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Earth Systems and Resources Vocaabulary and Important Terms
Lithosphere
the rocky layer of the earth. includes the crust and the upper mantle
Athenosphere
the layer of the earth below the lithosphere. includes the lower mantle
Diverging
the type of plate boundary where two plates are moving away from each other
Converging
the type of plate boundary where two plates are moving towards each other
Subduction
a converging plate boundary where one plate gets pushed under the other and into the mantle, typically an ocean plate gets pushed under
Transform
the type of plate boundary where two plates are sliding next to each other
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
Diverging Boundary
At what boundary does Iceland, seafloor spreading, weak volcanoes, and earthquakes occur?
*NOTE: The word boundary is in the answer
Transform Boundary
At what boundary does the San Andreas Fault, sliding, no volcanoes, and earthquakes occur?
*NOTE: The word boundary is in the answer
Cascade Mountains
What is the land form is in the Pacific Northwest and is caused by Converging Plates?
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.
Sand, Silt, and Clay
What are the three types of particles found in soil?
Clay, Silt, Sand
What is the order of particle size of Silt, Sand, and Clay? Smallest to Largest.
Porosity
The volume of pore space
Permeability
The rate the fluid moves through soil
Retention
The amount of water that clings to sediment. Particle size and composition affect this.
Water Holding Capacity
The total amount of water soil can hold. This varies with different soils. Contributes to land productivity and fertility of soils.
Climate
The measure of the average temperature and average precipitation over a 30 year period.'
Topsoil
Horizon A is also known as what?
Subsoil
Horizon B is also known as what?
Biomass/Organic Matter
Horizon O is also known as what?
*NOTE: Two correct answers, separated by a slash
Weathered Bedrock
Horizon C contains mostly what?
Clay
Horizon B contains mostly what?
C, A, B
What is the order of formation of soil?
Soil Profile
A diagram that displays all the different layers of soil
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.
Wind, Water, Ice, and Humans
What are the 4 causes of soil erosion?
Water
Which cause of soil erosion is the most effective?
Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium
What are the 3 types of nutrients in soil?
Drainage Basin/Watershed
The area where surface water drains
Brackish
A mix of saltwater and freshwater
Estuary
The mouth of a freshwater river meeting ocean tide
Salinity
The concentration of salt in water
Divide
High land that separates watersheds. An example is the Rocky Mountains.
Head Waters/Source Waters
The highest point of a watershed
Riparian Vegetation
Plants that are located near water. They help filter pollution.
Tributary
Small rivers that flow into bigger rivers
Exosphere
The area between our atmosphere and space
Temperature Changes
How are the layers of the atmosphere distinguished from one another?
Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide
What 4 gases primarily make up the atmosphere?
Troposphere
The layer of the atmosphere where all weather occurs. The higher you go the lower the temperature.
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere that contains ozone. The higher you go the higher the temperature.
Mesosphere
The layer of the atmosphere that contains mostly hydrogen and helium. The higher you go the lower the temperature.
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.
UV-C
The atmosphere blocks ALL of what type of UV Light?
UV-B
The atmosphere blocks SOME of what type of UV Light?
UV-A
The atmosphere blocks NONE of what type of UV Light?
The tilt of Earth’s Axis of Rotation
Why do seasons occur on the Earth?
Insolation
Incoming Solar Radiation
June Solstice
When the Northern Hemisphere is fully tilted towards the sun
December Solstice
When the Northern Hemisphere is fully titled away from the sun
March Equinox/September Equinox
When we get equal amounts of day and night (12 hours light and 12 hours dark)
No Seasons
What would happen if the Earth had no tilt?
Note 
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