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Chapter 6: Processes Shaping Planet Earth
Processes
35
Geography
9th Grade
01/30/2013

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Term
Mantle
Definition
Part of the Earth's interior between crust and the core, filled with hot semi-liquid or liquid rock known as magma.
Term
Lithosphere
Definition
Part of Earth consisting of the crust and the top section of the solid mantle.
Term
Plate Tectonic Theory
Definition
Earth's lithosphere consists of large plates of crust and rock that float over the semi-liquid mantle. These are known as tectonic plates. Tectonic plates move slowly, but over millions of years they can move great distances. Their movements are responsible for building up mountains, creating rift valleys, and causing earthquakes and volcanoes. Many scientists believe the present continents once fit together into a single giant continent, which gradually separated.
Term
Convection
Definition
Spread of heat through the movement of a liquid substance, as hotter liquid rises to the top and cooler liquid sinks to the bottom
Term
Gravity
Definition
Force of attraction that the Earth exerts on an object on or near its surface. Gravity also contributes to the movement of tectonic plates.
Term
Continental Plates
Definition
Tectonic plates in continental (land) areas. When 2 continental plates collide, they slowly push into one another, creating upward folds that become mountain chains.
Term
Himalayan Mountains
Definition
Mountain chain in Asia created by continental plates pushing into one another. They are the tallest mountains in the world, and separate the Indian Subcontinent from the rest of Asia.
Term
Rift Valleys
Definition
Long valleys between parallel ridges of mountains, caused by tectonic plates moving away from each other.
Term
Fault
Definition
Break in the Earth's crust caused by tectonic plate movement.
Term
Earthquakes
Definition
Vibrations in Earth caused by tectonic plate movement.
Term
Seismic Waves
Definition
Waves sent by an earthquake.
Term
Seismograph
Definition
Instrument used by scientists to measure seismic waves.
Term
Tsunami
Definition
Immense ocean wave of destructive force caused by an earthquake under or near the ocean.
Term
"Ring of Fire"
Definition
Zone of volcanoes and earthquakes around the Pacific Ocean.
Term
Weathering
Definition
Wearing down of rocks at the Earth's surface by the actions of wind, water, ice and living organisms.
Term
Erosion
Definition
Process by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away.
Term
Deposition
Definition
Process in which sediment is carried and left by wind or water. A delta forms when sand and other sediment are carried downstream and deposited where a river empties into a lake, sea or ocean.
Term
Plateau
Definition
Flat highland whose sides drop suddenly because of erosion.
Term
Valley
Definition
Long, low area between ranges of mountains, hills or uplands.
Term
Canyon
Definition
Deep gorge or ravine between cliffs, often carved by a river.
Term
Hydrosphere
Definition
Part of the Earth's surface that is covered in water.
Term
Water Cycle
Definition
Process by which solar energy heats the Earth's oceans, seas and lakes causing some of the surface water to evaporate into the atmosphere; water condenses into droplets that form clouds, and later drops fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation.
Term
Precipitation
Definition
When water in the atmosphere falls back to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, or hail.
Term
Tides
Definition
Regular rise and fall of the ocean and other bodies of water on the Earth's surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.
Term
Currents
Definition
Movements of the ocean's waters at the surface and below.
Term
Gulf Stream
Definition
Current of water heated by the sun that moves away from the equator, carrying heat energy both north and south.
Term
Climate
Definition
Average weather of a region over a period of years.
Term
Weather
Definition
Conditions in the atmosphere closest to Earth, including humidity, temperature, wind and precipitation.
Term
Elevation
Definition
Height, or altitude, above sea level.
Term
Vertical Climate
Definition
Different climate types that exist at different altitudes in the same area.
Term
Tropical Hurricanes
Definition
Storms that occur in tropical regions in the late summer and early fall when the ocean water is very warm.
Term
Biosphere
Definition
Part of the Earth's surface with all life.
Term
Biomes
Definition
Distinct geographic regions with their own particular types of plant and animal life.
Term
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Definition
Forests in mid-latitude regions where there is ample rain, moderate temperatures, and cool winters. Trees change colors in fall and lose their leaves in the winter.
Term
Canopy
Definition
Umbrella-like cover created by large trees that cover the area below with their. leaves
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