Unit 2--World Geography

tectonic plates

pieces of the earth crust that move around

earthquake

violent movement of the earth

seismograph

a device that is used to detect when an earthquake occurs

epicenter

the point directly above the focus on the earth's surface

richter scale

a device used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake

tsunami

a giant wave caused by an earthquake or volcanic explosion

volcano

a mountain or hill that is formed around a vent where magma and ashes are expelled

ring of fire

an area around the Pacific Ocean where many tectonic plates come together and cause earthquakes and volcanoes

weathering

physical or chemical processes that break rock into smaller pieces

glacier

a large, long-lasting mass of ice

weather

the condition of the atmosphere over a short period of time

climate

the condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time

precipitation

water from the atmosphere such as rain, sleet, or snow

hurricane

a tropical storm that rotates around an eye and occurs in the Atlantic Ocean

cyclone

a tropical storm that rotates around an eye and occurs in Asia

tornado

a powerful, funnel shaped column of spiraling air

tundra

a flat, treeless plain located in high latitudes

permafrost

permanently frozen subsoil underneath the tundra

coniferous

trees with needle leaves

deciduous

trees with broad leaves that lose their leaves in the fall

savanna

a general term for grasslands located in the low latitudes that have a tropical wet and dry climate