Untitled Flashcards Set

Latitude

Refers to how far north or south a location is from the Equator.

Longitude

Refers to how far east or west a location is from the Prime Meridian.

Isostasy

The equilibrium or balance of the Earth's lithosphere as it floats on the more fluid asthenosphere beneath it.

Post-glacial rebound

The process of the land rising after the melting of glaciers that had compressed it.

Downwelling

The downward movement of surface water to deeper layers due to increased density.

Upwelling

The rise of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface.

Coriolis effect

The way Earth's rotation causes moving objects, like wind and ocean currents, to appear to curve.

Thermohaline circulation

The joint effect of temperature and salinity that drives deep ocean currents.

Salinity

The amount of dissolved solids in water, primarily sodium chloride.

Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct or transmit heat, electricity, or sound.

Divergent boundary

A tectonic boundary where two plates move apart from each other.

Subduction zone

A tectonic boundary where one plate is forced beneath another.

Balancing threshold

The point where the weight of the land plate and the material added to it balance out.

Oceanic Crust

Denser and thinner crust typically about 5-10 km thick.

Continental Crust

Less dense and thicker crust typically about 30-50 km thick.

Focus (in earthquakes)

The starting point of an earthquake where the elastic strain is released.

Mantle plume

A column of hot, solid material rising from deep within the Earth's mantle.

Isostatic equilibrium

Equilibrium between parts of the earth's crust, responsive to surface load changes.

Nutrient-rich water

Water that has a high concentration of nutrients, supporting marine life.

Density (in geology)

The mass per unit volume of a material expressed in g/cm3.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the earth, including the crust and upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

The semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere.

Mesosphere

The middle layer of the Earth's interior between the asthenosphere and outer core.

Electrical conductivity related to salinity

When salinity increases, the electrical conductivity of water also increases.

Cold temperatures impact water density

Cooler water is denser and therefore sinks in the ocean.

Higher salinity impact on water density

Higher salinity makes water heavier, causing it to sink.

Accumulating elastic strain

The buildup of stress in the Earth's lithosphere that can result in an earthquake.

Mountain building at subduction zones

Occurs when the oceanic plate converges with the continental plate, causing the continental plate to rise.