7th Grade- Geoscience Processes- Term 4

Earthquake

Major geological event that occurs when plates shift suddenly and release stored energy; a frequent occurrence along all types of plate boundaries

Geoscience Process

Any natural process that happens to Earth’s surface, such as weathering, erosion, or plate tectonics

Global

Relating to the whole world

Microscopic

Describing something so small that it can be seen only with a microscope

System

A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole

Tectonic Plate

Huge piece of crust that slowly moves on the upper, ductile part of the mantle

Deposition

The process by which gravity, water, wind, and ice deposit weathered and relocated sediment

Erosion

The process by which gravity, water, wind, and ice remove and transport sediment from one place to another

Erosional Features

Earth’s surface that shows evidence of the natural processes of weathering and the removal and relocation of weathered materials

Sediment

Earth material that is broken down by processes of weathering; can be eroded and deposited by the agents of water, wind, ice, and gravity

Surface Feature

Distinctive part, quality, or characteristic of Earth’s outer layer

Underground Formations

Areas of Earth that form caverns, which are typically made of limestone

Weathering

The mechanical or chemical processes by which gravity, water, wind, and ice break rocks into smaller pieces

Atmospheric Conditions

The temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation in the atmosphere

Catastrophic Events

Extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes; classified by the extent and intensity of their impact on the ecosystem

Flood

A rising body of water that submerges normally dry land

Forecast

A prediction or estimate of future events

Geologic Forces

Forces resulting from processes occurring within Earth’s crust

Natural Hazard

Event in nature that may have a negative effect

Seismic Waves

Waves of energy that travel through Earth and are the result of an earthquake, volcano, or explosion

Volcanic Eruption

Event in which molten rock spews out from the mantle to the surface of Earth as ash, lava, and gases