Earth and Environmental Science Vocabulary

Flashcards for Earth and Environmental Science review, covering the formation of the Earth, solar system, plate tectonics, volcanoes, tsunamis and geological time.

Big Bang

The event that occurred 13.8 billion years ago, creating space, time, and matter.

Solar Nebular Collapse

The collapse of a giant cloud of dust due to gravity that formed the sun at the center 4.6 billion years ago.

Planetesimals

Small rock and dust particles that merged to form larger objects in the early solar system, eventually leading to the formation of planets through collisions and accretion.

Earth Differentiation

The process by which heavy elements like iron and nickel sank to form Earth's core, while lighter elements formed the crust around 4.4 billion years ago.

Theia

A Mars-sized planet that collided with Earth around 4.4-4.3 billion years ago, resulting in the formation of the moon.

Prokaryotes

The first simple life forms (like bacteria) that appeared in the oceans around 4.3 billion years ago.

Cyanobacteria

Blue-green algae that evolved and began photosynthesis, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere around 3.5 billion years ago.

Great Oxygenation Event

The event around 2.5 billion years ago when oxygen levels increased, making Earth more habitable.

Continental Drift

The theory proposed by Alfred Wegener that the continents had once formed a single landmass (Pangaea) before breaking apart and drifting to their current locations.

Convergent Boundary

A plate boundary where two plates are pushing towards each other.

Divergent Boundary

A plate boundary where two plates are moving apart from each other.

Transform Boundary

A plate boundary where two plates slide past each other.

Subduction Zone

An area where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another into the mantle.

Volcano

A rupture in the Earth's surface through which molten rock, gases, and ash are expelled.

Tsunami

Giant waves caused by underwater disturbances, usually earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or underwater landslides.

Geological Time Scale (GTS)

A system that divides Earth's vast history into different time units to study the formation of the planet, evolution of life, and major geological events.

Eons

Largest divisions of geological time which include Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic.

Eras

Divisions of eons that mark significant changes in Earth's life and climate; including Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic.

Underwater Earthquake Tsunami Cause

Tectonic plates shift at subduction zones displacing the ocean water and generating waves. Usually needs to be a magnitude 7.0 or higher.

Underwater Volcanic Eruption Tsunami Cause

Explosive eruptions that rapidly push water outward or the collapse of a volcano which suddenly displaces water.