Glossary
- Page ID
- 33070
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)| Words (or words that have the same definition) | The definition is case sensitive | (Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages] | (Optional) Caption for Image | (Optional) External or Internal Link | (Optional) Source for Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Eg. "Genetic, Hereditary, DNA ...") | (Eg. "Relating to genes or heredity") |  |
The infamous double helix | https://bio.libretexts.org/ | CC-BY-SA; Delmar Larsen |
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Word(s) |
Definition |
Image | Caption | Link | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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asthenosphere |
the semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere that allows tectonic plates to move |
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biochemical sedimentary rock |
rock formed as shells made of precipitated mineral material collect and cement together |
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chemical sedimentary rock |
rock formed as minerals precipitate from solution |
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clastic sedimentary rock |
rock formed from the accumulation, compression and cementation of sediments |
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cleavage |
the way a mineral naturally breaks along specific planes of weakness in its crystal structure, forming smooth, flat surfaces |
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convergent boundary |
boundary between two tectonic plates at which the two plates move toward one another |
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core |
the central part of Earth, consisting of a solid inner layer and a liquid outer layer, made mostly of iron and nickel |
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crust |
the thin, outermost layer of Earth, made up of solid rock |
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decompression melting |
the process by which rocks melt due to a decrease in pressure, typically occurring at mid-ocean ridges or hot spots |
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divergent boundary |
boundary between two tectonic plates at which the two plates move away from one another |
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earthquakes |
the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the release of energy along fault lines or from volcanic activity |
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extrusive rock |
an igneous rock that forms from lava cooling quickly at or near the Earth's surface |
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felsic |
a type of igneous rock rich in silica and light-colored minerals |
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foliated |
characteristic of a metamorphic rock by which it has a fabric of aligned minerals or aligned bands of minerals |
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hardness |
a measure of how resistant a mineral is to being scratched |
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igneous rock |
rock formed as molten material cools |
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intermediate |
a type of igneous rock with a composition between felsic and mafic, often lighter than mafic rocks but darker than felsic rocks |
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intrusive rock |
an igneous rock that forms from magma cooling slowly beneath the Earth's surface |
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lava |
molten rock on the surface |
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lithosphere |
the rigid outer layer of Earth, made up of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, broken into tectonic plates |
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mafic |
a type of igneous rock that is rich in magnesium and iron and darker in color |
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magma |
molten rock below the surface |
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mantle |
the thick, middle layer of Earth's interior, located below the crust and above the core, made of a mix of solid and semi-solid rock |
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mass wasting |
the failure and down-slope movement of rock or unconsolidated materials in response to gravity |
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metamorphic rock |
rock that has been changed from its original form by heat, pressure, or chemical processes |
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mineral |
a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure |
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organic sedimentary rock |
rock formed through the accumulation of organic material |
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plate |
a rigid piece of Earth's lithosphere that moves on top of the asthenosphere. |
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plate boundary |
the area where two tectonic plates meet |
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rock cycle |
the continuous process by which rocks are formed, altered, destroyed, and reformed through geological processes like melting, cooling, erosion, and exposure to pressure |
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rocks |
aggregates of the crystals of one or more minerals |
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sedimentary rock |
rock formed from the accumulation and compression of sediments, through the accumulation of precipitated minerals, or through the accumulation of organic material |
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silica tetrahedron |
a basic building block of silicate minerals, consisting of one silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms in a pyramid shape |
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silicate minerals |
minerals that contain silicon and oxygen as their main elements, forming the majority of Earth's crust |
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specific gravity |
the ratio of a mineral's density compared to the density of water |
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transform boundary |
boundary between two tectonic plates at which the two plates slide past one another |
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volcanic rock |
a type of igneous rock formed from lava that cools and solidifies quickly on or near Earth's surface |
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chemical weathering |
the chemical change of earth material into materials with a different composition resulting from exposure to the atmosphere |
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clay |
any unconsolidated material with a grain diameter less than 0.004 mm, or the group of minerals called clay minerals, which are sheet silicates |
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exfoliation |
the process by which layers or sheets of rock peel off due to changes in temperature or pressure |
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frost wedging |
the process by which the water seeps into cracks in a rock, expands on freezing, and thus enlarges the cracks |
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hydrolysis |
a chemical weathering process where minerals in rock react with water, causing them to break down and form new minerals, usually clay |
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mechanical weathering |
the physical breakdown of rock into smaller pieces |
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oxidation |
a chemical weathering process where minerals, especially those containing iron, react with oxygen in the air or water, causing them to lose electrons and become weaker |
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parent material |
the material from which a soil forms |
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relief |
the slope of a surface |
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soil |
loose material formed in place by weathering the underlying materials |
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soil horizon |
a distinct layer of soil that differs in color, texture, and composition from the layers above or below it |
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weathering |
the process by which rock breaks down |
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cinder cone |
a small, steep-sided volcano made of ash, cinders, and other volcanic debris that erupts explosively and is usually made of mafic materials |
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composite volcano |
a large, steep-sided volcano formed by alternating eruptions of lava flows and explosive ash, creating layers of solidified lava and debris |
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lahar |
volcanic mudflow or debris flow |
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shield volcano |
a broad, gently sloping volcano formed by the eruption of low-viscosity, mafic lava that flows easily, creating wide, shield-like shapes |
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tephra |
volcanic rock fragments of any size such as the very small volcanic ash |
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volatiles — components that behave as gases during volcanic eruptions |
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body waves |
seismic waves that travel through the Earth's interior, including P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves (secondary waves), during an earthquake |
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earthquake intensity |
a measure of what people felt and how much damage was done during an earthquake |
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earthquake magnitude |
a measure of the amount of energy released during an earthquake |
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elastic deformation |
he temporary change in shape or size of rocks due to stress, which can return to its original form once the stress is removed |
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epicenter |
the point on the land surface directly above the hypocenter of the earthquake |
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hypocenter |
the actual location of an individual earthquake's starting point at depth in the ground |
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intraplate |
being located away from a plate boundary in the more center part of the plate |
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liquefaction |
process by which otherwise solid body of sediment gets transformed into a liquid mass that can flow, often as a result of an earthquake |
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stress |
force applied to a body |
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strain |
change in shape caused by stress |
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surface waves |
seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface, causing most of the shaking felt during an earthquake; they include Love waves and Rayleigh waves |
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tsunami |
very large wave, usually in the ocean, generated as the seafloor moves as a result of an earthquake event |
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creep |
very slow movement of soil or other unconsolidated material on a slope |
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debris flow |
the down slope movement of a mix of different size materials that occurs when a mass of sediment becomes completely saturated with water, to the extent that the mass loses strength and flows |
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mud flow |
the down slope movement of mud-sized materials that occurs when a mass of sediment becomes completely saturated with water, to the extent that the mass loses strength and flows |
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rock avalanche |
the sliding motion of rock along a sloping surface at very fast rates |
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rock fall |
abrupt movement of rock which become detached from steep slopes or cliffs |
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rock slide |
the sliding motion of rock along a sloping surface |
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slump |
a type of slide that takes place within thick unconsolidated deposits where there is movement along a curved surface such that there is downward motion near to the top and outward motion towards the bottom |
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ammonification |
the process by which decomposers break down organic matter (like dead plants and animals) and release nitrogen in the form of ammonia |
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carbon cycle |
the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, plants, and animals, helping regulate Earth's climate |
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climate |
the average weather for a region over time |
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denitrification |
the process by which bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere |
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exosphere |
the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, where particles are very spread out and can escape into space |
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mesosphere |
the middle layer of Earth's atmosphere, where meteors burn up upon entering |
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nitrification |
the process by which certain bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates, which plants can use as a nutrient |
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nitrogen cycle |
the process by which nitrogen moves between the atmosphere, soil, plants, and animals, involving various bacteria and other organisms |
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nitrogen fixation |
the process by which certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into forms (like ammonia) that plants can use for growth |
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photosynthesis |
the process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce food (glucose) and oxygen |
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stratosphere |
the layer above the troposphere, where the ozone layer is located and where weather is more stable |
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thermosphere |
a layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere, where temperatures increase with altitude and where the auroras occur |
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troposphere |
the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather happens and clouds form |
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weather |
the summation of current atmospheric conditions at any given moment |
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aquifer |
a layer of rock or sediment that stores and transmits groundwater, often used as a source of potable water |
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aquitard |
a layer of rock or sediment that slows or prevents the flow of groundwater, acting as a barrier between aquifers |
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cone of depression |
a funnel-shaped depression in the water table that forms around a well when groundwater is being pumped out faster than it can be replenished |
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confined aquifer |
an aquifer that is trapped between two layers of impermeable rock or sediment, preventing easy flow of water |
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drainage basin |
the area of land where all water drains into a single river or stream, including its tributaries |
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drainage divide |
high spot that separates two drainage basins |
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drought |
a period of reduced rainfall and/or snowfall that results in water-related problems |
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floodplain |
the flat area of land next to a stream that is prone to flooding during heavy rain or when the river overflows |
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flood recurrence interval |
the probability that a flood of a certain size will happen at some time in the future |
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groundwater |
the water stored in the open spaces within unconsolidated sediment and the underlying bedrock |
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overland flow |
the movement of water across the land's surface, usually after heavy rainfall, before it reaches streams |
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permeability |
the interconnectedness of the pores in a rock or sediment which determines how well fluid can flow through the body |
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porosity |
the amount of open pore space in a rock or sediment |
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saturated zone |
the layer of rock or sediment where all the pore spaces are filled with water, located below the water table |
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stream |
a body of flowing surface water of any size |
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subsidence |
the lowering of the Earth's surface due to the removal of groundwater |
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transpiration |
evaporation by solar energy from plants |
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tributary |
a smaller stream that feeds into the larger one |
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turbidity |
a measure of the amount of solid matter suspended in water |
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unconfined aquifer |
an aquifer that is not sealed by an impermeable layer and is open to the surface, allowing water to easily flow in and out |
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unsaturated zone |
the layer of rock or sediment above the water table, where pore spaces contain both air and water |
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water table |
the upper limit of the saturated zone |
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fossil fuels |
natural fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, used to produce energy |
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geothermal energy |
energy derived from the heat stored inside the Earth, often used for heating or generating electricity |
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hydroelectric power |
energy produced by the movement of water, typically from dams or flowing rivers, to generate electricity |
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non-renewable sources |
energy sources that once they are extracted from Earth materials and consumed, they are gone |
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nuclear energy |
the energy that is stored in the nuclei of atoms |
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nuclear fission |
a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing a large amount of energy |
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nuclear fusion |
a process where two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy; this is the process that powers the Sun |
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solar energy |
energy harnessed from the Sun, typically using solar panels or solar collectors |
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tides |
the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth’s oceans |
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wind energy |
energy generated by the movement of air, typically captured using wind turbines |
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dump |
a place where waste is discarded |
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landfill |
an engineered structure with barriers to contain the waste, mechanisms to capture and treat liquid and gaseous waste byproducts, and procedures in place to monitor the surrounding water and air |
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monitoring wells |
wells constructed around a landfill to sample the groundwater and determine if any contaminants are escaping |
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greenhouse gases |
gases that trap the Earth’s heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures |
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nonpoint sources |
pollution that comes from multiple, scattered sources, such as runoff from roads or farmland, rather than a single identifiable location |
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point sources |
pollution that comes from a single, specific location, such as a factory or wastewater treatment plant |
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underground storage tanks |
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smog |
a type of air pollution made up of smoke, fog, and chemical pollutants, often caused by vehicle emissions and industrial activity |
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soot |
Fine black particles produced by burning fossil fuels or wood, which pollute the air |
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glacial |
a period of cooler climate often referred to as an ice age when glaciers are advancing/growing |
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interglacial |
a period of warmer climate between glacials, when glaciers are retreating/melting |
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permafrost |
ground that remains frozen year-round |
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