Details Title: CHAP 1 and 2 Description: ahhhhh Total Flash Cards: 45 Created: 08/29/2006 06:03:15		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Geology Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term Asthenosphere Definition The part of the mantle that lies below the lithosphere; it behaves plastically and flows slowly. Term Big BANG Definition A model for the evolution of the universe in which a dense, hot state was followed by expansion, cooling, and a less dense state. Term Core Definition The interior part of Earth's beginning at a depth of 2900 km that probably consists of iron and nickel. Term Crust Definition Earth's outermost layer; the upper part of the lithosphere that is seperated from the mantle by the Moho; divided into continental and oceanic crust. Term Fossil Definition Remains or traces of prehistoric organisms preseved in rocks. Term Geologic time scale Definition A chart arranged so that the designation for the earliest part of geologic time appears at the bottom followed upward by progessively younger time designations. Term Geology Definition The science concerned with the study of Earth materials (minerals and rocks), surface, and internal processes, and Earth History Term Hypothesis Definition A provisional explaination for observations that is subject to continual testing. If well supported by evidence, a hypothesis may be called a theory Term Igneous Rock Definition results when magma crystallizes or volcanic ejecta such as ash accumulate and consolidate. Term Jovian Planets Definition Any of the four planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) that resemble Jupiter. All are large and have low mean densities, indicating that they are composed mostly of lightweight gases. Term Lithosphere Definition Earth's outer, rigid part consisting of the upper mantle, oceanic crust, and continental crust. Term Mantle Definition The thick layer between Earth's crust and core Term Metamorphic Rock Definition Any rock that has been changed from its original condition by heat, pressure,and the chemical activity of fluids,as in marble and slate. Term Mineral Definition A naturally occuring, inorganic, crystalline solid that has characteristics physical properties and a narrowly defined chemical comp Term Plate Definition An individual segment of the lithosphere that moves over the asthenosphere. Term Plate tectonic theory Definition The theory holding that large segments of earth's outer part (Lithospheric plates) move relative to one another. Term Principle of uniformitarianism Definition A principle holding that we can interpret past events by understanding present-day processes,based on the idea that natural processes have always operated in the same way. Term rock Definition A solid aggregate of one or more minerals, as in limestone and granite, or a consolidated aggregate of rock fragments, as in conglomerate, or masses of rock like material, such as coal and obsidian Term Rock Cycle Definition A group of processes through which Earth materials may pass as they are transformed from one major rock type to another. Term Scientific method Definition A logical, orderly approach that involves gathering data, formulating and testing hypotheses, and proposing theories. Term Sedimentary Rock Definition Any rock composed of sediment such as limestone and sandstone. Term Solar Nebula Theory Definition A theory for the evolution of the solar system from a rotating cloud of gas. Term System Definition A combination of related parts that interact in an organized fashion; Earth systems include the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and solid earth. Term Terrestrial Planet Definition Any of the four innermost Plants (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) They are all small and have high mean densities, indicating that they are composed of rock and metallic elements. Term Theory Definition An explanation for some natural phenomenon that has a large body of supporting evidence. To be scientific, a theory must be testable-For EX. Plate tectonic theory. Term Continental-continental plate boundary Definition A convergent plate boundary along which two continental lithosphere plates collide. Term Continental drift Definition The theory that the continents were joined into a single landmass that broke apart with the various fragments (continents) moving with respect to one another. Term Convergent plate boundary Definition The boundary between two plates that move toward each other. Term Curie Point Definition The temperature at which iron bearing minerals in cooling magma or lava attain their magnetism. Term Divergent Plate Boundary Definition The boundary between two plates that are moving apart. Term Glossopteris flora Definition A late paleozoic association of plants found only on the Southern Hemisphere continents and India; named for its best-known genus, Glossopteris. Term Gondwana Definition A major Paleozoic continent composed of South America, Africa, Australia, India, and parts of sounthern Europe, Arabia, and Florida. Term Hot Spot Definition Localized zone of melting below the lithosphere; detected at the surface by volcanism. Term Laurasia Definition A late Paleozoic Northern Hemisphere continent made up of North America, Greenland, parts of Scotland, and perhaps parts of the Baltic sheild of Scandanavia. Term Magnetic anolamy Definition Any deviation, such as any change in average strength, in Earth's magnetic field. Term Magnetic Reversal Definition The phenomenon involving the complete reversal of the north and south magnetic poles. Term Oceanic-continental plate boundary Definition A convergent plate boundary along which oceanic lithosphere is subdued beneath continental lithosphere. Term Oceanic-oceanic plate boundary Definition A convergent plate boundary along which two oceanic plates collide and one is subducted beneath the other. Term Paleomagnetism Definition Residual magnestism in rocks, studied to determine the intensity and direction of Earth's past magnetic field. Term Pangea Definition The name Alfred Wegner proposed for a supercontinent consisting of all Earth's landmasses at the end of the Paleozoic Era. Term Plate tectonic theory Definition The theory holding that large segments of Earth's outer part (lithosphere plates) move relative to one another. Term Seafloor Spreading Definition The theory that the seafloor moves away from spreading ridges and is eventually consumed at subduction zones. Term Thermal convection cell Definition A type of circulation of material in the asthensosphere during which hot material rises, moves laterally, cools, and sinks, and is reheated and continues the cycle. Term Transform Fault Definition A fault along which one type of motion is transformed into another; commonly displaces oceanic ridges; on land recognized as a strike-slip fault, such as the San Andreas Fault. Term Transform plate boundary Definition Plate boundary along which plates slide past one another and crust is neither produced nor destroyed.