Intro to Geology
&
Earth Composition
&
Earth Composition
The study of earth and its materials, structure, and processes, and the history of how these things have changed over time.
What is GEOLOGY?
Large pieces of the crust and the mantle that float and more on the bottom part of the upper mantle.
What are TECTONIC PLATES?
Molten (liquid) or semi-molten rock that is on the earths crust.
What is LAVA?
A sudden shaking of the earths crust as elastic energy is released from the rocks, creating seismic waves.
What is an EARTHQUAKE?
A solid that naturally forms in the earth but is not from living things; it is made of specific elements with its atoms arranged in a precise way.
What is a MINERAL?
A scientist that studies geology.
What is a GEOLOGIST?
Molten (liquid) or semi-molten rock that is under the surface of the crust.
What is MAGMA?
AN opening in the earths crust from which molten rock is able to escape the earths surface, along with other debris, water vapor, and gases. Can be active, dormant, or extinct; there are different types of volcanoes and different types of eruptions.
What is a VOLCANO?
A fracture (crack) in a block of rock (Earth's crust) in which the resulting two blocks move relative to one another.
What is a FAULT?
A three-dimensional solid that has its internal atoms arranged in a highly organized way.
What is a CRYSTAL?
The top layer of the earth composed of rocks and minerals; there are two types of crust-- continental and oceanic.
What is CRUST?
The theory that the continents used to fit together and have moved apart.
What is CONTINENTAL DRIFT?
A process in a volcano where magma, along with other materials, pushes up out of the earth and onto its surface.
What is an ERUPTION?
A wave of elastic energy that travels through the earth as a body wave or across the surface as a surface wave.
What is a SEISMIC WAVE?
A rock with a hollow cavity containing crystals.
What is a GEODE?
The middle layer of the earth composed of rock and minerals; the upper mantle is made of hard and soft rock while the lower mantle is made of all hard rock.
What is the MANTLE?
Motion when warmer (less dense) material rises and cooler (more dense) material sinks.
What is CONVECTION?
What is MOUNT ST. HELENS?
(also called a hypocenter) a point from which an earthquake starts.
What is FOCUS?
Short for gemstone; a mineral crystal that is considered highly valuable; gems are usually cut and polished and used to make jewelry.
What is a GEM?
The central layer of the earth composed of metal; the outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid.
What is the CORE?
An area of convergence where one tectonic plate sinks and slides under another.
What is SUBDUCTION ZONE?
Water vapor, gas, dust, rock, minerals, volcanic glass, and other debris that get emitted into the air like a cloud.
What is an ASH CLOUD?
The pain on the surface of the earth that is directly above the focus.
What is an EPICENTER?
A hard, solid, underground rock that is covered by other loose surface materials (such as rocks and dirt) and is part of the Earth's crust.
What is BEDROCK?