Rock & Plate Tectonics Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards related to rock and plate tectonics.

Weathering

Physical, chemical, and biological processes of breaking rocks down into smaller bits.

Erosion

Removal of weathered rock from the site of weathering.

Deposition

Settling of broken rock to form sediment.

Compaction

Sediments pressed together to form layers.

Cementation

Process of chemicals in water binding sediment together to create solid rock.

Melting

Heating of rock to form magma in Earth's mantle/lithosphere.

Crystallisation

Formation or process of crystals in melted rock that cools; forms igneous rock.

Metamorphosis

Process of rocks changing structure, form, or appearance due to high temperature or pressure.

Igneous Rock

Rock formed from cooled magma or lava.

Magma

Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.

Sedimentary Rock

Rock formed from compressed or cemented sediments.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock that has been changed by heat and pressure.

Sediments

Small pieces of rock, minerals, and organic material that have been broken down by weathering and erosion.

Density of Crust

Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust

Continental Drift

Process of tectonic plates/continents moving slowly away from each other due to sub-terrestrial forces or seafloor convection.

Seafloor Spreading

Process of magma cooling, creating new ocean crust; convection currents moving away from mid-ocean ridges.

Divergent Boundary

Boundary where two plates are moving away from one another.

Transform Boundary

Boundary where two plates are sliding against each other.

Convergent Boundary

Boundary where two plates are moving towards one another, causing a collision.

Seismology

Study of energy waves released by earthquakes, measuring on the Richter scale.

Volcanology

Study of volcanoes.

Lava

Molten rock that has erupted onto the surface of the Earth.

Magma

Molten rock below the Earth's surface.

Hot Spot

Isolated spot away from plate boundary where magma accumulates; creates islands/volcanoes.

Earthquake

Rapid movement of ground in all directions due to sudden release of energy from tectonic plates.

Focus

Place below Earth's surface where earthquakes begin; the site of energy release.

Epicentre

Place directly above the focus on Earth's surface.

Seismic Waves

Shaking, wave-like motion of the ground caused by earthquakes.

Digestion

The process where physical and chemical changes happen so the body can absorb it.

Mouth

The mouth uses saliva to break down food, and then sends the food down the esophagus.

Stomach

The stomach churns the food to break it down further using acids which create chyme.

Small Intestine

Chyme enters here. It absorbs nutrients from the food and sends it into the bloodstream

Large Intestine

Here the water is absorbed from the chyme and then the remaining solid waste is stored till removed from the body

Esophagus

A long tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, transporting food and liquids.

Bile

A substance produced by the liver that helps in the digestion of fats in the small intestine.

Pancreas

An organ near the stomach that produces enzymes to help digest carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Villi

finger-like projections lining the small intestine; they increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.

Rectum

The final section of the digestive system, where feces are formed and stored before elimination

Anus

The final portion of the digestive tract through which feces are expelled from the body

Liver

Produces bile, which helps break down fats; detoxifies blood; stores vitamins and minerals

Salivary glands

Digestive juice containing enzymes that break down carbohydrates.

Appendix

A small, finger-like pouch projecting from the colon; its function is not fully understood, thought to be vestigial.

Gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion.