Land

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

The upper and lower mantle layer of the Earth, characterized by its semi-fluid nature allowing tectonic plates to move.

Rock Cycle

The process of rock transforming into three categories: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.

Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates are moving towards each other.

Transform Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past one another.

Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates are pulling away from each other.

Floodplain

A lower flat region of land adjacent to a river, prone to flooding.

Erosion

The process of removal and transportation of material from one location to another.

Subsurface Mining

The extraction of minerals from beneath the Earth's surface, often via tunnels or shafts.

Surface Mining

The removal of soil and rock (overburden) to access resources near the surface.

Topsoil (O Layer)

The uppermost layer of soil, rich in organic material and humus.

Zone of Leaching

The area in soil where minerals and materials dissolve and are removed.

Groundwater

Water located beneath the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and fractures of rock.

Watershed

An area of land that collects and drains water into a common body of water.

Saltwater Intrusion

The movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, often due to over-extraction near coastal areas.

Oxygen Sag Curve

A graphical representation indicating how oxygen levels in water drop due to pollution and recover over time.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Man-made organic compounds that remain in the environment for an extended period and can cause health issues.

Gray Water Systems

A system for reusing water from household activities like sinks and washing machines for irrigation.