Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to Earth's structure, plate tectonics, minerals, and sedimentary processes, as outlined in the lecture notes.

Crust

The thin, outermost solid shell of the Earth.

Mantle

The thick layer of mostly solid rock beneath the Earth's crust where convection occurs.

Core

The innermost layer of the Earth, consisting of a liquid outer core and a solid inner core made of iron and nickel.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, composed of the crust and the upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

The ductile layer of the mantle located beneath the lithosphere that flows and drives plate tectonics.

Isostasy

The state of gravitational equilibrium between the Earth's crust and mantle.

Airy Model

A theory that explains the balance of Earth's crust with thick crustal 'roots' under mountains.

Pratt Model

A model that explains variations in elevation based on density differences in the Earth's crust.

Plate Tectonics

The theory that describes the movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere, leading to geological phenomena.

Divergent Boundaries

Boundaries where tectonic plates move apart, forming new crust at mid-ocean ridges.

Convergent Boundaries

Boundaries where tectonic plates collide, creating mountains or subduction zones.

Transform Boundaries

Boundaries where tectonic plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Hotspots

Volcanic regions that are not located at plate boundaries; they can create chains of volcanoes.

Minerals

Naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a crystalline structure, defined by chemical composition and physical properties.

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks formed from the compaction and cementation of sediments.

Metamorphism

The process of changing rocks through heat and pressure without melting.

Foliation

A texture in metamorphic rocks where mineral grains are arranged in layers.

Geologic Time Scale

A system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time.

Relative Dating

A method of determining the age of rocks by comparing them to other rocks.

Weathering

The breakdown of rocks into smaller particles by mechanical or chemical processes.

Erosion

The transport of sediment by natural forces such as wind, water, ice, or gravity.