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40 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Eon
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Longest time division on the Geologic Time Scale
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Era
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Second longest time on the GTS
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Period
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Third longest time on the GTS
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Epoch
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Shortest time division on the GTS
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Relative Age Dating
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Using fossils and rock layers to put Earth events in chronological order.
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Absolute Age Dating
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Using radioactive isotopes to determine the actual age of an object
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Radioactive Decay
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When an isotope loses particles to form another isotope or atom
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Parent - Daughter Isotopes
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Radioactive elements used to determine half-life and absolute age
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14 Billion Years
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The approximate age of the universe
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Red Shift
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The color shift in a star or galaxy that is moving away from Earth
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Hydrogen and Helium
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The first elements to be formed after the Big Bang. Still the most abundant elements in the Universe
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Background Radiation
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Radiation left over from the Big Bang can still be measured by radio telescopes
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Singularity
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The infinitely small ball of matter, time, energy, and space that exploded to become our universe
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4.6 Billion Years
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The approximate age of Earth
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Nebula
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A cloud of dust and gas that forms into a star and sometimes solar system
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Sun
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The star in our solar system powered by nuclear fusion of Hydrogen into Helium
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MVEMJSUN (but not P anymore)
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Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, but not Pluto
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Nuclear Fusion
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When two hydrogens combine to form a single helium atom. It's what powers the stars.
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Sunspot
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Dark area on the sun associated with magnetic disturbances. Occurs in roughly 11 year cycles.
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Solar Wind
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Energized particles that blow from the sun's surface.
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Life Cycle of a Star
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Depends on the star's size. Average stars like ours will turn into Red Giants, Planetary Nebulae, and White Dwarfs.
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Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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A diagram of stars based on temperature and luminosity. All stars are compared to our sun.
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Mercator Projection
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A type of map that essentially flattens the globe. Example: The Dynamic Planet.
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Topographic Map
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Map that uses contour lines to show elevations and landforms.
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Subduction Zone
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Where one tectonic plate is forced under another tectonic plate.
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Convergent Boundary
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Where tectonic plates collide. See also, subduction zone.
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Mid-Ocean Ridge
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An underwater mountain range formed where tectonic plates diverge and magma rises to the surface.
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Divergent Boundary
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Where tectonic plates move apart. See also, Mid ocean ridge.
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Hotspot
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A fixed spot in the mantle where magma rises. Often results in volcanic islands such as Hawaii.
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Ring of Fire
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Area around the Pacific Ocean known for high volcanic and earthquake activity.
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Shield Volcano
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A low, wide volcano made from quiet eruptions of oozing, low-silica lava.
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Cinder Volcano
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A short, steep volcano made from violent eruptions of high-silica magma.
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Composite or Strato-volcano
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A tall and steep volcano made from alternating layers of high and low-silica magma.
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Pyroclastic Flow
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The main part of an explosive eruption containing gases, ash, and rock fragments.
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Lava Flow
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Magma that reaches the surface is call lava. Lava that flows easily is lower in silica content.
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Lahar
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A dangerous mudslide containing mud and ash mixed with melting snow and/or lake and river water from the mountain.
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Tephra
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Ash, Lapili, and Volcanic Bombs. Different sized rock fragments from an eruption.
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Volcanic Gases
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Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, and Nitrogen.
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VEI
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Volcanic Explosivity Index measures how large an eruption is based on volume and height of the ash cloud.
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5 Earth Systems
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Biosphere, Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Cryosphere
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