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The Changing Earth
Chapter 1 Vocab
27
Geology
Undergraduate 1
07/10/2012

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Term
System
Definition
a combination of related parts that interact in an organized manner
Term
Geology
Definition
the study of Earth, and planets and moons in our solar system
Term
theory
Definition
a speculative or conjectural view of something
Term
scientific method
Definition
an orderly, logical approach that involves gathering and analyzing facts or data about the problem under consideration.
Term
hypotheses
Definition
tentative explainations
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
terrestrial planets
Definition
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars - so named because they are similar to terra, Latin for "earth," are all small and composed of rock and metallic elements that condensed at the high temperatures of the inner nebula
Term
Jovian planets
Definition
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - so called because they resemble Jupiter (the Roman god was also called Jove), all have small rocky cores compared to their overall size, and are composed mostly of hydrogen, helium, ammonia, and methane, which condense at low temperatures.
Term
core
Definition
a calculated density of 10-13 grams per cubic centimeter(g/cm3) and occupies about 16% of Earth's total volume.
Term
mantle
Definition
surrounds the core and comprises about 83% of Earth's volume.
Term
asthenosphere
Definition
surrounds the lower mantle
Term
lithosphere
Definition
the solid upper mantle and the overlying crust
Term
plates
Definition
numerous individual pieces of the lithosphere that move over the asthenosphere
Term
crust
Definition
Earth's outermost layer, consists of two-types
Term
plate tectonic theory
Definition
the recognition that the lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that move the asthenosphere.
Term
rock
Definition
an aggregate of minerals
Term
minerals
Definition
naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solids that have definite physical and chemical properties.
Term
rock cycle
Definition
a pictorial representation of events leading to the origin, destruction and/or changes, and reformation of the rocks as a consequence of Earth's internal and surface processes
Term
Igneous rocks
Definition
magma crystallizes or volcanic ejecta, such as ash, accumulate and consolidate
Term
sedimentary rocks
Definition
consolidation of mineral or rock fragments, precipitation of mineral matter from solution, or compaction of plant or animal remains
Term
metamorphic rocks
Definition
the alteration of other rocks, usually beneath the surface, by heat, pressure, and the chemical activity of fluids.
Term
organic evolution
Definition
all present-day organisms are related, and that they have descended with modifications from organisms that lived in the past
Term
fossils
Definition
remains or traces of once-living organisms
Term
geologic time scale
Definition
Term
Geologic Time Scale
Definition
subdivides geologic time into a hierarchy of increasingly shorter time intervals: each time subdivision has a specific name.
Term
principle of uniformitarianism
Definition
present-day processes have operated throughout geologic time
Term
solar nebula theory
Definition
a condensation and collapse of interstellar material in a spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy
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