FLVS Marine Science Module 2 Review

Plates

sections of the Earth's outer crust

Plate tectonics

the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core

Mantle

the middle layer of the Earth, and the largest in size. The lithosphere is the cool, solid, top layer of the mantle. The asthenosphere is the bottom, soft layer of the mantle where temperatures can be very high close to the core.

Core

the source of Earth's internal heat. It is divided into two parts: the inner core is solid because of the high pressure surrounding it, and the outer core is a liquid iron-nickel alloy.

crust

comes in two types: oceanic and continental. The Earth's crust is not one solid piece; it is in large pieces called plates, which move due to heat convection in the mantle

Asthenosphere

a liquid with plastic-like consistency made up of iron and nickel, located in the bottom layer of the mantle

Oceanic crust

the thinner part of the Earth's crust, made mostly of basalt

Continental crust

the thinner part of the Earth's crust, made mostly of granite

Trench:

A trench is a long and narrow opening in the crust, with steep sides, usually occurring above a subduction zone.

Mid-Ocean Ridge:

Is the area where oceanic plates diverge, and new seafloor is created in the process of seafloor spreading.

Continental Shelf:

The shelf is part of the continental plate that extends away from the coastline, where the water is relatively shallow.

Seamount:

A seamount is an underwater mountain with a pointed peak whose top is still submerged.

Guyot:

A guyot is an ancient volcano whose top has eroded away.

Continental Slope:

The slope is the area between the shelf and the deeper ocean floor.

Volcanoes:

Ocean volcanoes may be completely submerged, or they can create mountains so high that they rise above sea level and create islands.

Abyssal Plain:

An abyssal plain is an underwater plain that lies between the foot of a continental rise and a mid-ocean ridge. These plains cover more than 50 percent of the Earth's surface at depths between 3,000 and 6,000 meters.

Tsunami

ocean waves created by sudden displacement from volcanic activity, landslides, or earthquakes under water

Weather

the state of the air and atmosphere at a certain time and place

Convection

the movement of currents caused by temperature differences

Global warming

an increase in the overall temperature of the atmosphere resulting from the greenhouse effect

Greenhouse effect

the process by which gases in the atmosphere trap radiation from the sun, retaining heat

Climate change

a long-term change in the climate, including in temperature and weather patterns

Ocean currents

movements of ocean water in a continuous flow due to wind, temperature, water density and salinity, Earth's rotation, and tides

Jet streams

fast currents of air that flow west to east

Zooxanthellae

a microscopic algae that lives symbiotically with some coral

Biogeochemical cycles

pathways by which chemical substances are transferred between living systems and the environment

Condensation:

the process that occurs when water vapor in the air changes to liquid water; the opposite of vaporization

Precipitation:

water that is released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail

Evaporation:

the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor

Evapotranspiration:

the movement of water from soil and plants to the atmosphere

Transpiration

the movement of water from plants to the atmosphere

Photosynthesis:

a process that uses light energy, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen

Respiration:

the cellular process that uses oxygen and breaks down organic molecules to release stored energy and produce carbon dioxide

Decomposition:

the breakdown of a substance into simpler substances, often by bacteria or fungi breaking down dead organic matter

Gas exchange:

the diffusion of gases from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration

Emissions:

the production or discharge of something from a source

Fixation:

the process by which inorganic nitrogen from the atmosphere is converted into organic compounds, usually by microorganisms

Ammonification:

the conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonia by decomposers

Nitrification:

the oxidation of an ammonia compound into nitrite and nitrate compounds

Assimilation:

the formation of organic nitrogen compounds from inorganic nitrogen compounds

Denitrification:

the conversion of nitrates into inorganic nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere

Hypoxic

low oxygen