cram sesh

Big Bang

The beginning of the universe, characterized by rapid expansion from an infinitely hot, dense point.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

Evidence supporting the Big Bang, representing the remnant heat from the early universe.

Nebular Hypothesis

A theory explaining the formation of the Sun, planets, and solar system from a solar nebula.

Giant Impact Theory

A theory suggesting that a Mars-sized object struck Earth, leading to the formation of the Moon from the debris.

James Hutton

The founder of Uniformitarianism, stating that modern geologic processes operated the same in the past.

Catastrophism

An old belief that Earth was formed by sudden catastrophic events, associated with James Ussher's view on Earth's age.

Hazard

A potential danger.

Disaster

An actual damaging event; hazard does not equal disaster.

Risk Assessment Steps

A sequence of steps to identify and evaluate risks related to natural hazards.

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce future damage from natural hazards.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population that an environment can support.

J-Curve

A graphical representation of unlimited resources leading to exponential growth.

S-Curve

A graphical representation of population growth slowing and leveling off as it reaches carrying capacity.

Earthquake

Sudden release of stored strain energy in the Earth's crust.

Focus

The underground origin of an earthquake.

Epicenter

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

P-wave

The fastest seismic wave, which is compressional and can travel through solids and liquids.

S-wave

A shear seismic wave that can only travel through solids.

Surface Waves

The most destructive seismic waves, including Love waves and Rayleigh waves.

Volcano

An opening in the Earth's crust where magma can erupt as lava.

Viscosity

The resistance to flow of a substance; in volcanology, typically refers to lava.

Shield Volcano

A type of volcano with gentle slopes and low viscosity lava, such as those in Hawaii.

Composite Volcano

A volcano, like Mt. St. Helens, characterized by high silica and gas levels, leading to explosive eruptions.

Tsunami

A long wavelength wave typically caused by subduction earthquakes and characterized by vertical displacement of the seafloor.

Run-up

The highest elevation reached by a tsunami.

Inundation

How far inland water travels during a tsunami.

Aa Lava

A type of lava that is rough and jagged.

Pahoehoe Lava

A type of lava that is smooth and ropey.

Uniformitarianism

The principle that modern geological processes are the same as those that were in operation in the past.

James Ussher

A historical figure who believed the Earth was around 6000 years old based on biblical chronology.

Earthquake Magnitude

A measure of the energy released by an earthquake.

Earthquake Intensity

A measure of the damage observed from an earthquake.