Rocks & Minerals
Scale for comparing mineral hardness
What is Mohs' hardness scale?
The pre-Renaissance model for understanding earth's position in the universe
What is geocentric?
Closed circles on a topographic map indicating elevation
What are contour lines?
Measure of dissolved salt in seawater
What is salinity?
Gases that trap heat in earth's atmosphere
What are greenhouse gases?
Natural, solid mixture of one or more types of mineral grains
What is a rock?
The phase of the moon following first quarter
What is waxing gibbous?
Invisible lines running parallel to the Equator
What are lines of latitude?
71%
Atmospheric pressure ahead of rain or stormy weather
What is low atmospheric pressure?
Fossil fuel composed of compressed and altered plant remains
What is coal?
Occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth
What is a solar eclipse
Invisible lines east or west of a line running from pole to pole (Prime Meridian)
What are lines of longitude?
A hurricane in the Indian ocean
What is a cyclone?
Process by which cooling water vapor converts back into liquid droplets
Naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid
What is a mineral?
23.5 degrees
What is the angle at which the earth's axis is tilted?
Method by which the curved surface of Earth is portrayed on a flat surface
Warm, northward flowing ocean current off the east coast of North America
What is the Gulf Stream?
Primary pollutant in smog
What is ozone?
Mineral that contains a useful substance that can be mined for profit
What is an ore?
365.25 days
What is the length of a year in the Julian calendar? Bonus: What calendar replaced it, and what is the accurate length of a year?
Rise or drop in elevation per horizontal distance
What is gradient? Bonus: what is the formula for finding the gradient of a slope?
Increases risk of erosion and flooding in coastal areas
What is sea levels rising?
Small, high, puffy clouds