World Geography - The Lay of the Land (Lesson Quiz)

For anybody taking Connexus.

Physical Geography

The study of Earth’s natural environment and processes.

Geosphere

Earth’s solid outer layer, including crust, mantle, and core.

Hydrosphere

The water component of Earth, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Biosphere

The areas on Earth that support life.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Earth’s Processes

Dynamic changes on Earth, like plate movement and weather.

Solar System Formation

Occurred 4.6 billion years ago when a nebula collapsed.

Nebula

A cloud of gas and dust that formed the solar system.

Nuclear Fusion

Process in the sun’s core where hydrogen forms helium.

Big Bang Theory

The theory that the universe began 13.7 billion years ago.

Tectonic Plates

Large pieces of Earth’s crust that move and cause earthquakes.

Continental Drift

Alfred Wegener’s theory that continents were once connected.

Pangaea

The ancient supercontinent that split into the continents.

Core

Earth’s inner layer, made of a solid inner core and a molten outer core.

Mantle

The thick, malleable layer surrounding Earth’s core.

Crust

The Earth’s outermost layer, where life exists.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of Earth, formed by the crust and upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

The soft, malleable layer beneath the lithosphere that moves tectonic plates.

Volcano

A rupture in Earth’s crust where molten rock erupts.

Magma

Molten rock beneath Earth’s surface.

Lava

Molten rock that erupts from a volcano.

Ring of Fire

A region around the Pacific Ocean with frequent volcanoes and earthquakes.

Seismic Equipment

Tools used to measure earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Continental Plates

Pieces of Earth’s crust that make up the continents.

Shield Volcano

A volcano with a broad, gentle slope, formed by fluid lava.

Composite Volcano

A steep-sided volcano formed by explosive eruptions.

Cinder Cone Volcano

A small, steep-sided volcano made from ash and lava fragments.

Tectonic Plate Movement

Movement of Earth’s crustal plates causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Atlantis

A mythical lost continent mentioned by Plato.

Continents

Large landmasses on Earth: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America.

Panama Canal

A man-made waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Ocean

A large body of saltwater covering 70% of Earth’s surface.

Atlantic Ocean

The second-largest ocean, separating the Americas from Europe and Africa.

Pacific Ocean

The largest and deepest ocean, located between the Americas and Asia/Australia.

Indian Ocean

The ocean located between Africa, India, and Australia.

Arctic Ocean

The smallest ocean, surrounding the North Pole.

Southern Ocean

The ocean surrounding Antarctica, designated in 2000.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, where weather occurs.

Stratosphere

The layer above the troposphere, containing the ozone layer.

Ozone Layer

A layer in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Atmospheric Composition

Earth’s atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace gases.

Latitude

Imaginary lines measuring distance north or south of the equator.

Longitude

Imaginary lines measuring distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Prime Meridian

The zero-degree line of longitude, dividing Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Equator

The zero-degree line of latitude, dividing Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system for pinpointing locations using satellites.

Hemispheres

The two halves of Earth: Northern/Southern and Eastern/Western.