| A | B |
|---|
| Core | The innermost layer of the earth |
| Mantle | The layer of earth above the core, containing magma |
| Magma | molten rock |
| Asthenosphere | the layer of earth located in the outer part of the mantle, semi molten rock |
| Lithosphere | the outermost layer of earth, including mantle and crust |
| Crust | the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere |
| Hot Spots | a place where molten material from earths mantle reaches the lithosphere |
| Plate Techtonics | the theory that the lithosphere of earth is divided into plates that move |
| Tectonic Cycle | the cycle of processes that build up and break the lithosphere |
| Subduction | the process of one tectonic plate being forced under another |
| Volcano | a vent in the surface of earth that emits ash, gases, or molten lava |
| Divergent Plate Boundaries | an area where tectonic plates move away from eachother |
| Seafloor Spreading | the formation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and outward from earths mantle to the surface |
| Convergent Plat Boundaries | an area where plates move toward each other and collide |
| Transform Fault Boundary | an area where tectonic plate move sideways, past each other |
| Fault | a fracture in rock caused by a movement in earths crust |
| Fault Zones | a large expanse of rock where a fault has occurred |
| Earthquakes | the sudden movement of earths crust caused by a release of potential energy along a geologic fault |
| Seismic Activity | the frequency and intensity of earthquakes |
| Epicenter | the exact point on the surface of earth directly above the location where rock ruptures during an earthquake |
| Richter Scale | a scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake |
| Rock Cycle | the continuous formation and destruction of rock on and below the surface of earth |
| Mineral | a solid chemical substance with a uniform, often crystalline, structure that forms under specific temperatures and pressures |
| Igneous Rock | rock formed directly from magma |
| Intrusive | forms when magma rises up and cools in place underground |
| Extrusive | when magma cools above the surface of earth |
| Fracture | a crack that occurs in rock when it cools |
| Sedimentary Rock | rock that forms when sediments, such as muds, sands, or gravels, are compressed by overlying sediments |
| Metamorphic Rock | rock that forms when sedimentary or igneous rock is subjected to high temperatures and pressure |
| Physical Weathering | the breakdown of rocks by physical means |
| Chemical Weathering | the breakdown of rocks by chemical reactions |
| Acid Rain | precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid |
| Erosion | the physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem |
| Deposition | the accumulation of eroded material |
| Soil | a mix of geologic and organic components that forms a dynamic membrane, covering much of earths surface |
| Parent Material | the material from which the inorganic components of a soil are derived |
| Horizons | layers of soil |
| O horizon | organic layer |
| A horizon | overlaying organic mixed with underlying mineral layer |
| Topsoil | top layer of soil |
| E horizon | leaching zone |
| B horizon | accumulation of metals and nutrients layer |
| C horizon | least weathered layer |
| texture | property of soil determined by proportions of sand, silt, and clay |
| Cation Exchange Capacity | the ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations |
| Soil Bases | Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Sodium |
| Soil Acids | Aluminum and Hydrogen |
| Base Saturation | the proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed as a percentage |
| Soil Degredation | the loss of some or all of a soils ability to support plant growth |
| Crustal Abundance | the average concentration of an element in the earths crust |
| Ore | a concentrated accumulation of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted |
| Metal | an element with properties that allows it to conduct electricity and heat energy |
| Reserve | the known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered |
| Strip Mining | the removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore |
| Mining Spoils (Tailings) | unwanted waste material created during mining |
| Open-pit Mining | a mining technique that uses a large pit or hole in the ground, visible from earths surfase |
| Mountaintop Removal | a mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives |
| Placer Mining | a mining technique in which metals and precious stones are sought in river sediments |
| Subsurface Mining | mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100 meters below the surface of earth |
