Science Midterm

Oceanography

the scientific study of the oceans and oceanic phenomena

includes living things

Astronomy

The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space

Meteorology

science dealing with the atmosphere and weather

Geology

Study of the earth

Biosphere

All living things on earth

Anthrosphere

Human construction (everything we build)

Atmosphere

The gases found in the atmosphere

Ex. Oxygen

Geosphere

any of the almost spherical concentric regions of matter that make up the earth and its atmosphere, as the lithosphere and hydrosphere.

Hydrosphere

All the water on earth

Density Triangle

Crust

Earth's outermost layer.

Mantle

The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core.

Outer Core

A layer of molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth

Inner Core

a dense ball of solid metal

Lithosphere

A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust.

Asthenosphere

The soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats.

Mesosphere

The strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core

Convection Currents

Circular currents in the mantle are caused by the magma being heated by the core of the Earth.

Divergent Boundary

A plate boundary is where two plates move away from each other.

Convergent Boundary

A plate boundary where two plates move toward each other.

Ex. Himalayan Mountain Range

Types of Convergent boundaries - Subduction & Collision

Transform Boundary

A plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposite directions

Intraplate

igneous activity that occurs within a tectonic plate away from plate boundaries

Ex. Hawaii

Pangaea

The name of the single landmass that broke apart 200 million years ago and gave rise to today's continents

contental drift

the movement of Earth's land masses over Earth's surface through geologic time

Plate Tectonic Theory

the theory that the lithosphere is broken up into large plates that move and then rejoin; considered the unifying theory of geology

Age of Rocks at the Mid Ocean Ridge

Increases as you move away from the ridge. Decreases as you move towards the ridge

What is plate motion caused by?

convection currents in the mantle

Ridge Push

when the force of gravity moves a plate downward and away from a ridge

Slab Pull

the pulling of a tectonic plate as its edge subducts deep into the mantle

What rock is the continental crust mainly composed of?

Granite

Density of Plate - About 2.7 g/cm3

What rock is oceanic crust mainly composed of?

Basalt

Density of Plate - 3.0 g/cm3

What is an Earthquake?

The result of two plates moving to cause vibrations within the earth

Epicenter

Point on Earth's surface directly above an earthquake's focus

Focus

The point beneath Earth's surface where rock breaks under stress and causes an earthquake

Surface Waves

seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface

L-waves (love waves)

surface seismic waves that cause the ground to ripple back and forth, creating a snake-like movement

R-waves (Rayleigh waves)

surface waves that cause the ground to ripple up and down; slow traveling waves

Body Waves

seismic waves that travel through the Earth's interior

P waves (Primary waves)

travel through liquids and solids, push and pull, faster, arrive first

S waves (secondary waves)

travel through solids only; cause rock to move in a side-to-side or up & down motion, slower waves

Unable to travel through earth's core

Are Body Waves or Surface Waves more destructive?

surface waves

How many seismic stations are necessary to find the epicenter of an earthquake?

3 stations

Three types of volcanoes

shield, cinder cone, composite

Three types of volcanonic zones

Pyroclastic Material

The volcanic rock ejected during an eruption, including ash, bombs, and blocks

Pyroclastic Flow

The expulsion of ash, cinders, bombs, and gases during an explosive volcanic eruption