300243600Transform Fault BoundaryAn area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other.13
7300245079FaultA fracture in rock caused by a movement of Earth's crust.14
7300245784Seismic ActivityThe frequency and intensity of earthquakes experienced over time.15
7300246667Fault ZoneA large expanse of rock where a fault has occurred.16
7300247849EarthquakeThe 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.17
7300251154EpicenterThe exact point on the surface of Earth directly above the location where rock ruptures during an earthquake.18
7300252428Richter ScaleA scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake.19
7300314283TsunamiA series of large waves generated when part of the ocean floor suddenly rises or drops.20
7300253503Rock CycleThe geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion among other processes.21
7300255658Igneous RockRock formed directly from magma.22
7300257823Intrusive Igneous RockIgneous rock that forms when magma rises up and cools in a place underground.23
7300259254Extrusive Igneous RockRock that forms when magma cools above the surface of Earth.24
7300260355FractureA crack that occurs in rock as it cools.25
7300261170Sedimentary RockRock that forms when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments.26
7300262389Metamorphic RockRock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure.27
7300265485Physical WeatheringThe mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals.28
7300265857Chemical WeatheringThe breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks, or both.29
7300269759Acid PrecipitationPrecipitation 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.30
7300272323ErosionThe physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem.31
7300274861Parent MaterialThe rock material from which the inorganic components of a soil are derived (created).32
7300275889Soil DegradationThe loss of some of all of a soil's ability to support plant growth.33
7300277457HorizonA horizontal layer in a soil defined by distinctive physical features such as texture and color.34
7300279982O horizonThe organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of an organic material in various stages of decomposition.35
7300284345A horizonTop layer of soil, a zone of organic material and mineral that have been mixed together. Known as Topsoil!36
7300288321E horizonA zone of leaching, found in some acidic soils under the O horizon or, less often the A horizon.37
7300290762B horizonA soil horizon composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic matter.38
7300292695C horizonThe least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and is similar to the parent material.39
7300295903Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)The ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations.40
7300298817OreRock that contains a large enough concentration of a particular mineral-often a metal- to make it profitable for mining and processing.41
7300301099High Grade OreContains a large concentration of the desired mineral.42
7300328144MetalAn element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy, and to perform other important functions.43
7300302380Low Grade OreContains a small concentration of the desired mineral.44
7300303303ReservesIn resource management, the known quantity of a resource that can be econimically recovered.45
7300303313Depletion TimeThe time it takes to use up a certain proportion (usually 80%) of the reserves of a mineral at a given rate of use.46
7300304664OverburdenA layer of soil and rock overlying a mineral deposit, which is removed by surface mining.47
7300304665Spoils or TailingsUnwanted rock and other waste materials produced when a material is removed from the earth's surface by mining dredging, quarrying, or excavation.48
7300305487Open-Pit MiningA mining technique that uses a large visible pit or hole in the ground.49
7300305488Strip MiningThe removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore.50
7300308680Mountaintop MiningA mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives.51
7300308681Subsurface MiningMining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100 m (328 ft) below the surface of the Earth.52
7300310818SubsidenceThe collapse of land above some underground mines.53
10389825731WeatherThe short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed.54
10389826885ClimateThe average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time.55
10389828236TroposphereA layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of the Earth, extending up to approximately 16km (10 miles). Consists of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, and methane.56
10389829028StratosphereThe layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16 to 50km (10-31 miles) above the surface of the Earth. Contains the ozone layer, which filters out 95% of the sun's harmful UV radiation.57
10389829360Greenhouse EffectAbsorption of infrared radiation by atmosphere gases and re-radiation of the energy back toward Earth.58
10389830525Greenhouse GasesGases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat near the surface. (Water Vapor (H₂O), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (NH₄), Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's))59
10389830526AlbedoThe percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface.60
10389831943Atmospheric Convection CurrentsGlobal patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth.61
10389832743Hadley CellsA convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30°N and 30°S.62
10389834769Polar CellsA convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60N and 60S and sinks at the poles, 90°N and 90°S.63
10389835455Ferrell CellsA convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells.64
10389835456Coriolis EffectThe deflection of an object's path due to the rotation of Earth.65
10389836700Rain Shadow EffectA region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds form the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side.66
10389836701UpwellingThe upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents.67
10389838402Thermohaline CirculationAn oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water.68
10389839545El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific Ocean.69

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