Law of Superposition - within a sequence of layers of sedimentary rock, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the newest rock layer is at the top., Igneous Rock - One of the three main rock types; formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava., Sedimentary Rock - Rock type produced by cementing, compacting, and otherwise solidifying preexisting unconsolidated sediments., Metamorphic Rock - Rock type arising from metamorphism of original rock under high heat and pressure., Rock Cycle - The process which describes transitions between the three main types of rocks over time. Processes involved in this cycle include weathering, erosion, deposition, crystallization, and compaction & cementation., Compaction & Cementation - The processes by which pieces of sediment are pressed together and formed into layers of sedimentary rock., Lithosphere - the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle., Crystallization - The process by which lava and magma cool and solidify into igneous rock., Weathering - the process of wearing or being worn by long exposure to the atmosphere and the elements., Erosion - the action of surface processes that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust and then transports it to another location where it is deposited., Deposition - the process of settling of particles on a new surface after erosion stops., Convergent Plate Boundary - An area on Earth where two or more lithospheric plates collide. One plate eventually slides beneath the other, a process known as subduction., Divergent Plate Boundary - a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. These boundaries within continents initially produce rifts, which eventually become rift valleys., Transform Plate Boundary - This plate boundary occurs where one plate grinds past another, side by side. An example of this type of boundary occurs off the west coast of California, and separates the Pacific plate from the North American plate along the San Andreas fault., Pangea - a supercontinent that existed from 335 to 200 million years ago, before drifting apart into the present continents., Cold Front - This front happens when a cold air mass moves in and pushes warmer air up. This can cause thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow., Warm Front - This front forms when a warm air mass slowly moves over a colder air mass. It often brings light rain or drizzle followed by warmer temperatures., Occluded Front - This front happens when a cold front catches up to a warm front, forcing warm air off the ground. This can lead to strong winds and heavy rain or snow, Stationary Front - This type of front occurs when a warm air mass and a cold air mass meet but don’t move much. It can bring cloudy skies and long periods of rain, High Pressure System - Pressure System associated with fair weather, clear skies, and warm air., Low Pressure System - Pressure system associated with unstable air, clouds, and precipitation., Transpiration - This part of the water cycle happens when plants release water vapor into the air through tiny openings in their leaves. This helps keep the water cycle moving, Evaporation - This part of the water cycle happens when the sun heats up water from oceans, lakes, or puddles, turning it into water vapor. This vapor rises into the air., Condensation - This part of the water cycle happens when water vapor cools down and turns back into tiny liquid droplets, forming clouds. This is how clouds are made in the sky., Precipitation - This part of the water cycle happens when water droplets in clouds get too heavy and fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This brings water back to Earth’s surface, Asthenosphere - The upper layer of the earth's mantle, below the lithosphere, in which there is relatively low resistance to plastic flow and convection is thought to occur., Mesosphere - The middle layer of Earth's atmosphere where meteors burn up and create heat. In this region, temperature decreases with altitude., Troposphere - The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere where weather occurs. In this region, temperature decreases with altitude., Greenhouse Effect - Greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere insulate the planet from losing heat to space, raising Earth’s surface temperature. Examples of greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane., Atmosphere - A layer of gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object.,

Geology Unit Flashcards

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