Untitled Flashcards Set

Lithosphere

Made up of mantle and crust, where tectonic plates are found.

Asthenosphere

Solid flexible outer layer of the mantle.

Mantle

Layer of liquid magma surrounding the core.

Inner Core

Dense mass of solid metals, innermost layer of the Earth.

Convection currents

Movement in the mantle that causes tectonic plates to move.

Subduction

The process where oceanic plates are forced under continental plates.

Divergent boundaries

Areas where tectonic plates move apart, creating earthquakes and mid-ocean ridges.

Convergent boundaries

Areas where tectonic plates collide, causing earthquakes and volcanic structures.

Transform boundaries

Boundaries where tectonic plates slide past each other, creating faults.

Hotspots

Areas where mantle plumes cause volcanic activity within tectonic plates.

Troposphere

Layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs; most dense with the majority of gas molecules.

Stratosphere

Layer above the troposphere, contains the ozone layer.

Ozone layer

Stratospheric ozone that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Coriolis effect

The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Ocean gyres

Large circular current systems in the oceans driven by wind.

Upwellings

Upward movements of ocean water driven by wind, replacing warm water with cold water.

El Nino

Weather pattern characterized by warmer ocean waters and altered wind patterns.

La Nina

Weather pattern characterized by cooler ocean waters and stronger trade winds.

Rainshadow effect

Drier conditions on the leeward side of elevated terrains.

Humus

The organic component of soil formed by the decomposition of leaves and other organic material.

Soil horizons

Layers of soil that differ in composition, texture, and color.

Porosity

The amount of pore space in a soil volume.

Permeability

The ease with which water and air can pass through soil.