Earth Science Test Notes

What are the layers of the Earth?

Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core

What is the Lithosphere?

The lithosphere is made up of the crust and the top part of the mantle.

What is the Asthenosphere?

The asthenosphere is the mantle below the lithosphere.

What is the Earth's state?

The Earth has a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.

What are minerals?

Minerals are the naturally occurring building blocks of rocks.

What is Moh's Scale?

Moh's scale is used to find how easy/hard it is to scratch a mineral's surface.

What are the 10 minerals on Moh's Scale?

1. Talc 2. Gypsum 3. Calcite 4. Fluorite 5. Apatite 6. Orthoclase 7. Quartz 8. Topaz 9. Corundum 10. Diamond

What are the 5 criteria to be considered a mineral?

1. Solid under room temperature 2. Naturally occurring 3. Must be inorganic 4. Have a fixed chemical formula 5. Regular crystal structure

What is magma?

Magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.

What is lava?

Lava is molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth's surface.

How are igneous rocks formed?

Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava).

What is an intrusive igneous rock?

Intrusive rocks formed from magma cooling slowly deep beneath the Earth's surface.

What is an extrusive igneous rock?

Extrusive rocks formed from lava cooling quickly at or near the surface of the Earth.

What is a vesicular igneous rock?

A vesicular igneous rock has lots of small holes or air bubbles in it.

What is a mafic igneous rock?

A mafic igneous rock is high in magnesium and iron and is usually darker in color.

What is a felsic igneous rock?

A felsic igneous rock is high in silicon and aluminum and is usually lighter in color.

What is weathering?

Weathering is the process where rocks and minerals on Earth's surface are broken down into smaller pieces.

What is erosion?

Erosion is the process where soil, rock, and other surface materials are worn away and transported to a different location.

What are sedimentary rocks?

Sedimentary rocks are sediments that have undergone a process of compaction.

What are clastic sedimentary rocks?

Clastic sedimentary rocks are sediments compacted together by the weight of water or other sediments.

What are metamorphic rocks?

Metamorphic rocks are rocks exposed to extreme heat and pressure causing them to change form.

What are contact metamorphic rocks?

Contact metamorphic rocks are heated to high temperatures near lava or magma.

What is the rock cycle used for?

The rock cycle is used for showing the transformations of different types of rocks.

What is open cut mining?

Open cut mining is used when mineral deposits are near the surface and spread over a large area.

What is leach mining?

Leach mining involves injecting a fluid that dissolves the mineral into a deposit and pumped out through recovery pipes.