Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Changes Essential Vocabulary

Practice flashcards covering core geological vocabulary on Earth layers, plate tectonics, rock types, surface processes, and fossils.

What is the Earth's crust?

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of rock, soil, and water.

What is the Earth's mantle?

The thick layer of the Earth beneath the crust, made of semi-solid rock that flows slowly.

What is the inner core of the Earth and what is it composed of?

The solid, innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

What is the outer core of the Earth?

The liquid layer of the Earth’s core, lying beneath the mantle and surrounding the inner core.

What does the theory of plate tectonics explain?

The movement of the Earth’s plates and the processes that occur at their boundaries.

What are plate boundaries?

The edges where two tectonic plates meet, which can be divergent, convergent, or transform.

What is a divergent boundary?

A type of plate boundary where two plates move apart, often resulting in the formation of new crust.

What is a convergent boundary?

A type of plate boundary where two plates move towards each other, often causing mountain formation or subduction.

What is a transform boundary?

A type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.

What is the rock cycle?

The continuous process of rock formation, breakdown, and reformation.

How are igneous rocks formed?

From the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.

How are sedimentary rocks formed?

From the compaction and cementation of sediments.

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

From the alteration of existing rock types due to heat and pressure.

What is weathering?

The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces by natural forces such as wind, water, and temperature changes.

What is erosion?

The movement of weathered rock and soil from one place to another by wind, water, or ice.

What is deposition?

The geological process where sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or landmass, occurring when transporting forces lose energy and can no longer carry the particles, causing them to settle and accumulate.

What causes an earthquake?

The movement of tectonic plates, which causes shaking of the Earth’s surface.

What is a volcano?

An opening in the Earth’s crust through which molten rock, ash, and gasses are ejected.

What are fossils and what purpose do they serve?

Preserved remains, impressions, or traces of organisms from a past geologic age (including bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints, or footprints) that provide crucial information about the history of life on Earth.