"Earth's Changing Surface"
the average weather conditions of a particular area
climate
red-hot melted rock that has erupted above Earth's crust from deep underground
lava
an explanation for why something happens based on evidence
theory
to move forward quickly, suddenly, and with force
surge
the act of paying careful attention to gather information, a statement based on paying careful attention to something
observation
a terrible, sudden event
catastrophe
a large area in the earth that is lower than the area around it
basin
melted rock in Earth's mantle
magma
a gigantic wave of seawater caused by an earthquake in oceanic crust
tsunami
to decide something or form an opinion based on information you have
conclude
thick or heavy
dense
heavy, dense rock formed from cooled, hardened lava
basalt
a narrow, extremely deep valley formed when the seafloor dips down as one tectonic plate slides under another
ocean trench
a crack in Earth's crust
fault
a scientific test to try to out something in order to learn about it
the preserved remains of things that lived long ago
fossil
the weight or force produced when something presses or pushes against something else
pressure
to cause a force to be felt or have an effect
exert
a smaller, weaker earthquake that often follows a main earthquake event
aftershock
proof, information and facts that are helpful in forming a conclusion or supporting an idea
evidence
a process in which continents slowly move over time on the surface of the earth
continental drift
a theory that Earth's crust and the solid top part of the mantle are broken up into sections that fit together but move against each other
plate tectonics
a surge of energy traveling out from an earthquake's source through the earth
seismic wave
an earthquake's strength
magnitude
an idea that has been suggested and may be true but has not yet been proven
hypothesis