APES Ch 8- Earth Systems
About this set
Created by:
annav18 on April 30, 2012
Subjects:
APES, AP Environmental Science
Description:
This is vocabulary from Chapter 8 of Friedland and Relyea AP Textbook
Classes:
APES, APES Elmore, Mastbaum APES 2013
Log in to favorite or report as inappropriate.
Order by
48 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 mantle | the layer of the earth between the crust and the core |
| magma | molten rock |
| asthenosphere | located in the outer part of the mantle and is composed of semi-molten, ductile rock |
| lithosphere | a 60 mile think layer that includes the solid upper mantle as well as the crust |
| crust | the outermost layer of the lithosphere |
| hot spots | places where molten material from the mantle reaches the lithosphere |
| plate tectonics | Earth's lithosphere is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion |
| tectonic cycle | the sum of the processes that build up and break down the lithosphere |
| subduction | the process of one plate passing under another |
| volcano | a vent in Earth's surface that emits ash, gases, and molten lava |
| divergent plate boundaries | when oceanic plates move apart as if on a giant conveyor belt |
| seafloor spreading | when the magma rises up and outward, forming new rock. This process brings important elements such as copper & lead to the surface of the Earth |
| convergent plate boundaries | when plates move toward one another and collide, and the lighter layer goes on top of the heavier, subducted layer |
| transform boundary | a plate boundary where two plates move/slide past each other in opposite directions |
| fault | a fracture in rock across which there is movement |
| fault zones | large expanses of rock where movement has occurred |
| earthquakes | sudden movements of Earth's crust followed by a series of shocks |
| seismic activity | another word for fault zones |
| epicenter | the exact point on the surface of Earth directly above the location where the rock ruptures |
| richter scale | a measure of the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake |
| minerals | solid chemical substances with uniform structures that form under specific temperatures and pressures They are usually compounds |
| igneous rocks | rocks that form directly from magma. They are classified as basaltic or granitic [i.e granite, basalt] |
| sedimentary rocks | rocks that form when sediments like mud, sand, or gravel are compressed by overlying sediments. It forms over long periods of time. This layer often holds fossils [i.e. sandstone, limestone] |
| metamorphic rocks | rocks that form when sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, or other metamorphic rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures [i.e. marble, quartzite] |
| physical weathering | Weathering in which solid rock is fragmented by mechanical processes that do not change its chemical composition. |
| chemical weathering | The process that breaks down rock through chemical changes |
| acid rain | rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions (especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) combine with water |
| erosion | the physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem |
| deposition | the accumulation or depositing if eroded material such as sediment, rock fragments, or soil |
| soil | a mix of geologic and organic compounds. Often called "Earth's dynamic membrane" |
| parent material | the rock material underlying soil from which its inorganic components are derived |
| horizons | soil layers |
| O horizon | the top-most soil layer that has organic matter in various stages of decomposition |
| A horizon | the topsoil layer that is a zone of overlying organic material and underlying mineral material |
| B Horizon | a zone of accumulation of metals and nutrients, commonly known as subsoil |
| C horizon | the least weathered soil horizon that is similar to the parent material |
| cation exchange capacity | the ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations. This is sometimes referred to as the nutrient holding capacity |
| base saturation | a measure of the proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed as a percentage |
| soil degradation | the loss of some or all of the ability of soils to support plant growth |
| ores | concentrated accumulations of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted |
| metals | elements with properties that allow them to conduct electricity and heat energy and perform other important functions |
| reserve | he known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered |
| strip mining | the removal of "strips" of soil and rock to expose ore and is used when the desired ore is relatively close to Earth's surface and runs parallel to it |
| tailings | mining spoils |
| open pit mining | the creation of a large pit or hole in the ground that is visible from Earth's surface, and is used when the resource is close to the surface but extends beneath the surface both horizontally and vertically |
| mountaintop removal | when miner remove the entire top of a mountain with explosives, this is really bad for the Earth |
| placer mining | the process of looking for metals and precious stones in river sediments |
| subsurface mining | begins with a horizontal tunnel dug into the side of a mountain or other feature containing the resource. From here, vertical shafts are drilled and elevators are used to bring miners down to the resource and back to the surface |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.
Completed “Learn” mode
hilary2 , valmor231 , ericj94 , kathya94 , KevonciaD , migueldmartinez , iridian3 , kellyxT , aovunwo , cbanuelos , DJenny , alym31 , EdgarGutierrez , ivazquez123 , mluluh (See all 37)