Science unit 1A

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers concepts from plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and specific geodata regarding Mt. Everest and drilling investigations.

Mt. Everest

The tallest recorded mountain in the world, located on the border of China and Nepal.

Average yearly elevation increase of Mt. Everest

$0.79\,\text{inches}$ ($2\,\text{cm}$).

Average yearly movement of Mt. Everest

$1.6\,\text{inches}$ ($4\,\text{cm}$) to the northeast.

GPS Sensors (Mt. Everest context)

Highly sensitive receivers that can detect changes in mountain position as small as $1\,\text{mm}$.

Rock

A mixture of elements such as minerals and organic matter.

Rock Cycle

The process that changes rock from one kind to another.

Weathering

The process where rain, snow, or ice causes rock to break down or break apart.

Sediment

Little crumbs of rock created by the process of weathering.

Erosion

The process by which sediment is moved from place to place by water or wind.

Deposition

The process where sediment reaches its final resting place.

Magma

Liquid rock found underground.

Sedimentary Rock

Rock formed when sediment melts or compacts together; it is the only rock type where fossils can be found.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock formed deep within the Earth under conditions of extreme heat and pressure.

Igneous Rock

Rock formed when magma cools and hardens, often associated with volcanic activity.

Intrusive Rock

Igneous rock that forms when magma hardens underground.

Extrusive Rock

Igneous rock that forms when magma hardens above ground.

Convection Currents

Movements occurring in the mantle that are responsible for the movement of Earth's crust and tectonic plates.

Tectonic Plates

Large sections of Earth's crust that interact by colliding or pulling apart, often resulting in earthquakes and mountain changes.

Bedrock

Solid rock found below the surface materials like soil and sediment.

Sandstone

A rock formed from sand that has been compressed by very strong forces.

Limestone

A rock formed from the shells of small marine animals that have been compressed by very strong forces.

Granite

The most common type of solid rock encountered when digging deep on land.

Basalt

The most common type of solid rock encountered when drilling into the ocean floor; it is more dense than granite.

Density

The relationship between the amount of matter (mass) in a sample and the amount of space it takes up (volume).

Creep

A gradual shape change of rock caused by a combination of high temperature and compression over time.

Malleable

A state of rock deep underground where it becomes softer and moves or shifts more easily due to heat.

Kola Superdeep Borehole depth

$40,230\,\text{feet}$ ($7.6\,\text{miles}$), where rock temperature reached $356^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($180^{\circ}\text{C}$).

Magnitude

A measure used to describe the size or strength of an earthquake.

Epicenter

The point on Earth's surface directly above the origin of an earthquake.

Correlation

A relationship or connection between two things, such as the link between earthquake activity and mountain growth.