Term
|
Definition
| The ability of a system (or the whole earth) to sustain its population in reasonably healthy and comfortable conditions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The solid, outermost zone of the earth, including the crust and a portion of the upper mantle; approximately 50 kilometers thick under the oceans and commonly more than 100 kilometers thick beneath the continents |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The length of time required for a population to double in size |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Growth characterized by a constant percentage increase per unit time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Conversion of unconsolidated sediment into cohesive rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A naturally occurring, inorganic, solid element or compound with a definite composition or range in composition, usually having a regular internal crystal structure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A rock formed or crystallized from a magma |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Describes an igneous rock crystallized well below the earth’s surface; typically coarse-grained |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The concept that the continents have moved about over the earth’s surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Circulating masses of material driven by temperature differences (hot material rises, then moves laterally, cools, sinks, and is reheated to rise again) |
|
|
Term
convergent plate boundary
|
|
Definition
Plate boundary at which lithospheric plates are moving toward each other; for example, a subduction zone or continental collision zone
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A boundary along which lithospheric plates are moving apart; for example, seafloor spreading ridges and continental rift zones |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Deformation proportional to applied stress, from which the affected material will return to its original size and shape when the stress is removed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An isolated center of volcanic activity; often not associated with a plate boundary |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A dip-slip fault in which the block above the fault is pushed up and over the lower block; indicates compressional stress |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A seismic sea wave, generated by a major earthquake in or near an ocean basin; sometimes incorrectly called a “tidal wave.” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Shear seismic body waves; do not propagate through liquids |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral calcite. It most commonly forms in clear, warm, shallow marine waters. It is usually an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal and fecal debris. It can also be a chemical sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from lake or ocean water |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Permanent strain in material stressed beyond the elastic limit; the material will not return to its original dimensions when the stress is removed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A dip-slip fault where the block above the fault moves down relative to the block below it; indicates tensional stress |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The concept that the same basic physical laws have operated throughout the earth’s history, and therefore, by studying present geologic processes and their products, we can infer much about geologic processes operative in the past |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (as microorganisms) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy across a given surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
In 1978, Love Canal, located near Niagara Falls in upstate New York, was a nice working-class enclave with hundreds of houses and a school. It just happened to sit atop 21,000 tons of toxic industrial waste that had been buried underground. First Superfund site.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A single, concentrated, identifiable source of pollutants, such as a sewer outfall or factory smokestack |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and result in a high indoor radon level. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Water containing dissolved chemicals; applied particularly to fluids escaping from waste disposal sites |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Mountain in nevada where nuclear waste was going to be kept. Can withstand meteor strikes. shut down/cancelled |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. This is achieved through risk analysis |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
measure of the total load of material a stream can move |
|
|
