a map that shows the detailed shapes and features of the Earth's surface
100
What is a catastrophic event?
an extreme weather event that can impact an ecosystem
100
Which two layers play a major role in plate tectonics? What role does each layer play?
the lithosphere - layer with the tectonic plates; asthenosphere - layer that moves slowly and causes the plates to move
200
What happens at a transform plate boundary?
They slide past each other causing earthquakes
200
Explain the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition.
weathering is the breaking down of rocks, erosion is the movement of sediment, deposition is the laying down of sediment
200
What does a map's scale tell us?
the distance measured on the map represents the actual distance on the Earth (ex. 1 cm = 10 km)
200
What impact can a flood have on an ecosystem? Give at least 2 environmental impacts.
loss of plant and animal life, contamination of water, damage to plants, buildings and other objects, can bring good nutrients to the soil, alter habitats, etc.
200
Explain continental drift.
the theory that the continents were once connected (Pangaea) before they slowly drifted apart.
300
What forms at a convergent plate boundary?
folded mountains and volcanoes
300
What process could cause a valley to form?
erosion
300
How can you tell the elevation by looking at a topographic map?
you look at the contour lines, especially the contour intervals
300
What impact can a tornado have on an ecosystem?
erosion of soil, uprooting of vegetation, destruction of habitats, destruction of buildings, loss of plant, animal or human life
300
The crust belongs to which layer of Earth?
the lithosphere
400
What occurs at a divergent plate boundary?
mid-ocean ridges where new crust is formed
400
What could cause erosion in an area?
flooding, decrease in plants due to cutting them down, glaciers, etc.
400
How can you locate the peak on a topographic map?
you look for the highest elevation, as well as smaller circles of contour lines
400
What impact can a hurricane have on an ecosystem?
destruction of marine or terrestrial habitats, flooding due to storm surges, relocation of animals due to habitat loss, damaged buildings, loss of plant, animal and human life
400
What evidence supports continental drift and the theory of plate tectonics?
continents fit together like puzzle pieces, similar land features are found on different continents (geologic evidence), similar fossils are found on different continents (fossil evidence)
500
What occurs at a subduction zone?
a convergent plate slides under another convergent plate causing volcanoes and trenches to form
500
What agents of weathering and erosion occur at the coast of Texas?
wind, water from waves, storms
500
How can you tell that an elevation is steep?
you look for contour lines that are closer together
500
Which catastrophic event(s) can affect the global climate?
volcanic eruptions, dust storms (Possibly)
500
What causes the asthenosphere to slowly move, which in turn causes the plates to move?