Tectonics - Key Terms

Question 1

Adaptation

Answer 1

Strategies designed to prepare for and reduce the impacts of events.

Question 2

Asthenosphere

Answer 2

The part of the mantle, below the lithosphere, where the rock is semi-molten.

Question 3

Benioff Zone

Answer 3

The area where friction is created between colliding tectonic plates, resulting in intermediate and deep earthquakes.

Question 4

Convection Currents

Answer 4

Hot, liquid magma currents moving in the asthenosphere.

Question 5

Crustal Fracturing

Answer 5

When energy released during an earthquake causes the earth’s crust to crack.

Question 6

Epicentre

Answer 6

The point of the earth’s surface directly above the focus on an earthquake.

Question 7

Focus

Answer 7

the point inside the earth’s crust from which the pressure is released when an earthquake occurs.

Question 8

Hazard Event

Answer 8

A natural hazard (such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption or tsunami).

Question 9

Hazard Management Cycle

Answer 9

A theoretical model of hazard management as a continuous 4 stage cycle involving mitigation, preparation, response and recovery.

Question 10

Hot Spot

Answer 10

Points within the middle of a tectonic plate where plumes of hot magma rise and erupt.

Question 11

Hydrometeorological Hazards

Answer 11

Natural hazards caused by climate processes (including droughts, floods, hurricanes and storms).

Question 12

Intra-Plate Earthquakes

Answer 12

Earthquakes which occur far from the plate margins.

Question 13

L Waves

Answer 13

The slowest seismic waves, which focus all their energy on the earth’s surface.

Question 14

Land Use Zoning

Answer 14

A process by which the local government regulates how land in a community may be used.

Question 15

Liquefaction

Answer 15

When the violent shaking during an earthquake causes surface rocks to lose strength and become more liquid than solid.

Question 16

Mitigation

Answer 16

Action to reduce the impacts of an event.

Question 17

Multiple Hazard Zone

Answer 17

An area that is at risk from multiple natural hazards such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

Question 18

Natural Disaster

Answer 18

A major natural hazard that causes significant social, environmental and economic damage.

Question 19

Natural Hazard

Answer 19

A naturally occurring process or event that has the potential to affect humans.

Question 20

P Waves

Answer 20

The fastest seismic waves which travel through both solids and liquids.

Question 21

Paleomagnetism

Answer 21

The study of past changes in the earth’s magnetic field (determined from rocks, sediment or archeological records).

Question 22

Park Model

Answer 22

Shows how a country or region might respond after a hazard event.

Question 23

Pressure and Release Model

Answer 23

A tool used to work out how vulnerable a country is to hazards.

Question 24

Resilience

Answer 24

The ability to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from destruction and to restore areas after a natural hazard has occurred.

Question 25

S Waves

Answer 25

Seismic waves that only travel through solids and move in a sideways motion.

Question 26

Slab Pull

Answer 26

When newly formed oceanic crust sinks into the mantle, pulling the rest of the plate further down with it.

Question 27

Solar Output

Answer 27

The amount of radiation the sun emits, which can affect the earth's temperature.

Question 28

Sub-Aerial Processes

Answer 28

The processes of weathering and mass movement.

Question 29

Subduction Zone

Answer 29

The area in the mantle where the tectonic plate melts.

Question 30

Transform Faults

Answer 30

A fault created on a larger scale when 2 plates slide past each other.

Question 31

Vulnerability

Answer 31

The ability to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from a natural hazard.

Question 32

Water Column

Answer 32

The area of seawater from the surface to the sea floor.