earth systems

convergent

• plates push toward each other

• causes volcanoes by seeping lava - melts and cools to form mountain chains as well.

divergent

• plates push away from each other

• magma rises , may cause ridges of volcanoes

• typically causes seafloor spreading

• earthquakes less frequently

transform

• plates push/slide past each other

• tends to have shallow earth quakes - more frequent

earth quake

a sudden movement in earther curst caused by a release of potential energy from the movement of tectonic plates

volcanoes

a vent in earthers surface - emits ash smoke and molten lava

hot spot

a place where molten lava material from the earths mantle reaches the lithosphere

tsunami

series of waves caused by seismic activity and an undersea volcano that causes massive water displacement

igneous rock

a rock formed from cooled magma

metamorphic rock

rock formed from type of rock that was subjected to high temperatures

sedimentary

a rock formed from compressed sediments

humus

organic part of soil - decomposed leaves

O horizon - organic

organic layer - humus and detritus

A horizon - topsoil

topsoil layer - overlying organic material mixed with underlying mineral material

• animals burrow here

• plant roots grow

E horizon zone of leaching

zone of leaching nutrients are lost to zone of saturation of groundwater

• contamination can happen here into aquifers

leaching cycle

1. precipitation occurs

2. rain percolates the soil

3. groundwater recharged

4. opportunity for contamination from surface pollutants

5. possible nutrients leaching

B horizon subsoil

subsoil layer - deep tree / plant roots , water table can begin here

C horizon parent material

parent material - unweathered gravel, sand, silt & clay

R horizon bedrock

bedrock - wheatehered solid rock - mostly impermeable

monoculture

one type of crops

crop rotation / intercropping

plants work together to help one another grow

drip irrigation

specific amount of water directly deposited into the soil

watershed

a geographic area where all water flows into one source or particular wetland

permiability

ability of water to move through the soil

porosity

measure of empty space available for flow of matter