APES Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

asthenosphere

The soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats.

continental drift

The hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present locations

convergent boundary

when two tectonic plates push into one another, the boundary where they meet.

divergent boundary

The boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other

earthquake

The shaking that results from the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface.

lithosphere

A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust.

mantle

The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core.

tectonic plates

Sections of the Earth's crust that move due to convection currents.

transform plate boundary

Boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other.

tsunami

a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance.

volcano

A vent or fissure in the Earth's surface through which magma and gases are expelled

erosion

Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering, glaciation)

soil horizon

The layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it.

soil profile

All the vertical layers or horizons that make up a soil in a particular place

weathering

The breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface.

permeability

The ability of a rock or sediment to let fluids pass through its open spaces, or pores.

porosity

The percentage of the total volume of a rock or sediment that consists of open spaces.

soil texture triangle

Shows the relationship between soil texture and percentage of clay, silt, and sand

water holding capacity

the ability to retain moisture during the application of external forces like heating, grinding and pressing

convection

Process by which, in a fluid being heated, the warmer part of the mass will rise and the cooler portions will sink.

convection cell

A circular pattern of air rising, air sinking, and wind.

coriolis effect

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents.

gyres

A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

hadley cell

a large-scale atmospheric convection cell in which air rises at the equator and sinks at medium latitudes, typically about 30° north or south.

insolation

the delivery rate of solar radiation per unit of horizontal surface

latitude

Distance north or south of the equator

solstice

Either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator

climate

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

rain shadow effect

Precipitation falls on the windward side of a mountain range, resulting in lush vegetation & a warm, moist climate on one side, but a desert area on the leeward side.

weather

day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere, including temperature, precipitation, and other factors

upwelling

the upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents

oscillation

the act or state of swinging back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm

watershed

An ecosystem where all water runoff drains into a single body of water

slope

changes in the physical features of the land: its elevation, orientation, and topography.

vegetation

the plants of a place or region

watershed development

refers to the conservation regeneration and the judicious use of all the resources - natural ( like land, water plants, animals) and human - within the watershed area

storm water runoff

water, usually from precipitation, that runs off roofs, lawns, and paved areas.

atmosphere

A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth

troposhpere

Layer of the atmosphere where all life lives, and where the air is most dense. Colder as altiude increases.

stratosphere

2nd layer of atmosphere; extends from 10 to 30 miles up; location of ozone layer; absorbs 95% of Ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude increase.

mesosphere

The strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core

thermosphere

The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases

exosphere

The outer layer of the thermosphere, extending outward into space.