Details Title: Chapter 1 - Introducing Geology Description: Midterm number 1 Total Flash Cards: 22 Created: 09/17/2009 19:26:12		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 Geology Definition the scientific study of Earth Term atmosphere Definition the gases that envelop the earth Term hydrosphere Definition the water on or near Earth's surface Term biosphere Definition all of the living or once-living material on Earth Term geosphere (solid earth system) Definition the rock and other inorganic Earth material that make up the bulk of the planet Term mantle Definition   solid rock parts of it flow slowly, upward or downward comprised of ultramafic rocks (rich in Fe and Mg, poor in silica extends to 2900 km largest part of earth   Term crust Definition thickness is insignificant compared to the whole earth, only have direct access to the crust. oceanic crust and continental crust, oceanic crust is very thin. Term lithosphere Definition crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. makes up the plates of Plate Tectonic Theory Term asthenosphere Definition upper part of the mantle below lithosphere. ductile solid, will flow under stress rather than rupture, like the lithosphere. Term tectonic forces Definition cause defromation of rock as well as vertical and horizontal movement of crust. mountain ranges are built by this Term continental crust Definition thick less dense silica rich Term oceanic crust Definition thin more dense more mafic Term divergent boundary Definition plates move apart and new oceanic crust is formed. coincide with crests of mountain ranges, called mid-oceanic ridges. Term igneous rock Definition rock that forms when magma (molten rock) solidifies. Term convergent plate boundary Definition plates move toward each other and oceanic crust is recycled into the mantle. ensures that earth doesn't grow in size. oceanic-continent, ocean-ocean, continent-continent. Term subduction zone Definition (ocean-continent convergence) the less dense continental plate overrides denser oceanic plate and sinks at this point. neither plate subducts in c-c convergence. more dense plate subducts in o-o convergence. Term transform boundary Definition plates move past each other horizontally.   Term isostatic adjustment Definition uplift due to removal of overburden through erosion. vertical movement of sections of Earth's crust to achieve balance. Term external heat engine Definition the sun. drives most surficial processes. Term erosion Definition removal of rocky material from its original location. results in the wearing down of the land's surface. moving water, ice, or wind loosens and removes material. Term sediment Definition loose material, the product of the breakdown of rock. eroded sediments are transported to low energy environments where they accumulate, eventually cement into sedimentary rock. Term Definition