Earth Science - Environmental Science 2

Rock

Mineral aggregates that make up Earth’s crust, formed from combinations of minerals

Igneous Rock

Rocks formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies

Intrusive Igneous Rock

Igneous rock formed below Earth’s surface

Extrusive Igneous Rock

Igneous rock formed on Earth’s surface

Sedimentary Rock

Rocks formed from deposition, compaction, and cementation of sediments

Sedimentation

Process where materials settle and accumulate in layers over time

Metamorphic Rock

Rocks formed when existing rocks change due to heat, pressure, or chemical processes

Metamorphism

Process of changing rock form due to heat and pressure

Mineral

Naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a crystal structure and definite chemical composition

Continental Drift

Theory that continents move over geological time across Earth’s surface

Pangea

Supercontinent that existed about 250 million years ago before breaking apart

Volcano

Opening in Earth’s crust where lava, ash, and gases erupt

Pyroclastic Flow

Fast-moving, highly destructive flow of hot gas and volcanic material

Rock Deformation

Process where rocks change shape due to stress

Stress

Force applied per unit area on rocks

Brittle Deformation

Rock behavior where rocks break or fracture under stress

Ductile Deformation

Rock behavior where rocks bend or flow without breaking

Fault

Fracture in rocks where movement has occurred

Joints

Fractures in rocks with no movement

Breccia

Rock made of angular fragments formed by breaking of rocks

Folds

Bends in rock layers caused by compressional stress

Foliation

Layering in metamorphic rocks caused by mineral alignment

Lineation

Linear mineral alignment in metamorphic rocks

Tensional Stress

Stress that pulls rocks apart

Compressional Stress

Stress that pushes rocks together

Shear Stress

Stress where rocks slide past each other horizontally

Fracture

Break in rock where deformation becomes irreversible

Hydrothermal Ore Deposit

Mineral deposits formed by hot, mineral-rich water circulating in Earth’s crust

Solar Power

Energy from sunlight used to generate electricity

GHS Pictogram (Health Hazard)

Symbol indicating substances that may cause serious health effects such as cancer

Titanium Dioxide Hazard Classification

Health Hazard (suspected carcinogen)

Mount Pinatubo VEI Classification

VEI-6 eruption with eruption column exceeding 35 km and large erupted volume

Coral Death Factors

Coral bleaching, nutrient runoff causing algal overgrowth, and disruption of zooxanthellae symbiosis

Mt

Kanlaon Eruption Type

Phreatic eruption caused by steam-driven explosive activity

Guinsaugon Landslide Type

Rockslide–debris avalanche caused by rapid downhill movement of rock and soil

Earthquake

Sudden shaking of the ground caused by release of energy along faults

Epicenter

Point on Earth’s surface directly above the earthquake focus

Focus (Hypocenter)

Point inside Earth where the earthquake originates

Fault

Crack in Earth’s crust where movement occurs

Seismic Waves

Energy waves released during an earthquake

P-Waves

Fastest seismic waves; travel through solids and liquids

S-Waves

Slower waves; travel only through solids

Surface Waves

Most destructive seismic waves that travel along Earth’s surface

Magnitude

Measure of earthquake energy (Richter or moment magnitude concept)

Intensity

Measure of earthquake effects/damage (Modified Mercalli scale)

Aftershock

Smaller quake following the main earthquake

Soil

Mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air on Earth’s surface

Weathering

Breakdown of rocks into smaller particles

Physical Weathering

Mechanical breakdown without chemical change

Chemical Weathering

Breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions

Biological Weathering

Breakdown of rocks due to organisms

Erosion

Transport of soil and rock by wind, water, or gravity

Deposition

Settling of transported sediments

Soil Profile

Layers of soil (O, A, B, C horizons)

Topsoil (A Horizon)

Most fertile soil layer with organic matter

Water Cycle

Continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth

Evaporation

Liquid water changes into vapor due to heat

Transpiration

Release of water vapor from plants

Condensation

Water vapor cools and forms clouds

Precipitation

Water falls as rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Runoff

Water flows over land into bodies of water

Infiltration

Water enters the ground

Groundwater

Water stored underground in soil and rock

Geologic Time Scale

Division of Earth’s history into time units

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces of ancient life

Fossilization

Process of fossil formation

Superposition Principle

Older rock layers are found below younger layers

Relative Dating

Determining age of rocks based on position

Absolute Dating

Determining exact age using radioactive methods (basic idea only)

Precambrian

Early Earth formation and first life

Paleozoic

Marine life and early land organisms

Mesozoic

Age of dinosaurs

Cenozoic

Age of mammals and humans

Subduction Zone

One tectonic plate sinks beneath another