| A | B |
|---|
| orbit | to move around |
| axis | an imaginary line that runs through the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole |
| revolution | a complete trip around the sun |
| atmosphere | a thin layer of gases that surround the Earth |
| solstice | beginning of summer and winter |
| equinoxes | equal amounts of sunlight and darkness |
| climate | average weather over a long period of time |
| precipitation | rain, snow, hail, and sleet |
| rain shadow | reduced rainfall on the side of mountain that faces away from the ocean |
| continent | a large, continuous mass of land |
| tectonic plates | 16 enormous pieces of the Earth's crust |
| fault | the result of two plates grinding against each other |
| earthquakes | plate movement along fault lines |
| Ring of Fire | a band of volcanoes in the Pacific |
| tsunami | a giant ocean wave caused by volcanoes or earthquakes |
| weathering | Earth's surface is worn away by wind, rain, or chemicals |
| ersion | bits of rock are moved by water, wind, or ice |
| glacier | a small ice mass that moves slowly over time |
| plateau | flat land that rises above surrounding land |
| isthmus | a narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas |
