Earth Science for test

Vocabulary flashcards based on Earth Science lecture notes.

Earth Science

The study of Earth’s structure, processes, history, and its place in the universe.

Geology

The study of the solid Earth, rocks, and geologic processes.

Meteorology

The study of the atmosphere and weather.

Oceanography

The study of oceans, currents, and marine systems.

Astronomy

The study of the universe and celestial bodies.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or prediction.

Theory

Well-substantiated explanation based on repeated confirmation.

Geosphere

Rock and solid Earth.

Hydrosphere

All water (liquid and frozen).

Atmosphere

Gaseous envelope; 78% N₂, 21% O₂.

Biosphere

All living organisms.

Mineral

Naturally occurring, inorganic solid with definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.

Hardness

Resistance to scratching (Mohs Scale).

Cleavage vs. Fracture

Tendency to break along smooth, flat surfaces vs. Irregular breakage.

Luster

Appearance of a mineral's surface in reflected light (metallic/nonmetallic).

Streak

Color of a mineral in powdered form.

Density

Mass per unit volume.

Igneous Rock

From cooled magma/lava.

Intrusive Igneous Rock

Slow cooling, big crystals (e.g., granite).

Extrusive Igneous Rock

Fast cooling, small/no crystals (e.g., basalt).

Sedimentary Rock

From weathered particles compacted/cemented.

Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

Fragments of other rocks and minerals (e.g. sandstone).

Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

Precipitation of minerals from solution (e.g. rock salt).

Organic Sedimentary Rocks

Remains of plants and animals (e.g. limestone).

Metamorphic Rock

Formed under heat/pressure.

Foliated Metamorphic Rock

Layered or banded appearance (e.g., gneiss).

Non-foliated Metamorphic Rock

Lack layered texture (e.g., marble).

Plate Tectonics Theory

Earth’s lithosphere is broken into plates that float on the asthenosphere.

Asthenosphere

Semi-fluid layer of the mantle allowing plate movement.

Convection Currents

Movement driven by convection currents in the mantle.

Divergent Boundary

Plates move apart (mid-ocean ridge).

Convergent Boundary

Plates collide (oceanic-continental: subduction zone).

Transform Boundary

Plates slide past (San Andreas Fault).

Earthquake

Sudden movement along a fault caused by stress buildup.

Seismograph

Instrument used to measure earthquakes.

Richter Scale

Scale to measure the magnitude of the earthquake.

Moment Magnitude Scale

A scale that measure the total energy released during an earthquake.

Mercalli Scale

Subjective scale that measures the intensity of an earthquake.

P-waves

Fastest seismic waves that travel through solids and liquids.

S-waves

Seismic waves that travel slower and only through solids.

Surface waves

Slowest, most damaging seismic waves.

Crust

Solid outer layer of Earth (continental & oceanic).

Mantle

Solid rock layer where convection occurs.

Outer core

Liquid iron/nickel layer that generates magnetic field.

Inner core

Solid iron/nickel.

Law of Superposition

Oldest rocks are on the bottom.

Cross-cutting relationships

Faults/intrusions are younger than what they cut.

Unconformities

Gaps in the rock record due to erosion.

Radioactive decay

Unstable isotopes break down into stable ones.

Half-life

Time for half of an isotope to decay.

Index Fossils

Widespread, short-lived; used to correlate layers.

Precambrian

Longest era; stromatolites, little oxygen.

Paleozoic

Marine life, trilobites.

Mesozoic

Age of dinosaurs.

Cenozoic

Age of mammals; Humans appear very late.

Mechanical Weathering

Physical breakdown (ice wedging, abrasion).

Chemical Weathering

Alters minerals (oxidation, acid rain).

Erosion

Movement by wind, water, ice, gravity.

Deposition

Sediments dropped when energy decreases.

Soil

Weathered rock + organic material.

Mass Wasting

Landslides, slumps, rockfalls.

Troposphere

Weather occurs here.

Stratosphere

Ozone layer is located here.

Weather Variables

Temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, clouds.

Cold front

Thunderstorms.

Warm front

Steady rain.

Occluded front

Mix.

Stationary front

Clouds, light rain.

Climate Factors

Latitude, elevation, ocean currents, proximity to water, mountains.

Greenhouse Effect

Keeps Earth warm (natural process).

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Human activity adds CO₂ → global warming.

Evidence of Climate Change

Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, shifting biomes.

Water Cycle

Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Infiltration/Runoff → Collection.

Aquifer

Underground water storage.

Aquifer

Wells tap into this.

Karst

Limestone areas with caves/sinkholes.

Continental margin

Shelf, slope, rise.

Mid-ocean ridge

Divergent boundary.

Trenches

Subduction zone.

Currents

Caused by wind & Coriolis effect.

Tides

Caused by Moon’s gravity.

Waves

Caused by wind.

Big Bang Theory

Universe started ~13.8 billion years ago; expanding still.

Stars Life Cycle

Nebula → Protostar → Main Sequence → Red Giant → White Dwarf/Supernova.

Inner planets

Rocky.

Outer planets

Gas giants.

Earth

Only planet with liquid water & life.

Rotation

Day.

Revolution

Year.

Tilt

Causes seasons.

Solar Eclipse

Moon blocks sun.

Lunar Eclipse

Earth blocks sun from moon.

Nonrenewable Resources

Resources that cannot be easily replenished.

Nonrenewable Resources Examples

Coal, oil, natural gas (formed from ancient organisms).

Renewable Resources Examples

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal.

Human Impact

Deforestation, pollution, climate change, habitat loss.

Conservation

Recycling, energy efficiency.

Geology

The study of Earth's crust and interior.

Meteorology

Physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere.

Oceanography

Physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the ocean.