 | 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 |
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