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chapter 4
Term | Definition |
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core | The heart or inner part of a thing, as of a column, wall, rope, of a boil, etc.; especially, the central part of fruit, containing the kernels or seeds; as, the core of an apple or quince. |
mantle | the layer of the earth between the crust and the core |
magma | molten rock in the earth's crust [also: {magmata} (pl)] |
plate tectonics | the branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust |
continental drift | the gradual movement and formation of continents (as described by plate tectonics) |
rift valleys | a valley with steep sides; formed by a rift in the earth's crust |
abyssal plains | any of the great flat sediment-covered areas of ocean floor |
continental shelves | a shallow submarine plain of varying width forming a border to a continent and typically ending in a comparatively steep slope to the deep ocean floor |
trench | a long, narrow hole that is dug in the ground : a deep, narrow hole in the ground that is used as protection for soldiers : a long, narrow hole in the ocean floor |
folds | a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasm |
faults | a bad quality or part of someone's character : a weakness in character : a problem or bad part that prevents something from being perfect : a flaw or defect : responsibility for a problem, mistake, bad situation, etc. |
weathering | the action of the weather conditions in altering the color, texture, composition, or form of exposed objects; specifically : the physical disintegration and chemical decomposition of earth materials at or near the earth's surface |
sediment | material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid : material (such as stones and sand) that is carried into water by water, wind, etc. |
erosion | the gradual destruction of something by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice) : the process by which something is eroded or worn away |
glaciers | a very large area of ice that moves slowly down a slope or valley or over a wide area of land |
plateau | a large flat area of land that is higher than other areas of land that surround it : a period when something does not increase or advance any further |
alluvial fan | the alluvial deposit of a stream where it issues from a gorge upon a plain or of a tributary stream at its junction with the main stream |
delta | the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet : a piece of land shaped like a triangle that is formed when a river splits into smaller rivers before it flows into an ocean : an area of low land along the Mississippi River that is mainly in the state of Mississi |
desalinization | to remove salt from (something, such as water) |
hydrologic cycle | the sequence of conditions through which water passes from vapor in the atmosphere through precipitation upon land or water surfaces and ultimately back into the atmosphere as a result of evaporation and transpiration —called also hydrological cycle |
headwater | source of a stream —usually used in plural |
tributary | paying tribute to another to acknowledge submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace : subject |
watershed | : a time when an important change happens : a line of hills or mountains from which rivers drain : a ridge between two rivers : the area of land that includes a particular river or lake and all the rivers, streams, etc., that flow into it |
drainage basin | an area of land from which the rain flows into a particular river or lake, etc. |
estuaries | the part of a river or other area of water where it joins the sea, and where fresh water and salt water are mixed |
wetlands | an area of land that is naturally wet |
groundwater | water that collects below the surface of the earth |
water table | the layer below the earth's surface where water is found |
humus | dark earth made of organic material such as decayed leaves and plants |
leaching | to remove a substance from a material, especially from earth, by the process of water moving through the material, or to remove parts of a material using water |
contour plowing | |
soil salinization | |
deforestation | |
reforestation | plant trees on an area of land that has become empty or spoiled |
acid rain | rain that contains large amounts of harmful chemicals as a result of burning substances such as coal and oil |
aqueducts | a structure for carrying water across land, especially one like a high bridge with many arches that carries pipes or a canal across a valley |
aquifers | a layer of rock, sand, or earth that contains water or allows water to pass through it |
fossil water | |
ore | rock or soil from which metal can be obtained |
fossil fuels | fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago |
petrochemicals | |
hydroelectric power | |
geothermal energy |