Esci-REVIEWER

Volcanism

The process of magma and gases escaping from a volcano onto the Earth's surface.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that use sunlight, CO2, and water to produce biomass and oxygen.

Habitable zone

The distance from a star where liquid water can exist, making a planet suitable for life.

Radiogenic heat

Heat generated from the radioactive decay of materials in the Earth's core and mantle.

Greenhouse effect

The trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere, providing heat for the planet.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy, ensuring the flow of gases on Earth.

Geosphere

The solid Earth, composed of rocks, minerals, and landforms.

Hydrosphere

The totality of Earth's water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and water vapor in the atmosphere.

Cryosphere

The frozen part of the Earth's surface, including ice caps, glaciers, and permafrost.

Biosphere

The part of Earth where life exists, including all living organisms and organic matter.

Mineral

A naturally occurring substance with a defined chemical composition and an organized internal structure.

Cleavage

The breaking of minerals along certain directions and angles, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces.

Streak

The color of a mineral's fresh, ground form, obtained through a streak plate method.

Luster

The appearance of light reflected from a mineral's surface, describing its shine or dullness.

Hardness

The measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching, determined by the strength of its chemical bonds.

Rock cycle

The continuous process of rocks changing from one type to another through various geological processes.