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Earth Science

Terms in this set (24)

crust
the rocky surface that makes up the TOP of the lithosphere and includes the continents and the ocean floor
mantle
the layer of the Earth beneath the crust. It is believed to be slightly molten and solid rock
core
layer of the Earth beneath the mantle. It is believed to be made up of iron and nickel
constructive force
the building up of the land or the creation of landforms
destructive force
the breaking down or wearing away of land and landforms
plate tectonics
a scientific theory that the Earth's crust is made of moving plates
plate
continent - sized slabs that move slowly across the Earth's surface on a thin layer of partially melted mantle
fault
a crack in the rock of the Earth's crust (where most earthquakes occur)
magma
melted rock inside the Earth
lava
melted rock that reaches Earth's surface
earthquake
a sudden movement of the Earth's crust
volcano
an opening in the Earth's crust through which molten lava, ash and gases are ejected
seismograph
device that can record the vibrations in the Earth
weathering
destructive force that breaks down rocks in smaller pieces
sediment
sand, silt, gravel and other small particles
erosion
the movement of weathered rock from place to place
deposition
the dropping of sediment or particles by water, wind or ice
glacier
a large mass of ice and snow that moves over land leaving distinctive features on the Earth's surface
delta
a deposit of sediment that builds up at a river's mouth
sand dune
a mound of sand piled up by wind
dam
a structure built across a river to control the water flow
levee
a small ridge of raised area of land used to prevent a body of water from overflowing
storm drains
system of drains that prevents flooding during heavy rainstorms
sea wall
a structure built at right angles to the beach to control beach erosion
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