Earth Science Lecture Notes

Flashcards from lecture notes.

Lithosphere vs. Asthenosphere

Mechanically stronger than the asthenosphere; not as rigid as the lithosphere.

Differentiation

Transformation early in Earth's history to create layers.

Marine Magnetic Anomalies

Variations of magnetism seen in the seafloor as Earth's polarity changes.

Examples of Minerals

Ice, galena, calcite, rock salt.

Well-Developed Crystal Faces

When mineral growth occurs without obstruction from physical constraints or impurities.

Magma

Below ground molten material.

Lava

Above ground molten material.

Pyroclastic Debris

Fragments of rock & other material erupted from a volcano

Flux Melting

Melting triggered by the subduction of an ocean plate.

Decompression Melting

Melting that occurs when hot rock rises from greater depths to shallower depths.

Physical Weathering

Mechanical breakdown of rock into smaller fragments.

Chemical Weathering

Chemical breakdown of a rock by chemical reactions.

Epicenter

The point directly above the focus of an earthquake.

Viscosity

Resistance to flow.

Elastically Deformed Material

It returns to its original shape before stress was applied.

Why Three Seismograph Stations are Needed

Where their radius intersects gives you the location.

Stress and Strain Relationship

Stress causes strain (strain = change in shape).

Source of Freshwater

Glaciers (and upstate New York).

Greatest Challenge on Earth

Climate Change!

Rock B Characteristics

Poorly sorted, angular sediment.

Rock B Deposition

Deposited closer to its origin.

Rock A Sediment

Sediment was transported a long distance from its origin.