| Term | Definition |
| latitude | imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator |
| longitude | lines that go around the earth over the poles |
| globe | a three dimensional representation of the earth |
| map | which are two dimensional graphic representations |
| cartographer | map maker |
| map projections | is a way of drawing the earths surface that reduces distortion |
| topographic map | a representation of natural and man made features |
| gis | stores information about the world in a digital database |
| Tectonic Plate | Enormous moving pieces of the earth's lithosphere. |
| fault | Beneath the earth's crust. |
| earthquake | violent movement of the earth. |
| seismograph | can detect an earthquakes movement. |
| epicenter | The point directly above the focus of an earthquake on the earth's surface. |
| Righter scale | uses information collected by seismographs to determine the relative strength of an earthquake. |
| tsunami | A giant wave in the ocean. |
| volcano | materials that pour out of crack at the earths surface. |
| lava | Magma that has reached the earth's surface. |
| Ring of Fire | a zone around the rim of the Pacific Ocean. |
| atmosphere | the layer of gases surrounding the earth |
| lithosphere | the solid rock portion of the earth's surface |
| hydrosphere | the water layer on the earth's surface- |
| biosphere | the part of the earth where plants and animals live |
| continental drift | the idea that the continents where once one and they drifted apart |
| weathering | physical and chemical processes that change the characteristics of rock. |
| sediment | mud, sand, or silt |
| mechanical weathering | doesn't change composition of rock, only size |
| chemical weathering | when rock is changed into a new substance |
| erosion | when weathered material is moved by wind, water, ice, or gravity |
| delta | fan like landform where a river enters an ocean |
| loess | wind blown silt. |
| glacier | long-lasting mass of ice |
| glaciation | changing of landforms by slowly moving glaciers |
| moraine | a ridge or hill |
| humus | organic material |
| geography | the study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth |
| absolute location | cation the exact place on earth where a geographic feature such as a city |
| relative location | describes a place in comparison to other places around it |
| hemisphere | each half of the globe |
| equator | the imaginary line that divides the north and south half |
| prime meridian | the imaginary line that divides the east and west half |
| continent | landmasses above water on earth fit together like a huge jigsaw puzzle. |
| solar system | consists of the sun and nine known planets as well as other celestial bodies that orbit the sun |
| core | the center of the earth and is made up of iorn and nickel |
| mantle | several layers of core |
| magma | molten rock |
| crust | thin layer of rock at the earths surface |
| hydrolic cycle | the continuous circulation of water between the atmosphere, oceans, and earth |
| drainage basin | an area drained by a major river |
| ground water | water held in pores of rock |
| water table | the level at which the rock is saturated |
| landforms | naturally formed features o the surface of the earth |
| continental shelf | the earths surface from the edge of a continent to the deep part of the ocean |
| relief | the difference of elevation of a land form from its lowest to its highest point |
| topography | the combination of the surface shape and composition of the land forms and their distribution |