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70 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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The largest group of minerals, which compose over 90% of the earth's crust, are the __?__. |
silicates |
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The layer of solid rock below the soil is __?__. |
bedrock |
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The rarest, most durable, and most beautiful minerals are __?__. |
precious stones |
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Substances that are found naturally in the earth and have a crystalline structure are __?__. |
minerals |
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A theory that has never been proven false is a __?__. |
law |
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Chemical sediments that result from the evaporation of water are __?__. |
evaporites |
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A well-known chemical sedimentary rock is __?__. |
limestone |
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A soil substance composed of decayed organisms' particles is __?__. |
humus |
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The most famous measure of earthquake strength, which rates earthquakes on a scale of 1 to 10, is the __?__. |
Richter magnitude scale |
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Rocks that have a smooth, glasslike texture are __?__. |
amorphous |
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Which earthquake zone includes the San Andreas Fault? |
circum-Pacific belt |
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The metal that is more valuable than gold of silver is __?__. |
platinum |
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Hard, round structures that form when minerals settle out of water and crystallize around a sand grain or other mineral fragment are called __?__. |
concretions |
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The measure of the pull of gravity on an object is __?__. |
weight |
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The group on which a test is performed is called that __?__. |
experimental group |
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A volcano that will probably not erupt again is called __?__. |
extinct |
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Beryl that has a deep green color is __?__. |
emerald |
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The third step in the scientific method is __?__. |
formulate a hypothesis |
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The inner core of the earth is thought to be __?__. |
solid |
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A metal mixture of iron and carbon is __?__. |
steel |
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Brass is an alloy of __?__ and zinc. |
copper |
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Mining that uses a rotating drum that travels down a long track while grinding coal is called __?__ mining. |
longwall |
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Crystals are generally characterized by many flat surfaces called __?__. |
faces |
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The most basic unit of matter is the __?__. |
atom |
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About 80% of the world's earthquakes occur in __?__. |
(the) circum-Pacific belt |
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The breakdown of organisms is known as __?__. |
decomposition |
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Any piece of solid volcanic ejecta is a __?__. |
pyroclast |
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type of rock formed when magma solidifies |
igneous rock |
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type of rock formed when deposits of sand a mineral fragments are cemented together |
sedimentary rock |
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type of rock formed when preexisting rocks are altered by heat or pressure |
metamorphic rock |
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any mineral that contains a valuable metallic element |
ore |
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The branch of geology that deals with the identification and classification of minerals is __?__. |
mineralogy |
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The bending or buckling of rocks under great force produces a(n) __?__. |
fold |
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Aluminum is refined from the common mineral __?__. |
bauxite |
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The most abundant metal in the earth's crust is __?__. |
aluminum |
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The type of soil that contains a mixture of sand, silt, clay, and humus is __?__. |
loam |
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The change of one type of rock into a new type of rock is __?__. |
metamorphism |
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The study of soil is __?__. |
pedology |
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The hardest naturally occurring known substance is __?__. |
diamond |
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A mineral that remains glowing after being exposed to ultraviolet light and then placed in the dark exhibits __?__. |
phosphorescence |
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The most common mineral in the earth's crust is __?__. |
quartz |
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A "self pumping" well is a(n) __?__. |
artesian well |
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A substance with a pH of 10 would be __?__. |
basic |
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The most common of all igneous rocks |
basalt |
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igneous rock with a smooth, glasslike texture; known as "volcanic glass" |
obsidian |
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rock that consists of smooth pebbles embedded in hardened sand or clay |
conglomerate rock |
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an organic sedimentary rock that is also called a fossil fuel |
coal |
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What term refers to the way light is reflected from the surface of a mineral crystal? |
luster |
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What do mineralogists call an element that occurs naturally in its pure form, uncombined with other elements? |
native element |
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What is a single layer of sedimentary rock called? |
stratum |
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What nutrient makes a plant's fruits "firm up" properly? |
phosphorus |
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What is another name for a bar of refined gold? |
bullion |
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What is an alloy of iron, carbon, and nickel or chromium? |
stainless steel |
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What are geometric structures composed of atoms or molecules in an orderly arrangement? |
crystals |
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Name the narrow zone of active volcanoes that nearly encircles the Pacific basin. |
Ring of Fire |
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What type of lava has a smooth texture with a "ropy" appearance? |
pahoehoe |
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What mineral test leaves a line of powder on a plate? |
streak test |
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What are the upper layers of the ground stripped away by surface mining called? |
overburdening |
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What is the name for a substance that is composed of only one atom? |
element |
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earthquake waves that vibrate at right angles to the direction of wave travel |
S waves |
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The number that compares an object's density to the density of water is called __?__. |
specific gravity |
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The most common sedimentary rock |
shale |
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point at which an earthquake begins |
focus |
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weak earthquake |
tremor |
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fastest earthquake waves |
P waves |
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term for small earthquakes that follow an earthquake for days or even months |
aftershock |
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rocks on either side of a fault spring back to a position of little or no strain |
elastic rebound |
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giant sea waves |
tsunamis |
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instrument that records and studies the vibrations from an earthquake |
seismograph |
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point on the earth's surface directly above where an earthquake began |
epicenter |
