Earth Science Vocabulary

Front 1

geology

Back 1

science of the study of earth, including physcial forces

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model

Back 2

a representation of an object that is too large or too small to be studied

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physical model

Back 3

a representation of object/idea that is usually 3-D. Can be manipulated

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conceptual model

Back 4

representation of date

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Pangaea

Back 5

name of the super-continent that existed around 225 million

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Continental Drift

Back 6

a theory developed by Wegener to explain the observation that the continents look like they would fit like a jigsaw puzzle

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Geological Time Scale

Back 7

the scale used to define time, especially the periods prior to human history

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Era

Back 8

the longest division of geological time, made up of one or more periods

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period

Back 9

small chunks of time that the geologic time eras are broken into

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lithosphere

Back 10

the crust and upper mantle form the rigid layer of rock (Tectonic plates)

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Crust

Back 11

the outermost layer of the Earth. Varies in thickness and composition depending on location

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Asthenosphere

Back 12

the layer of earth just beneath the crust, composed of hot semi-solid material that is denser than the lithosphere (crust and upper mantle)

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Inner Core

Back 13

the center of the Earth, hottest, solid

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Outer Core

Back 14

the layer that surrounds the inner core, liquid

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Mantle

Back 15

surrounds the outer core, includes the lower and upper

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convection

Back 16

movement and circulation of fluid that is caused when warmer, less dense parts of the fluid rise and are replaced by cooler denser parts of fluid

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conduction

Back 17

transfer of heat from one object to another, or from one area to another

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radiation

Back 18

release of heat energy

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mid-ocean ridge

Back 19

series of mountain ranges on the ocean floor

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fault

Back 20

break in the continuity of rocks which allows the rock on either side to break and move in different directions. Tectonic plate bounderies

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Sea-floor spreading

Back 21

process by which the sea floor is being continuously formed formed and spread by the Earths mantle along the mid ocean ridges where crustal plates move apart

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Convergent boundary

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The plates are moving toward each other; the plates crumple at the edges. One plate may move under the other

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Divergent boundary

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The plates move away from each other resulting in an opening in the Earth's crust

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Transform boundary

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where two plates are in contact and move laterally in opposite direction or at different speeds

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Stress

Back 25

force that acts on rock to change its shape or volume. Compression, tension, shearing

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Erosion

Back 26

the process by which rocks are weathered and transported to new locations by force

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Weathering

Back 27

process by which agents such as wind, water, and ice break down rocks

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Earthquake

Back 28

a shaking of the Earth's crust that is caused by the movement of rocks far beneath the Earths surface.

Front 29

Continental Drift

Back 29

a theory developed by Wegener to explain the observation that the continents look like they would fit like a jigsaw puzzle

Front 30

Geological Time Scale

Back 30

the scale used to define time, especially the periods prior to human history

Front 31

Era

Back 31

the longest division of geological time, made up of one or more periods

Front 32

period

Back 32

small chunks of time that the geologic time eras are broken into

Front 33

lithosphere

Back 33

the crust and upper mantle form the rigid layer of rock (Tectonic plates)