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| The outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, approximately 100 km (62 mi.) thick. |
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| A submerged border of a continent that slopes gradually and extends to a point of steeper descent to the ocean bottom. |
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| A buff to gray windblown deposit of fine-grained, calcareous silt or clay. |
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| Either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when the length of day and night are approximately equal; the vernal equinox or the autumnal equinox. |
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| An area having relatively little precipitation due to the effect of a barrier, such as a mountain range, that causes the prevailing winds to lose their moisture before reaching it. |
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| Of or moving toward the quarter from which the wind blows. |
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| On or toward the side to which the wind is blowing. |
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| A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. |
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| Orbital motion about a point, especially as distinguished from axial rotation: the planetary revolution about the sun |
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| The process of eroding or the condition of being eroded: erosion of the beach; progressive erosion of confidence in our legal system; erosion of the value of the dollar abroad. |
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| To discolor, disintegrate, wear, or otherwise affect adversely by exposure. |
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| Water beneath the earth's surface, often between saturated soil and rock, that supplies wells and springs. |
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| An accumulation of boulders, stones, or other debris carried and deposited by a glacier. |
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| A geologic process in which one edge of one crustal plate is forced below the edge of another. |
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| A process by which new land is created whensea plates pull apart and magma wells up between the plates |
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| Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs about June 21, when the sun is in the zenith at the tropic of Cancer; the winter solstice occurs about December 21, when the sun is over the tropic of Capricorn. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and the winter solstice is the shortest. |
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| Any of the four planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth, or Mars, that are nearest the sun and have similar size and density. |
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| A slow proceess in which a sea plate slides under a continental plate, creating debris that can cause continents to grow outward. |
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| The molten rock material under the earth's crust, from which igneous rock is formed by cooling. |
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