Vocab Unit 3

chemical weathering

Chemical weathering is the breakdown or alteration of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions

continental drift theory

The continental drift theory proposes that Earth's continents were once joined in a single supercontinent

convergent boundary

A convergent boundary is a tectonic zone where two lithospheric plates move toward each other

deposition

where rocks break over time

divergent boundry

a geological zone where two tectonic plates move apart from each other

erosion

the geological process in which natural forces like water, wind, ice, and gravity wear away rock and soil from the Earth's surface and transport them to new locations

fault

a fracture or break in the rock of Earth's crust where blocks of rock move past each other

hotspot

a stationary area deep within the Earth's mantle where hot magma rises to form volcanoes, independent of tectonic plate boundaries

igneous rock

a type of rock that forms when molten rock—either magma from deep underground or lava on Earth's surface—cools and hardens

metamorphic rock

A metamorphic rock is a type of rock that forms when an existing rock changes its physical or chemical structure under extreme heats.

mid ocean ridge

a continuous, underwater mountain system formed by plate tectonics where Earth's tectonic plates pull apart

paleomagnetism

the scientific study of Earth's past magnetic field preserved in rocks, sediments, or archaeological materials

physical weathering

the process that breaks rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without changing their chemical makeup

rift valley

a linear lowland region with steep walls that forms where Earth's tectonic plates pull apart at a divergent boundary

seafloor spreading

a geologic process where new oceanic crust forms along mid-ocean ridges and moves outward

sedimentary rock

a type of rock formed when pieces of minerals, older rocks, or organic matter pile up in layers and harden over time

strain

the relative change in the size or shape of a material caused by an applied force, or a specific genetic variant within a biological species

stress

the body's natural physical and mental reaction to a perceived threat, demand, or change

subduction zone

a region where two tectonic plates collide, and the denser plate slides beneath the lighter plate into the Earth's mantle

transform boundary

a place where two tectonic plates slide horizontally past each other