AP Environmental Science - Unit 4

studied byStudied by 1 person
0.0(0)
Get a hint
Hint

Lithosphere

1 / 52

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

Earth Systems and Resources Vocaabulary and Important Terms

53 Terms

1

Lithosphere

the rocky layer of the earth. includes the crust and the upper mantle

New cards
2

Athenosphere

the layer of the earth below the lithosphere. includes the lower mantle

New cards
3

Diverging

the type of plate boundary where two plates are moving away from each other

New cards
4

Converging

the type of plate boundary where two plates are moving towards each other

New cards
5

Subduction

a converging plate boundary where one plate gets pushed under the other and into the mantle, typically an ocean plate gets pushed under

New cards
6

Transform

the type of plate boundary where two plates are sliding next to each other

New cards
7

Converging Boundary

At what boundary does the Ring of Fire, subduction, strong volcanoes, mountains, island arcs, and earthquakes occur?

*NOTE: The word boundary is in the answer

New cards
8

Diverging Boundary

At what boundary does Iceland, seafloor spreading, weak volcanoes, and earthquakes occur?

*NOTE: The word boundary is in the answer

New cards
9

Transform Boundary

At what boundary does the San Andreas Fault, sliding, no volcanoes, and earthquakes occur?

*NOTE: The word boundary is in the answer

New cards
10

Cascade Mountains

What is the land form is in the Pacific Northwest and is caused by Converging Plates?

New cards
11

Hotspots

Volcanoes that are located in the middle of plates and do not move. They make up less than 1% of volcanoes. Examples are Yellowstone and Hawaii.

New cards
12

Sand, Silt, and Clay

What are the three types of particles found in soil?

New cards
13

Clay, Silt, Sand

What is the order of particle size of Silt, Sand, and Clay? Smallest to Largest.

New cards
14

Porosity

The volume of pore space

New cards
15

Permeability

The rate the fluid moves through soil

New cards
16

Retention

The amount of water that clings to sediment. Particle size and composition affect this.

New cards
17

Water Holding Capacity

The total amount of water soil can hold. This varies with different soils. Contributes to land productivity and fertility of soils.

New cards
18

Climate

The measure of the average temperature and average precipitation over a 30 year period.'

New cards
19

Topsoil

Horizon A is also known as what?

New cards
20

Subsoil

Horizon B is also known as what?

New cards
21

Biomass/Organic Matter

Horizon O is also known as what?

*NOTE: Two correct answers, separated by a slash

New cards
22

Weathered Bedrock

Horizon C contains mostly what?

New cards
23

Clay

Horizon B contains mostly what?

New cards
24

C, A, B

What is the order of formation of soil?

New cards
25

Soil Profile

A diagram that displays all the different layers of soil

New cards
26

Soil Leeching

The process of all the nutrients in soil sinking to the bottom of the soil profile and plants cannot access the nutrients. This occurs in the forest due to Slash and Burn.

New cards
27

Wind, Water, Ice, and Humans

What are the 4 causes of soil erosion?

New cards
28

Water

Which cause of soil erosion is the most effective?

New cards
29

Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium

What are the 3 types of nutrients in soil?

New cards
30

Drainage Basin/Watershed

The area where surface water drains

New cards
31

Brackish

A mix of saltwater and freshwater

New cards
32

Estuary

The mouth of a freshwater river meeting ocean tide

New cards
33

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water

New cards
34

Divide

High land that separates watersheds. An example is the Rocky Mountains.

New cards
35

Head Waters/Source Waters

The highest point of a watershed

New cards
36

Riparian Vegetation

Plants that are located near water. They help filter pollution.

New cards
37

Tributary

Small rivers that flow into bigger rivers

New cards
38

Exosphere

The area between our atmosphere and space

New cards
39

Temperature Changes

How are the layers of the atmosphere distinguished from one another?

New cards
40

Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide

What 4 gases primarily make up the atmosphere?

New cards
41

Troposphere

The layer of the atmosphere where all weather occurs. The higher you go the lower the temperature.

New cards
42

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that contains ozone. The higher you go the higher the temperature.

New cards
43

Mesosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that contains mostly hydrogen and helium. The higher you go the lower the temperature.

New cards
44

Thermosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that contains small amounts of hydrogen. The higher you go the higher the temperature. Temperature is either very hot or very cold depending on the position of the sun.

New cards
45

UV-C

The atmosphere blocks ALL of what type of UV Light?

New cards
46

UV-B

The atmosphere blocks SOME of what type of UV Light?

New cards
47

UV-A

The atmosphere blocks NONE of what type of UV Light?

New cards
48

The tilt of Earth’s Axis of Rotation

Why do seasons occur on the Earth?

New cards
49

Insolation

Incoming Solar Radiation

New cards
50

June Solstice

When the Northern Hemisphere is fully tilted towards the sun

New cards
51

December Solstice

When the Northern Hemisphere is fully titled away from the sun

New cards
52

March Equinox/September Equinox

When we get equal amounts of day and night (12 hours light and 12 hours dark)

New cards
53

No Seasons

What would happen if the Earth had no tilt?

New cards

Explore top notes

note Note
studied byStudied by 33 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 19 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 2 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 18 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 5 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 1 person
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 99 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(2)
note Note
studied byStudied by 2412 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(3)

Explore top flashcards

flashcards Flashcard36 terms
studied byStudied by 10 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard54 terms
studied byStudied by 5 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard33 terms
studied byStudied by 37 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard22 terms
studied byStudied by 12 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard31 terms
studied byStudied by 3 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard35 terms
studied byStudied by 39 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard32 terms
studied byStudied by 4 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)
flashcards Flashcard34 terms
studied byStudied by 50 people
Updated ... ago
5.0 Stars(1)