U3S5 Environmental Changes - Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on environmental changes and their effects.

ice age

a period when continental glaciers covered much of Earth’s surface

ice ages

long-term periods when continental ice sheets expand across continents

speciation

the evolutionary process through which new species emerge

solar energy

energy given off by the Sun

La Niña

an irregular climate event in the eastern Pacific Ocean during which surface waters become colder than usual

El Niño

an irregular climate event in the Pacific Ocean during which winds shift, pushing warm water toward the coast of South America

tectonic plate movement

the movement of Earth's plates due to convection in the mantle

global warming

a gradual increase in the temperature of Earth's atmosphere

tsunami

a large ocean wave usually caused by an undersea earthquake

earthquakes

sudden ground shaking that affects land and nearby populations

volcanic eruptions

events that cover land in lava and fill the air with ash and dust

forest fires

fires that destroy trees, burrows, dens, and nests

flooding

a condition in which water covers land, causing damage and destruction

drought

an extended period with little to no precipitation

small asteroid and comet impacts

small space objects that create craters in Earth’s surface and can kill organisms or populations

Mountain building

geological processes that raise mountain ranges and can affect living spaces for organisms

Changes in solar energy reaching Earth

variations in the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth, potentially affecting life

Oil spills

pollution from oil spills that harms organisms and habitats

Pollution

the introduction of harmful substances into the environment

Habitat destruction

the destruction or loss of natural habitats due to human activity

Clear-cutting

removal of all trees in an area for timber

Invasive species

non-native species that spread and cause harm to ecosystems

Forced migration

the movement of a population to a new area to find resources needed to sustain life

Extinction

the death of a species when it cannot adapt to changing conditions

Adaptation

an adjustment by individuals or populations to new environmental conditions that improves survival

Species

a group of organisms that can mate and produce offspring that can also mate