Earth's Changing Surface

Question 1

Mineral

Answer 1

A naturally occurring, usually inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure and chemical composition.

Question 2

Element

Answer 2

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. Each element is made of only one kind of atom.

Question 3

Atom

Answer 3

The smallest unit of an element: atoms are the building blocks of matter.

Question 4

Compound

Answer 4

A substance made up of molecules of two or more elements that are chemically bonded.

Question 5

Matter

Answer 5

Anything that has volume and mass.

Question 6

Crystal

Answer 6

A solid, geometric form that results from a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules.

Question 7

Luster

Answer 7

The way a mineral’s surface reflects light.

Question 8

Cleavage

Answer 8

The tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces.

Question 9

Weathering

Answer 9

The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces by natural forces.

Question 10

Erosion

Answer 10

The process by which sediment is removed from one place.

Question 11

Deposition

Answer 11

The process by which sediment is laid down in new locations.

Question 12

Igneous Rock

Answer 12

Rock that forms when molten rock cools and hardens.

Question 13

Sedimentary Rock

Answer 13

Rock that forms from compressed or cemented layers of sediment.

Question 14

Rock Cycle

Answer 14

The series of processes that change one type of rock into another over time.

Question 15

Uplift

Answer 15

The process that moves large bodies of Earth’s materials to higher elevations.

Question 16

Sudsidence

Answer 16

The sinking of regions of the crust to lower elavations.

Question 17

Rift Zone

Answer 17

An area where deep cracks form between tectonic plates that are pulling apart.

Question 18

Crust

Answer 18

The outermost solid layer of Earth.

Question 19

Mantle

Answer 19

The layer of hot, slow-flowing solid rock between the crust and the core.

Question 20

Convection

Answer 20

The movement of matter that results from differences in density caused by variations in temperature.

Question 21

Core

Answer 21

The densest layer of Earth, made mostly of iron and some nickel.

Question 22

Lithosphere

Answer 22

The rigid outer layer of Earth, made up of the crust and the upper part of the mantle; It is broken into tectonic plates.

Question 23

Asthenosphere

Answer 23

The soft, flowing layer of the mantle on which tectonic plates move.

Question 24

Mesosphere

Answer 24

The strong, lower part of the mantle where rock flows more slowly than in the asthenosphere.

Question 24

Pangaea

Answer 24

A supercontinent that included all of Earth's landmasses before they drifted apart.

Question 25

Sea-floor Spreading

Answer 25

The process by which new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and slowly moves away as more crust forms.

Question 26

Plate Tectonics

Answer 26

The theory describing the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates and explaining features such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building.

Question 27

Convergent Boundaries

Answer 27

A plate boundary where two plates move toward each other

Question 28

Divergent Boundaries

Answer 28

A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other.

Question 29

Transform Boundaries

Answer 29

A plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally.

Question 30

Deformation

Answer 30

The bending, tilting, and breaking of Earth's crust; The change in shape or volume of rock in response to stress.

Question 31

Folding

Answer 31

The bending of rock layers because of stress.

Question 32

Fault

Answer 32

A break in Earth's crust where blocks of rock move past each other.

Question 33

Shear Stress

Answer 33

Stress that pushes rocks in parallel but opposite directions.

Question 34

Tension

Answer 34

Stress that stretches rock apart.

Question 35

Compression

Answer 35

Stress that squeezes or shortens material.

Question 36

Earthquake

Answer 36

The shaking of the ground caused by the sudden movement of large blocks of rock along a fault.

Question 37

Focus

Answer 37

The location inside Earth where an earthquake begins.

Question 38

Epicenter

Answer 38

The point on Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's focus.

Question 39

Elastic Rebound

Answer 39

The sudden return of elastically deformed rock to its undeformed shape.

Question 40

Volcano

Answer 40

A place where gas, ash, or melted rock escapes from beneath Earth's surface.

Question 41

Magma

Answer 41

Molten rock inside Earth.

Question 42

Lava

Answer 42

magma that has reached Earth's surface.

Question 43

Vent

Answer 43

An opening at the surface of Earth through which volcanic material passes.

Question 44

Tectonic Plate

Answer 44

A rigid piece of the lithosphere that moves over the asthenosphere.

Question 45

Hot Spot

Answer 45

A location where a column of hot material rises from deep within the mantle and may cause volcanic activity.

Question 46

Metamorphic Rock