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Vocab 1

200

The widely accepted scientific theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into sections that move around the planet.

Plate tectonics

300

The third layer of the Earth. It is made up of super-heated liquid, molten lava. The lava is mostly made up of the elements iron and nickel. This layer creates Earth's magnetic field.

Outer core

400

Rocks that are formed from the cooling of magma and lava. Granite is an example.

Igneous rock

500

Also called subduction zone. When two tectonic plates collide together. This can create mountains and volcanos.

Convergent boundary

Vocab 2

200

The outermost layer of the Earth. It is made up of loose material like rocks, soil, and seabed.

Crust

300

A type of erosion of rocks that changes the molecules of the rocks, like the dissolving of minerals from acid rain, that wears the rock away.

Chemical weathering

400

A layer that includes Earth's crust and the top-most mantle. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur here. The tectonic plate make up this layer.

Lithosphere

500

Rocks that form from other rocks because of high heat and high pressure. Marble is an example.

Metamorphic rock

Vocab 3

200

The last layer of the Earth. Geologists believe it is a solid ball of iron and other minerals. Temperatures can reach 13,000^oF, but because of high pressure within the Earth, the iron doesn't melt.

Inner core

300

The thinnest part of Earth's crust underneath oceans and seas. Mostly made up of very dense basalt rock.

Oceanic crust

400

A type of erosion that cracks, chips, or splits rocks apart. Water, ice, wind, and other rocks can cause this erosion.

Mechanical weathering

500

Also called spreading center. When two tectonic plates move away from one another. This can create mid-ocean ridges in the oceanic crust.

Divergent boundary

Vocab 4

200

The scientist who theorized continental drift and helped develop plate tectonics.

Alfred Wegener

300

The second layer of the Earth that makes up about 85% of Earth's mass. Most of this layer is super-heated molten rock that flows like liquid tar. Th top and bottom parts of this layer is solid rock.

Mantle

400

A layer of the mantle where convection of the super-heated molten rock occurs. Cooler rocks sink and hotter rocks rise in a flowing cycle, similar to ocean currents.

Asthenosphere

500

BONUS: The word used for the constant cycle of cooling and heating rocks within the mantle.

Convection

Vocab 5

200

The supercontinent that existed millions of years ago before the tectonic plates drifted apart to form today's continents

Pangea

300

The thickest part of Earth's crust underneath the continents and other large land masses like big islands. Mostly made up of low density granite rock that "floats" on the mantle.

Continental crust

400

Rocks made up of many other rocks, minerals, or shells and form layers. Sandstone is an example.

Sedimentary rock

500

Also called a transform boundary. When tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This can cause earthquakes.

Conservative boundary