EVS 207 Final Review

Flashcards covering key concepts from EVS 207 related to Earth Science, plate tectonics, environmental impacts, and pollution.

Crust

The thinnest and outermost layer of Earth, which can be oceanic or continental.

Mantle

The thickest section of Earth, subdivided into different zones with varying properties.

Core

The innermost section of the Earth, consisting of a liquid outer portion and a solid inner portion.

Lithosphere

The rigid and brittle outer shell of Earth, composed of the crust and uppermost mantle.

Asthenosphere

The plastic zone of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats.

Divergent boundary

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other.

Convergent boundary

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other.

Transform boundary

A plate boundary where two plates slide past each other along a vertical fault plane.

Subduction

The process in which a more dense downgoing plate sinks beneath an overriding plate at a convergent boundary.

Greenhouse Effect

The process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping back into space.

Albedo

The percentage of radiation reflected from a surface; light-colored objects have a higher albedo.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen required by decomposer bacteria to break down organic matter in water.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of oxygen dissolved in water, essential for the survival of aquatic organisms.

Water Pollution

Any physical, biological, or chemical change in water quality harmful to living organisms.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that can be replenished naturally on a human timescale, such as solar or wind energy.

Geothermal Energy

Energy obtained from the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface.

Hot-spot volcanoes

Volcanoes that form from mantle plumes independent of plate boundaries.

Ring of Fire

The rim of the Pacific Plate known for its high volcanic activity and seismic events.

Climate Change

Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system.

Water Quality Indicators

biological, physical, chemical

The impact of nutrients on stream health

stimulate growth of aquatic plants and photosynthesis

3 Major Categories of Rocks

Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

Igneous

form from solidification of molten rock (magma)

Sedimentary

form from pieces of sediment created by weathering of pre-existing rocks

Metamorphic

form from increased temperature, prssure, and stress applied to pre-existing rocks

Greenhouse Gases

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide

Indicators of Climate Change

warmer - earlier spring

drylands - become drier

melting of sea ice

more extreme weather events

ocean acidification and rising sea levels

Sea-level Rise from warmer temps

thermal expansion

melting land ice/glaciers

Air pollutants

ground level ozone

particle matter

carbon monoxide

sulfur dioxide

nitrogen oxides

lead

Point Sources

discharge pollution from specific locations such as pipes or drains, typically regulated by permits to control the quantity and quality of pollutants.

Non-point sources

scattered or diffuse, having no specific location of discharge