Unit 4 Flashcards
IMPORTANT: 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, & 4.7
What are Monsoons?
What geological events occur at convergent plate boundaries?
Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain formation, island arcs
Convergent boundaries are where tectonic plates collide, leading to various geological phenomena.
What geological features are associated with divergent plate boundaries?
Seafloor spreading, rift valleys
Divergent boundaries occur where tectonic plates move apart, resulting in these geological features.
What happens at transform plate boundaries?
Earthquakes when stored energy is released
Transform boundaries are characterized by lateral sliding of tectonic plates, which can lead to earthquakes.
What is the Ring of Fire?
A major area in the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur
It is a direct result of tectonic plate movements.
What are the main processes involved in soil formation?
Physical weathering, chemical breakdown, erosion, transported and deposited materials
These processes contribute to the development of soil over time.
What are the soil horizons?
O, A, E, B, C
Each horizon represents a different layer of soil with varying characteristics.
What is humus?
Organic material in soil
Humus enhances soil fertility and structure.
What factors determine soil properties?
Water holding capacity, soil fertility, particle size, porosity, permeability
These factors influence how soil functions and supports plant life.
What is the structure of the Earth’s atmosphere?
Layers including troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
Each layer has distinct characteristics and temperature gradients.
What causes atmospheric circulation?
Global wind patterns, unequal heating of the Earth, the Coriolis effect
These factors contribute to the movement of air and weather patterns.
What are the characteristics of a watershed?
Slope of hills, vegetation
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common body of water.
How does solar radiation affect the Earth’s surface?
Intensity of the sun, spherical shape of Earth, tilt of the Earth on its axis, latitudes, seasons
These factors influence climate and weather patterns.
What is the summer solstice?
The longest day of the year
Occurs when one hemisphere is tilted closest to the sun.
What is the winter solstice?
The shortest day of the year
Occurs when one hemisphere is tilted farthest from the sun.
How does geography affect weather and climate?
Climate/weather changes with altitude, ocean temperatures affect weather, rainshadow effect
Geographic features influence local climate conditions.
What are the effects of El Niño events?
Changes in ocean surface temperature, altered ocean circulation patterns, increased rainfall, drought
El Niño can have significant global environmental impacts.
What are ocean gyres?
Large systems of circulating ocean currents
They play a crucial role in climate and marine ecosystems.
Fill in the blank: The process of _______ leads to the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles.
weathering
Weathering can be physical or chemical.
True or False: The Coriolis effect influences wind patterns on Earth.
True
It causes moving air to turn and twist, affecting weather systems.
