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Tectonic Forces Flashcards

(71 cards)

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1
Q

Confining Stress

A

Uniform pressure applied equally in all directions, causing rocks to compact but not deform significantly

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2
Q

Tension

A

Stress that pulls rocks apart, often occurring at divergent boundaries, leading to normal faults

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3
Q

Shear

A

Stress that causes rocks to slide past each other in opposite directions, common at transform boundaries

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4
Q

Elastic Deformation

A

Temporary strain in rocks that disappears when stress is removed

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5
Q

Plastic Deformation

A

Permanent bending or warping of rocks without breaking under applied stress

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6
Q

Fracture

A

Breaks in rock when stress exceeds rock strength, leading to faults or joints

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7
Q

Monocline

A

A simple bend in the rock layers that does not overturn the structure

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8
Q

Anticline

A

An upward-arching fold in rock layers

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9
Q

Dome

A

A circular uplift of rock layers caused by magma intrusion or tectonic forces

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10
Q

Syncline

A

A downward-arching fold in rock layers

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11
Q

Basin

A

A bowl-shaped depression in rock layers formed by tectonic forces

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12
Q

Joint

A

A crack in rock with no relative movement

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13
Q

Slip

A

The displacement of rock along a fault line

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14
Q

Dip

A

The angle at which a rock layer or fault slopes from the horizontal

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15
Q

Dip-Slip Faults

A

Faults where vertical movement occurs along the dip

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16
Q

Reverse Faults

A

Faults caused by compression, where the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall

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17
Q

Strike-Slip Fault

A

A fault where rock move horizontally past each other, common at transform boundaries

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18
Q

Earthquake

A

Vibrations in the Earth caused by the sudden release of energy along faults

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19
Q

Focus (Hypocenter)

A

The location within the Earth where an earthquake originates

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20
Q

Epicenter

A

The point on Earth’s surface directly above the earthquake’s focus

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21
Q

Shallow Earthquakes

A

Earthquakes that occur at depths less than 70km, often at transform and divergent boundaries

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22
Q

Ring of Fire

A

A major zone of volcanic and earthquake activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean

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23
Q

Intraplate Earthquakes

A

Earthquakes occurring within a tectonic plate rather than at plate boundaries

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24
Q

Thrust Faults

A

A low-angle reverse fault, common in subduction zones

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25
Normal Faulting
Faulting caused by tension, where the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall
26
Crest
The highest point of a seismic wave
27
Trough
The lowest point of a seismic wave
28
Amplitude
The height of a wave, indicating energy release
29
Wavelength
The distance between wave crests
30
Seismology
The study of earthquakes and seismic waves
31
Body Waves
Seismic waves that travel through the Earth’s interior
32
Surface Waves
Seismic waves that travel along Earth’s surface, causing most damage
33
Seismograph
An instrument that detects and records earthquake waves
34
Seismogram
A recorded trace of earthquake activity
35
Seismometer
A device used to measure seismic waves
36
Mercalli Intensity Scale
Measures earthquake intensity based on observed damage
37
Shake Maps
Maps showing ground movement and shaking intensity during an earthquake
38
Richter Magnitude Scale
Measures earthquake magnitude based on seismic wave amplitude
39
Moment Magnitude Scale
Measures earthquake magnitude based on energy released
40
Foreshocks
Smaller quakes preceding a larger earthquake
41
Microfractures
Tiny cracks in rocks that can lead to larger earthquakes
42
Ground Tilting
Changes in land elevation that may indicate an impending earthquake
43
44
Hotspot
An area of volcanic activity caused by a plume of hot mantle material
45
Magma
Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface
46
Lava
Molten rock that reaches Earth’s surface
47
Eruption
The expulsion of magma, gas, and ash from a volcano
48
Mama Chambers
Underground reservoirs of molten rock
49
Viscosity
A measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow; controls eruption style
50
Large Explosive Eruption
A high-energy volcanic eruption associated with high-viscosity magma
51
Tephra (Volcanic Ash)
Fragments of volcanic rock and ash ejected during an eruption
52
Pyroclastic Flow
A fast-moving cloud of hot gases and volcanic material
53
Lahar
Volcanic Mudflow
54
Effusive Eruption
A slow lava flow with low explosivity
55
Pahoehoe
Smooth, ropey lava
56
Aa
Rough, jagged lava
57
Vocanologists
Scientists who study volcanoes
58
Active Volcanoes
Currently erupting or expected to erupt
59
Dormant Volcanoes
Inactive but could erupt again
60
Extinct Volcanoes
No longer capable of erupting
61
Cinder Cones
Small, steep-sided volcanoes formed from explosive eruptions
62
Supervolcanoes
Massive volcanic systems with the potential for catastrophic eruptions
63
Caldera
A large depression formed after a major volcanic eruption
64
Lava Plateau
A flat, extensive lava deposit
65
Hot Springs
Heated ground water emerging at the surface
66
Eruption Clouds
Massive volcanic gas and ash plumes
67
Lava Bombs
Large ejected molten rock fragments
68
Poisonous Gas
Harmful volcanic emissions like CO2 and SO2
69
Geothermal Power
Energy harnessed from Earth’s heat
70
Renewable Resource
A resource that replenishes naturally over time, such as geothermal energy
71
Population Density
The number of people living per unit area, which influences the impact of natural disasters

Physical Environment (11 decks)

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