Geology and Earth Sciences Vocabulary Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms from geology and earth sciences to assist with exam preparation.

Biosphere

Life zone

Absolute age:

The actual numerical age of a rock or fossil.

Alluvial fan:

A deposit shaped like a fan.

Caldera

A large caldron-type depression formed after a volcanic eruption.

Atmosphere:

Layers of gases around Earth.

Atoll:

Ring-shaped coral island around a lagoon.

Chemical weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions.

Cinder cone

The simplest type of volcano, typically formed from volcanic debris.

Continental drift

The gradual movement of Earth's continents from the supercontinent Pangea to their current positions.

Continental shelf

The underwater edge of a continent.

Convection

The transfer of heat by the movement of fluids.

Convergent boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates move toward each other.

Cryosphere

The frozen water component of the Earth.

Delta

A landform created by sediment deposition at the mouth of a river.

Deposition

The process where sediment settles out of water or wind.

Desert

A dry area with very little rainfall.

Desertification

The process through which land becomes desert-like.

Divergent boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates move apart.

Earthquake

The shaking of the ground caused by tectonic plate movement.

Erosion

The wearing away of rocks and soil by natural forces.

Experiment

A test performed to check a hypothesis.

Fault

A crack in Earth's crust where movement has occurred.

Geosphere

The solid part of Earth.

Glacier

A large mass of slow-moving ice.

Hydrosphere

All of the water present on Earth.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation for a scientific phenomenon.

Igneous rock

Rock that forms from cooled magma or lava.

Magma

Molten rock located beneath Earth's surface.

Mechanical weathering

The physical breakdown of rocks.

Mesa

A flat-topped hill with steep sides.

Metamorphic rock

Rock that has been transformed by heat and pressure.

Mid-ocean ridge

An underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics.

Mineral

A naturally occurring solid with a definite chemical composition.

Orogeny

The process of mountain formation.

Plate tectonics

The scientific theory that describes the movement of Earth's plates.

Porosity

The measure of empty spaces in rocks that can hold fluids.

Pyroclastic flow

A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic debris.

Radiometric dating

A method used to determine the age of rocks via radioactive decay.

Relative age

The age of a rock compared to that of other rocks.

Rock cycle

The continuous process of rock formation and change.

Scientific law

A statement that describes consistent natural phenomena.

Scientific theory

A well-tested explanation of natural phenomena.

Seafloor spreading

The process by which new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges.

Sedimentary rock

Rock formed from compacted sediments.

Seismic wave

Energy waves produced by earthquakes.

Shield volcano

A broad, gently sloping volcano formed by lava flows.

Soil

A mixture of minerals and organic matter.

Transform boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates slide past one another.

Weathering

The breakdown of rocks at Earth's surface.