APES Unit 4

Convergent Plate Boundary

Plates push toward each other, causing volcanoes, releasing magma, and may cause earthquakes.

Divergent Plate Boundary

Plates push away from each other, leading to ridges, sea floor spreading, and potential mountain or volcano formation.

Transform Plate Boundary

Plates slide past each other, resulting in shallow earthquakes and no ridges or volcanoes.

Lithosphere

Earth's crust, forming the outermost layer.

Asthenosphere

Upper mantle layer beneath the lithosphere.

Mesosphere

Lower mantle layer below the asthenosphere.

Plate Boundaries

Regions where tectonic plates interact, leading to various geologic events like earthquakes and volcanoes.

Earthquake Formation

Stress buildup at plate boundaries or fault lines leads to energy release causing earthquakes.

Soil Formation

Process involving weathering, transportation, and deposition of parent material to create soil.

Soil Profile

Soil layers forming over time, including organic matter, surface horizon, subsoil, and substratum.

Soil Erosion

Process of soil loss due to factors like water, wind, gravity, and human activities.

Soil Texture

Composition of soil particles including sand, silt, and clay affecting water holding capacity.

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation influencing Earth's temperature variations and seasons.

Watersheds

Areas where water drains to a common point, influenced by factors like vegetation, soil type, and human activities.

El Niño

Periodic climate event in the Pacific Ocean causing global weather pattern changes every 3-7 years.

ENSO

Changes in atmospheric winds and ocean currents affecting terrestrial areas

El Niño

Abnormal weather pattern with stalled winds, warm surface water moving east to west

Easterly trade wind

Normal wind pattern blowing from east to west (South America to Australia)

Upwelling

Process supporting fish schools along South American coast due to nutrient-rich waters

La Niña

Enhanced neutral condition with stronger trade winds and increased moisture

Enchanted upwelling

Intensified upwelling process during La Niña

El Niño Weather Patterns

Drier in Australia, wetter in South America, warmer winter in Canada and northern US

La Niña Weather Patterns

Wetter in Australia and Indonesia, cooler and drier in South America, colder winter in Canada and northern US

Impact of ENSO

Significant effects on residential areas, agriculture, and habitats