Geosphere
The solid part of the Earth that consists of all rock, as well as the soils and loose rocks on Earth's surface. 63
Crust
Earth's thin outer layer, made up of almost entirely light elements. 64
Mantle
Layer beneath the crust, makes up 64% of the mass of the Earth, made of medium sized rocks. P. 64-65
Core
Earth's innermost layer, composed of the densest elements. 65
Lithosphere
Earth's outermost layer, includes the crust and uppermost mantle. 65
Asthenosphere
Layer beneath the lithosphere, a plastic, solid layer of the mantle made of rock that flows very slowly and allows tectonic plates to move on top of it. 65
Tectonic plates
The pieces that the lithosphere is divided into. 66
Erosion
The removal and transport of surface material.70
Seismograph
A measuring instrument for detecting and measuring the intensity and direction and duration of movements of the ground. 64
Atmosphere
Mixture of gasses that surround the Earth. p.71
Troposphere
The atmosphere layer nearest Earth's surface. p.72
Stratosphere
Atmosphere layer above the troposphere. 73
Thermosphere
The atmospheric layer farthest from Earth's surface. 73
Ozone
A molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. p.73
Radiation
The transfer of energy across space and in the atmosphere. 74
Conduction
The flow of heat from a warmer object to a colder object when the objects are placed in direct physical contact.74
Convection
The transfer of heat by air currents.74
Greenhouse effect
The process, in which gases trap heat near the Earth. 76
Gravity
the force of attraction between all masses in the universe. 76
Water Cycle
The continuous movement of water into the air, onto land, and then back to water sources. 77
Evaporation
The process by which liquid water is heated by the sun and then rises into the atmosphere as water vapor. 77
Condensation
Water vapor forms water droplets on dust particles. 77
Precipitation
When large droplets of water falls from the clouds, can be snow, sleet, or hail also. 77
Salinity
The concentration of all the dissolved salts water contains. 78
Thermocline
A layer about 300 to 700 meters deep where the temperature falls rapidly with depth. 80
Fresh Water
Water that makes up a little more then 3% of the water on Earth. 83
Recharge zone
The surface of the land where water enters an aquifer. 83
Biosphere
The narrow layer around Earth's surface in which life can exist. 84