Chapter 12: The Dynamic Planet Flashcards
(44 cards)
Magnetic Declination
The angular distance in degrees between the direction of the compass needle and the line of longitude.
Constantly on the move.
True North
north according to the earth’s axis, not magnetic north.
Grid North
direction northwards along the grid lines of a map projection
Geomorphology
The science that analyzes and describes the:
- origin
- evolution
- form
- classification
- spatial distribution
.
of landforms.
Geomorphology
The science that analyzes and describes the:
- origin
- evolution
- form
- classification
- spatial distribution
of landforms.
Origin of Earth’s Magnetic field
principally generated by motions in the fluid material of the outer core
Origin of Earth’s Magnetic field
principally generated by motions in the fluid material of the outer core
Uniformitarianism
- A n assumption that physical processes on Earth
- are operating at the same pace
- and intensity
- that has characterized them
- throughout geologic time
- “the present is the key to the past”
- (Hutton and Lyell)
geological time scale broken down by
- Eons
- Eras
- Periods
- Epochs
Core
- deepest inner portion of the Earth
- 1/3 of entire mass
- Inner Core
- Outer Core
Inner Core
- Solid-Iron
Outer Core
- Metallic-Iron outer core
Lithosphere
- Crust and Upper Mantle
- 70km down
Asthenosphere
- Region of the mantle just below the lithosphere
- the part of the mantle which is not solid. it’s a semi liquid
Driving force behind plate motion
- Convection currents in the mantle
- drags the underside of the Earth’s lithospheric plates
Rock
- Assemblage of minerals bound together, or sometimes a mass of a single mineral
Types of Rock
- Igneous
- Metamorphic
- Sedimentary
Igneous Rock
- has solidified and crystallized from hot molten state (magma/lava)
Magma
Molten rock deep inside the Earth
Lava
Molten rock at or near the Earth’s surface
Intrusive igneous rock
Rock that solidifies and crystallizes below the surface (granite)
Extrusive Igneous rock
Rock that solidifies and crystallizes as it extrudes onto the surface (basalt)
Rate of cooling and crystalline texture of a rock
Faster cooling of magma/lava creates finer grained rocks like basalt.
Sedimentary Rock
Formed from the:
- compaction
- cementation
- hardening
of sediments derived from other rocks