AP Environmental Science - Unit 4

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?