Unit 4

the innermost zone of Earth’s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel; it includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer

the layer of Earth above the core, containing magma, the asthenosphere, and the solid upper mantle

molen rock

the layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock

the outermost layer of Earth, including the solid upper mantle and crust

the theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion

a sudden movement of Earth’s crust caused by a release of potential energy from the movement of tectonic plates

in geology, a place where molten material from Earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere

a vent in the surface of Earth that emits, ash, gasses or molten lava

an area below the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other

caused by a divergent boundary, in which rising magma forms new oceanic crust on the seafloor at the boundaries between those plates

an area where one plate moves toward another plate and collides

the process in which the edge of an oceanic plate moves downward beneath the continental plate and is pushed toward the center of earth

a chain or islands formed by volcanoes as a result of two tectonic plates coming together and experiencing subduction

an area where two continental plates are pushed together and the colliding forces push up the crust to form a mountain range

an area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other

a fracture in rock caused by a movement of Earth’s crust

rock formed directly from magma

rock that forms when sediments such as muds, sand, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments

rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure

the geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock material that results from tectonics, weather, and erosion, among other processes

the mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals

the breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks, or both these processes

precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid (acid rain)