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continental accretion
Continents grew more rapidly along their
margins
craton
the stable interior portion of a continent that has not been affected by significant tectonic activity for a long time.
banded iron formation
a sedimentary rock formation consisting of alternating layers of iron-rich minerals and silica, indicating ancient oceanic conditions.
continental red bed
a type of sedimentary rock that is typically reddish in color due to the presence of iron oxide, often found in continental environments.
Canadian shield
the exposed portion of the North American craton, characterized by ancient rocks and significant mineral resources.
great oxygenation event
a significant increase in Earth's atmospheric oxygen levels around 2.4 billion years ago, primarily due to photosynthetic microorganisms.
komatiite
a high-temperature volcanic rock that is rich in magnesium and iron, typically formed in the mantle and indicative of early Earth conditions.
outgassing
the release of gases from the Earth's interior, which contributed to the formation of the atmosphere and oceans.
platform
a stable, relatively flat region of the Earth's crust that has not been significantly deformed and is often covered by sedimentary rocks.
shield
a large area of exposed Precambrian crystalline rocks that forms the core of a continent, characterized by its stability and lack of significant tectonic activity.
aerobic
relating to processes or organisms that require oxygen to survive or function, often involved in biological respiration.
acritarchs
microscopic, organic-walled fossils that are typically found in marine sediments, dating back to the Proterozoic and Paleozoic eras. They are important for biostratigraphy and understanding ancient ecosystems.
Ediacaran Fauna
a group of diverse, soft-bodied organisms that existed during the Ediacaran Period, known for their unique shapes and potential early multicellular life forms.
endosymbiosis
the theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms, where one organism lives inside another, benefiting both.
eukaryotic cell
a type of cell with a nucleus and organelles, distinct from prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are found in animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
monomer
a small molecule that can join together with other similar molecules to form larger structures, such as polymers.
multi-celled organism
an organism composed of multiple cells that work together to perform functions necessary for life, such as in animals and plants.
polymer
a large molecule made up of repeating structural units (monomers) bonded together, forming substances like plastics, proteins, and nucleic acids.
prokaryotic cell
A single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, typically smaller than eukaryotic cells. Includes bacteria and archaea.
stromatolite
A layered sedimentary structure formed by the activity of microbial communities, particularly cyanobacteria, often found in shallow marine environments
cratonic sequence
A major stratigraphic unit that represents a complete cycle of sedimentary deposition and erosion on a craton, typically spanning millions of years.
epeiric sea
A shallow sea that covers a continental shelf, often during periods of high sea level, allowing for extensive sediment deposition.
mobile belt
A tectonically active region where significant deformation occurs, typically associated with mountain building and orogenic processes.
orogeny
The process of mountain formation through tectonic forces, typically involving the folding, faulting, and uplift of the Earth's crust.
Pangea
a supercontinent that existed millions of years ago when all the continents were joined together.
Pannotia
a supercontinent that preceded Pangea, existing during the late Proterozoic era, characterized by the assembly of all landmasses.
Panthalassa
the vast ocean that surrounded Pangea, covering most of the Earth's surface during the late Paleozoic era.
regression
a geological process where sea levels fall, exposing land previously submerged underwater
Rodinia
a supercontinent that existed during the Neoproterozoic era, consisting of most of Earth's landmasses before Pannotia.
transgression
a geological process where sea levels rise, flooding land previously exposed.
Wilson Cycle
the cycle of ocean basin formation and closure, driven by plate tectonics.
benthos
the community of organisms living on or in the seabed, also known as the benthic zone.
body fossil
a fossilized remains of an organism, typically including bones, teeth, and shells, that provide insight into past life forms.
chordate
an animal that has a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail at some point in its development.
fossil
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock
nekton
aquatic organisms that swim independently of water currents. They include fish, squid, sharks, and marine mammals.
plankton
the small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water, consisting chiefly of diatoms, protozoans, small crustaceans, and the eggs and larval stages of larger animals
taphonomy
the branch of paleontology that deals with the processes of fossilization.
trace fossil
evidence of ancient life that are not the preserved remains of the organism itself
What are North America’s 4 Mobile Belts?
Appalachian, Duachita, Cordilleran, Franklin
