Earth Science: Volcanoes, Climate, and Astronomy

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, definitions, and facts about Earth Science, including volcanoes, climate, and astronomy.

What are volcanoes?

Volcanoes are openings or vents in the Earth's surface from which molten rock, hot rocks, ash, and gases are expelled.

How are mountains formed?

Mountains are formed by folding and crumpling or by uplift and erosion.

What is a crater?

A crater is a bowl-shaped depression resulting from the outpour of volcanic materials from the vent.

What is a vent in a volcano?

A vent is an opening at the side of a volcano where volcanic materials escape to the surface.

What are fumaroles?

Fumaroles are openings that emit steam and volcanic gas near an active volcano.

What is a magma chamber?

A magma chamber is a pocket where magma collects beneath the Earth's surface.

What is an eruption column?

An eruption column consists of clouds of heated ash and tephra released during a volcanic eruption.

What is a volcanic bomb?

A volcanic bomb is formed when molten rock is thrown out of the volcano and cools down in the air.

What is a lava flow?

A lava flow is hot molten rock that oozes onto the surface after an eruption.

What is a conduit in a volcano?

A conduit is a passage where magma travels through in a volcano.

Describe cinder cone volcanoes.

Cinder cone volcanoes are small, steep-sided volcanoes made up of loose, pyroclastic material formed by explosive eruptions.

What are composite volcanoes?

Composite volcanoes, or stratovolcanoes, are steep-sided and formed by alternating layers of lava, ash, and volcanic debris.

Describe shield volcanoes.

Shield volcanoes have broad, gently sloping cones formed by numerous lava flows that spread out from the central vent.

What is a caldera?

A caldera is a large basin-shaped depression formed when the magma chamber empties and the volcanic cone collapses.

What is an active volcano?

An active volcano has erupted in historical time and currently shows signs of unrest.

What defines a dormant volcano?

A dormant volcano is not currently erupting but could erupt again.

What is an inactive volcano?

An inactive volcano is expected not to erupt again and is deeply eroded.

What is magma?

Magma is liquid rock produced beneath the Earth's surface.

What is lava?

Lava is magma that flows onto the Earth's surface.

How does magma form?

Magma forms when rock temperature reaches above melting point, pressure is released, or fluids reduce melting point.

What is weather?

Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.

What factors affect air temperature?

Air temperature is affected by the motion of molecules, where high temperatures result in fast-moving molecules.

What is atmospheric pressure?

Atmospheric pressure is a measure of the amount of atmosphere above a weather observation station.

What causes wind?

Wind is caused by air moving from areas of high pressure to low pressure.

What is humidity?

Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air.

Define relative humidity.

Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air expressed as a percentage.

What is the dew point?

The dew point indicates how much moisture is in the air.

What is climate?

Climate refers to the weather conditions in an area over a long period of time.

What is the difference between average monthly and yearly temperature?

Monthly average is the mean of daily averages for a month, while yearly average is the mean for 12 months.

What is a factor affecting climate related to latitude?

Different latitudes receive varying amounts of solar energy, affecting temperature and wind patterns.

What is the significance of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?

The ITCZ is an area where different atmospheric circulation cells meet, leading to increased precipitation.

What are seasonal winds?

Seasonal winds are winds that change direction based on land and ocean temperatures throughout the seasons.

What is the El Niño Southern Oscillation?

A cycle of changing wind and water current patterns in the Pacific Ocean that affects global climate.

Define constellations.

Constellations are groups of stars that form patterns in the night sky.

What are circumpolar constellations?

Circumpolar constellations are visible all year round, like Cepheus and Ursa Major.

What are seasonal constellations?

Seasonal constellations change positions depending on the time of the year, such as Cassiopeia and Pegasus.

What are zodiacal constellations?

Zodiacal constellations lie along the path of the sun, including Capricornus and Sagittarius.

What is astrology?

Astrology is the practice that connects celestial object positions to earthly events and human affairs.

Explain the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.

The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram plots stars according to their luminosity and temperature.

What are sunspots?

Sunspots are darker, cooler magnetic regions found on the sun's photosphere.

What are solar flares?

Solar flares are explosive bursts of energy from the sun's surface.

What is solar wind?

Solar wind is a continuous stream of charged particles emitted from the sun's corona.

Describe the corona of the sun.

The corona is the outermost atmospheric layer of the sun, visible during eclipses.

What occurs in the convective zone of the sun?

Hot plasma rises and cooler plasma sinks, creating convection currents.

What is the radiative zone of the sun?

The radiative zone is a dense layer where photons travel slowly outward.

What happens in the core of the sun?

In the core, nuclear fusion occurs, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing immense energy.

What are auroras?

Auroras are luminous phenomena occurring in Earth's upper atmosphere at high latitudes.

How do auroras form?

Auroras form when charged particles collide with atmospheric molecules, exciting them.

What color indicates oxygen above 200 km altitude in an aurora?

Red indicates oxygen above 200 km altitude.

What color indicates nitrogen at 100-200 km altitude in an aurora?

Blue indicates nitrogen at 100-200 km altitude.

What color indicates oxygen at 100-200 km altitude in an aurora?

Green indicates oxygen at 100-200 km altitude.

What color indicates nitrogen below 100 km altitude in an aurora?

Pink indicates nitrogen below 100 km altitude.

What is the relationship between temperature and pressure in the atmosphere?

Adding heat to a container increases the velocity of air molecules and creates higher pressure.

What phenomenon is created due to the Coriolis effect in the Northern Hemisphere?

The Coriolis effect deflects moving air to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.

What is the Hadley cell?

The Hadley cell is a circulation cell where air rises at the equator and sinks at 30 degrees, creating dry climates.

What type of climate does the Ferrel cell produce?

The Ferrel cell produces westerlies between 30 and 60 degrees.

What is produced by the polar cell?

The polar cell produces polar easterlies from the sinking cold air in polar regions.

What happens to air as it rises in elevation?

As air rises, it cools and releases moisture.

How does topography affect climate?

Topography produces distinct temperature changes as elevation increases.

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns.

What are the sources of climate change?

Climate change can be natural or driven by human activity.

What do constellations represent in astrology?

Constellations in astrology are thought to influence human affairs and personalities.

How do constellations form patterns?

Constellations form patterns due to different star magnitudes and their arrangement in the sky.

What is the role of the sun in weather?

The sun evaporates water, influencing weather through temperature and moisture in the atmosphere.

How do ocean currents impact climate?

Ocean currents affect climate by transferring heat and influencing weather patterns globally.

How does water vapor affect humidity?

More water vapor results in higher humidity, making the air feel wetter.

What is the role of the Earth's rotation affecting winds?

The Earth's rotation affects the direction of winds due to the Coriolis effect.