Earth's Structure and European History Study Cards

Vocabulary flashcards covering Earth's rock cycle, metamorphic and igneous rock classifications, European history, trade routes, urbanization, and the European Union.

Transform

A word meaning 'to change or alter', formed from the word parts 'trans' and 'form'.

Rock Cycle

The series of processes occurring on Earth's surface, crust, and mantle that slowly transform rocks from one kind to another while conserving energy and matter.

Metamorphic Rock

A type of rock formed under extreme heat and pressure beneath Earth's surface or from tectonic plate collisions.

Foliated Metamorphic Rock

A metamorphic rock in which high pressure causes minerals to form visible bands.

Non-foliated Metamorphic Rock

A metamorphic rock in which minerals are arranged randomly throughout the rock rather than forming bands.

Pemaquid Point

A lighthouse location in Maine built on layers of banded metamorphic rock formed during the Silurian period, more than 400 million years ago.

Igneous Rock

A type of rock formed when magma or lava cools and hardens either on or below Earth's surface.

Extrusive Rock

Igneous rock that cools rapidly above Earth's surface and contains small crystals or no crystals at all.

Intrusive Rock

Igneous rock that cools slowly below Earth's surface and contains crystals much larger than extrusive rock.

Pumice

A type of extrusive igneous rock commonly used to smooth skin, or for cleaning and polishing.

Granite

A type of intrusive igneous rock commonly used in building materials.

Devils Tower

A rock formation in Wyoming made of phonolite porphyry, a rare intrusive igneous rock, which is associated with indigenous oral histories involving bears.

Urbanization

The process in which people move to cities away from their land.

Currency

Money used by a nation.

Monopoly

Full control over a trade route or market, such as Italy's control over Asian trade routes prior to the Age of Exploration.

European Union

An organization formed by France and Germany so goods could be produced freely, set up trade, raise standard of living, and allow citizens to move freely among member countries.

Dominant European Religions

The primary Christian denominations in specific European nations: Catholicism in Italy, Orthodox in Russia, and Protestantism in Norway.

Industrial Revolution

A period of technological advancement characterized by the invention of steam power and the factory system, which reduced the need for farm work and increased urban migration.