50 word Earth Science Multi-Syllable Vocabulary

Topographic

to-po-graph-ic

Relating to the arrangement of the physical features of an area.

Landforms

land-forms

Natural features of the Earth's surface, such as mountains, valleys, or plains.

Elevation

el-e-va-tion

The height of a place or object above a given reference point, especially sea level.

Terrain

ter-rain

The physical character and stretch of land in a specific area.

Geologic

ge-o-log-ic

Relating to the origin, history, structure, and composition of the Earth's crust.

Distribution

dis-tri-bu-tion

The way in which something is spread out or arranged over a particular area.

Structural

struc-tur-al

Relating to the arrangement of or relations between the parts of a complex system.

Formations

for-ma-tions

Structures, arrangements, or shapes that have been created naturally over time.

Latitude

lat-i-tude

The distance north or south of the Earth's equator, measured in degrees.

Longitude

long-i-tude

The distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees.

Geographic

ge-o-graph-ic

Based on or concerning the physical features of the Earth and its atmosphere.

Coordinates

co-or-di-nates

A set of numbers used to specify the exact location of a point on a map or grid.

Absolute

ab-so-lute

Not dependent on or relative to anything else; exact and definite.

Location

lo-ca-tion

A particular position or place in physical space.

Diagram

di-a-gram

A simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something.

Representing

rep-re-sent-ing

Serving as a sign, symbol, or depiction of something else.

Vertical

ver-ti-cal

Positioned at a right angle to a horizontal plane or baseline; upright.

Cosmological

cos-mo-log-i-cal

Relating to the origin, evolution, and overall structure of the universe.

Expansion

ex-pan-sion

The action of becoming larger, wider, or more open in size or volume.

Universe

u-ni-verse

All existing matter, energy, space, and time considered as a whole.

Singularity

sin-gu-lar-i-ty

A point in space-time at which matter is compressed into infinite density.

Galaxy

gal-ax-y

A massive system of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.

Gravitationally

grav-i-ta-tion-al-ly

In a manner caused by or related to the attractive force of gravity.

Stellar

stel-lar

Relating to or characteristic of a star or stars.

Remnants

rem-nants

Small remaining quantities of something after the main part has been destroyed or transformed.

Interstellar

in-ter-stel-lar

Occurring, located, or taking place in the space between stars.

Celestial

ce-les-tial

Positioned in or relating to the sky or outer space.

Planetary

plan-e-tar-y

Relating to, resembling, or belonging to a planet or planets.

Asteroid

as-ter-oid

A small rocky body orbiting the Sun, mostly found between Mars and Jupiter.

Exploration

ex-plo-ra-tion

The action of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it.

Robotic

ro-bot-ic

Relating to or operated by automated machines or robots.

Empirical

em-pir-i-cal

Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by direct observation or experiment.

Phenomena

phe-nom-e-na

Facts, occurrences, or events that can be observed to exist or happen.

Proximity

prox-im-i-ty

Nearness in space, time, or relationship.

Habitable

hab-it-a-ble

Suitable or good enough to live in or support life.

Supporting

sup-port-ing

Bears the weight of, sustains, or keeps something alive and functioning.

Climatic

cli-mat-ic

Relating to the prevailing weather conditions of a region over a long period.

Cycles

cy-cles

Series of events that are regularly repeated in the same sequence.

Orbital

or-bit-al

Relating to the curved path of an object revolving around a larger body in space.

Periodic

pe-ri-od-ic

Appearing or occurring at regular intervals of time.

Gravitational

grav-i-ta-tion-al

Relating to or caused by the natural force that pulls objects toward one another.

Eclipse

e-clipse

An event where one celestial body passes in front of another, blocking its light.

Astronomical

as-tro-nom-i-cal

Relating to astronomy, space science, or celestial bodies outside Earth.

Mineral

min-er-al

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical structure.

Naturally

nat-u-ral-ly

Formed or occurring in nature without human intervention or artificial means.

Inorganic

in-or-gan-ic

Not consisting of or deriving from living matter.

Chemical

chem-i-cal

Relating to chemistry or the substances and interactions that make up matter.

Composition

com-po-si-tion

The specific makeup or combination of ingredients that form a substance.

Crystalline

crys-tal-line

Having a structure and form arranged in a regular, repeating atomic pattern.

Atmosphere

at-mos-phere

The layer of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body.