Earth Science ELA Nonfiction Unit

lava

the melted rock that comes out of a volcano

eruption

a sudden outbreak of something, especially something unwelcome

avalanche

a sudden falling of ice, snow, or mud down the side of a mountain.

explosion

a violent tearing apart.

survivors

people or living things that did not die in a tragedy.

colonizers

people or living things that move into a new area.

ridge

a long, narrow hilltop with an edge.

trench

a long, narrow ditch.

currents

air, water, or electricity moving in a specific direction

gyre

a spiral or circular pattern.

tides

the rising and falling of the ocean as water is attracted by gravity to the moon and the sun.

tsunami

a long, high, sea wave caused by an earthquake in the ocean.

solar system

the entire collection of planets and other bodies that orbit the sun.

revolve

to turn on an axis.

orbit

to travel around something

atom

the smallest particle of a substance.

atmosphere

a layer of gas surrounding a planet.

sun spot

a type of storm causing one part of the sun to burn hotter.