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Environmental Studies, The Blue Planet, Chapter 5
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31
Environmental Studies
Undergraduate 2
11/04/2012

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Term
Abyssal Plain
Definition
Large flat areas on the sea floor. They form from mud and debris settling on the sea floor.
Term
Continental Collision Zone
Definition
Marks the final disappearance of an ocean basin between converging continents. Results in crumpling and mountain ranges.
Term
Continental Drift
Definition
When the supercontinents become the modern regular continents and, well, drift. (Alfred Wegener)
Term
Continental Rise
Definition
A region where the sea floor flattens and continental crust meets oceanic crust.
Term
Continental Shelf
Definition
The flooded part of a continent.
Term
Continental Shield
Definition
An assemblage of cratons and orogens.
Term
Continental Slope
Definition
The drop-off at the seaward edge of the continental shelf
Term
Divergent Plate Margin
Definition
Fractures in the lithosphere where two plates move apart.
Term
Craton
Definition
A stable core of very ancient rock (continental crust).
Term
Convergent Plate Margin
Definition
Where two plates move towards each other.
Term
Geosphere
Definition
The solid earth.
Term
Gravity Anomaly
Definition
Difference of gravity between different points on Earth.
Term
Isostacy
Definition
The property whereby the lithosphere maintains a floatational balance as it ride the asthenosphere like a surfboard.
Term
Magnetic Field
Definition
The magnetic field generated by the outer core, surrounding the Earth. Caused by electrical energy from friction in the inner core.
Term
Magnetic Reversal
Definition
When the north and south poles reverse. See also: Polar Wandering.
Term
Oceanic Trench
Definition
The place where the ocean-capped lithosphere sings into the asthenosphere.
Term
Orogen
Definition
A type of continental crust which are elongate and have been bent and fractured in continental collisions.
Term
Paleomagnetism
Definition
The magnetism locked in ancient minerals.
Term
Tectonics
Definition
The study of the movement of the lithosphereic plates.
Term
Plate Tectonics
Definition
The branch of tectonics that deals with the /interactions/ of the lithospheric plates.
Term
Polarity
Definition
The north-south directionality of the Earth's magnetic field.
Term
Pole Wandering
Definition
The poles don't wander, the continents wander, making it seem like they do.
Term
Rift
Definition
The result of the cycle of spreading. Also a popular MMORPG.
Term
Seafloor Spreading
Definition
The result of ocean crusts moving and being pushed apart by lava. As it grows, it has alternating magnetic bands.
Term
Spreading Center
Definition
Another term for divergent plate margins.
Term
Transform Plate Margins
Definition
Fractures in the lithosphere where two plates slide past each other.
Term
Strike-Slip
Definition
The horizontal or sliding motion of transform plate margins.
Term
Subduction
Definition
When slabs of lithosphere (capped by oceanic crust) sinks into the mantle.
Term
Subduction Zone
Definition
The point at
Term
Subduction Zone
Definition
Where subduction happens.
Term
Supercontinent
Definition
Large continental complexes.
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