VOCABULARY Flashcards
(23 cards)
What does ‘brittle’ mean?
Breaks easily.
Brittle materials tend to fracture under stress rather than deform.
What is the definition of ‘ductile’?
Bends without breaking.
Ductile materials can undergo significant deformation before rupture.
What happens during subduction?
One plate goes under another.
This process is key in forming deep ocean trenches.
What characterizes a divergent boundary?
Plates move apart.
Divergent boundaries are often associated with mid-ocean ridges.
What is a mid-ocean ridge?
Underwater mountain range.
Mid-ocean ridges are sites of seafloor spreading.
What occurs at a transform plate boundary?
Plates slide past.
This movement can lead to earthquakes.
What is seafloor spreading?
New crust at ridges.
This process occurs at divergent boundaries.
Define gravity.
Attraction between masses.
Gravity is a fundamental force in physics.
What is ridge push?
Gravity-driven movement.
Ridge push occurs at mid-ocean ridges due to elevation.
What is slab pull?
Subducting plate pulls.
Slab pull is a significant force in plate tectonics.
Fill in the blank: Mass = matter; weight = _______.
gravity on mass.
What is a rift valley?
Formed by diverging continental plates.
Rift valleys are often found in areas of continental rifting.
What is a deep sea trench?
Subduction zone trench.
Deep sea trenches are the deepest parts of the ocean.
What is the epicenter of an earthquake?
Above earthquake focus.
The epicenter is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
What is the focus of an earthquake?
Start of earthquake.
The focus is the point within the Earth where seismic waves originate.
Define tectonic plates.
Moving sections of lithosphere.
Tectonic plates are responsible for geological activity on Earth.
What is refraction?
Bending of waves.
Refraction occurs when waves pass through different mediums.
What is a seismogram?
Record of earthquake waves.
Seismograms provide data on the intensity and duration of seismic events.
What is a seismometer/seismograph?
Tool to detect seismic waves.
These instruments are essential for earthquake monitoring.
What are geologic features/processes?
Landforms and changes on Earth.
These processes include erosion, sedimentation, and plate tectonics.
What is a shadow zone?
Area where seismic waves don’t reach.
Shadow zones are created due to the refraction of seismic waves.
What are faults?
Cracks in Earth’s crust.
Faults are often the sites of earthquakes.
What are the types of plate boundaries?
Convergent, Divergent, Island Arc.
Each type of boundary has distinct geological features and activities.
