Earth's History
The mineralized remains of organisms and the rock layers in which they are found, showing when and where long-dead organisms lived and how their bodies were structured
Fossil Record
The cycle through which Earth's rocks change from one type into another over time due to various Earth processes creates changes in mineral compositions and physical structures
Rock Cycle
The process by which gravity, water, wind, and ice removes and transport sediment from one place to another
Erosion
Major geological event that occurs when plates shift suddenly and release stored energy; a frequent occurrence along all types of plate boundaries
Earthquake
A place where two tectonic plates move toward each other and collide
Convergent Boundary
System of chronological measurement that relates stratigraphy to time
Geoloigical Time Scale
Rock formed when lava or magma cools, forms crystals, and solidifies
Igneous Rock
Earth material that is broken down by processes of weathering can be eroded and deposited by agents of water, wind, ice ,and gravity
Sediment
Any natural process that happens to Earth's surface, such as weathering, erosion ,or plate tectonics
Geoscience Process
A place where two tectonic plates move away from each other
Divergent Boundary
Scientific law that states fossils located in deeper sediment layers are older than ones deposited in layers closer to the surface
Law of Superposition
A change that involves one substance being pulled apart or combined with another substance to form a completely different substance or substances
Chemical Change
The mechanical or chemical processes by which gravity, water, wind ,and ice break rocks into smaller pieces
Weathering
Huge piece of crust that slowly moves on the upper, ductile part of the mantle
Tectonic Plate
Melted, or molten, rock material beneath Earth's surface ;cools slowly to form rocks with larger crystals
Magma
Bed or layers of sedimentary rock having approximately the same composition throughout
Rock Strata
Rock formed when particles of other rocks are deposited in layers and cemented together
Sedimentary Rock
The process by which gravity, water, wind ,and oce deposit weathered and relocated sediment
Deposition
Earth's surface that shows evidence of the natural processes of weathering and the removal and relocation of weathered materials
Erosional Features
An underwater mountain system formed by plate tectonics; the largest single volcanic feature on Earth
Mid-Ocean Ridge
The study of rock layers
Straigraphy
Rock formed deep underground due to heat and pressure
Metamorphic Rock
Areas of Earth that form caverns, which are typically made of limestone
Underground Formations
Distinctive part, quality, or characteristics of Earth's outer layer
Surface Feature
The process in which a denser plate is pushed downward beneath a less dense plate when plates converge
Subduction