Earth Science Reviewer – Core Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering Earth’s layers, subsystems, geologic processes, universe origins, water cycle, and rock types as presented in the lecture notes.

Crust

Earth’s thin, outermost solid rock layer where all life exists.

Mantle

Semi-solid layer beneath the crust; convection here drives plate movement.

Outer Core

Liquid iron-nickel layer that generates Earth’s magnetic field.

Inner Core

Solid iron center of Earth; remains solid due to immense pressure despite extreme heat.

Seismic Waves

Vibrations from earthquakes used to study Earth’s internal layers.

Geosphere

The land sphere—rocks, soil, and tectonic plates.

Hydrosphere

All Earth’s water: oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding Earth; controls air, weather, and climate.

Biosphere

All living organisms on Earth and the environments they inhabit.

Weathering

Process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces.

Erosion

Transport of weathered material by water, wind, ice, or gravity.

Sedimentation

Deposition of eroded material that can form sedimentary rocks.

Mass Wasting

Downslope movement of rock/soil under gravity, e.g., landslides.

Big Bang

Event ~13.8 billion years ago that created the universe’s matter and energy.

Cosmic Microwave Background

Faint radiation left from the Big Bang, evidence the universe began hot and dense.

Solar Nebula

Rotating cloud of gas and dust that collapsed 4.6 billion years ago to form the Sun and planets.

Gravity (Solar System Formation)

Force that pulled nebular gas and dust together, leading to planet and star formation.

Rocky Planets

Inner, solid planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.

Gas Giants

Large outer planets composed mainly of hydrogen and helium—Jupiter, Saturn (plus Uranus, Neptune).

Giant Impact Hypothesis

Theory that Earth’s Moon formed after a Mars-sized body collided with early Earth.

Evaporation

Change of liquid water to vapor, starting the water cycle.

Condensation

Water vapor cools to form clouds.

Precipitation

Water falls to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Collection

Water gathers in oceans, rivers, lakes, or infiltrates ground, completing the water cycle.

Earth Science

Field that studies Earth and space—includes geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy.

Universe

All matter, energy, space, time, stars, galaxies—everything that exists.

Igneous Rock

Rock formed from cooled magma or lava.

Intrusive Igneous Rock

Igneous rock that cools slowly underground; example: granite.

Extrusive Igneous Rock

Igneous rock that cools rapidly at the surface; example: basalt.

Sedimentary Rock

Rock formed by compaction and cementation of sediments; examples: sandstone, limestone.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock altered by heat and pressure; examples: marble, slate.

Water Erosion

Removal of soil or rock by flowing water.

Wind Erosion

Transport of particles by air movement, common in deserts.

Glacial Erosion

Land sculpting by moving ice masses.