Earth Science Chapter 1

Submarine Canyon

..., A deep valley eroded into the continental shelf.

Continental Shelf

..., A gently sloping, shallow area of the ocean floor that extends outward from the edge of a continent

Abyssal

..., A smooth, nearly flat region of the deep ocean floor

Continental Margin

..., a boundary between continental crust and oceanic crust

Turbidity Current

..., a downslope movement of dense, sediment-laden water created when sand and mud on the continental shelf and slope are dislodged and thrown into suspension

Ocean Basin Floor

..., area of the deep-ocean floor between the continental margin and the oceanic ridge

Continental Rise

..., the gently sloping surface at the base of the continental slope

Continental Slope

..., the steep descent of the seabed from the continental shelf to the abyssal zone

Topographic Map

A map that represents Earth's surface in 3D; shows elevation, distance, directions, and slope angles

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation that is tested to determine if it is valid

Theory

A well tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts

Biosphere

All life on Earth, Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere.

System

Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole

Contour Line

Line on a topographic map that indicates an elevation

Contour Interval

On a topographic map, tells the distance in elevation between adjacent contour lines

Historical Geology

Seeks an understanding of the origin of Earth and its development through time.

Fact

Something that can be verified by observation and is not arguable.

Physical Geology

Study of earth materials and the processes operating within earth and on its surfaces

Meteorology

Study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce different weather conditions

Geology

Study of the solid Earth, study of materials that make up earth and the processes that form and change these materials and the history of the planet and its life forms since its orgins

Oceanography

Study the composition and movements of seawater

Mantle

The 2890-kilometrer-thick layer of Earth located below the crust, A 1,800 mile thick region of hot mineral matter

Astronomy

The branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.

Longitude

The distance east or west of equator

Latitude

The distance north or south of the equator

Atmosphere

The gaseous portion of the planet, the planets pocket of air

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere is the global equality of all water ecosystems on a planet.

Core

The innermost layer of Earth, located beneath the mantle; has two parts outer core and inner core

Geosphere

The layer of Earth under both the atmosphere and the oceans; made up from the core, mantle, and crust

Earth Science

The name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space

Crust

The thin, rocky outer layer of Earth