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Glossary
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Below you will find key words and concepts that you should remember from this chapter.
asthenosphere  A region of Earth's outer shell beneath the lithosphere. The asthenosphere is of indeterminate thickness and behaves plastically.
(See page(s) 12)
continental drift  A concept suggesting that continents move over Earth's surface.
(See page(s) 14)
convergent boundary  A boundary between two plates that are moving toward each other.
(See page(s) 18)
core  The central zone of Earth.
(See page(s) 12)
crust  The outer layer of rock, forming a thin skin over Earth's surface.
(See page(s) 12)
divergent plate boundary  Boundary separating two plates moving away from each other.
(See page(s) 14)
equilibrium  Material is in equilibrium if it is adjusted to the physical and chemical conditions of its environment so that it does not change or alter with time.
(See page(s) 17)
erosion  The physical removal of rock by an agent such as running water, glacial ice, or wind.
(See page(s) 17)
hypothesis  A tentative theory.
(See page(s) 18)
igneous rock  A rock formed or apparently formed from solidification of magma.
(See page(s) 16)
isostatic adjustment  Concept of vertical movement of sections of Earth’s crust to achieve balance or equilibrium.
(See page(s) 16)
lithosphere  The rigid outer shell of Earth, 70 to 125 or more kilometers thick.
(See page(s) 12)
magma  Molten rock, usually mostly silica. The liquid may contain dissolved gases as well as some solid minerals.
(See page(s) 15)
mantle  A thick shell of rock that separates Earth’s crust above from the core below.
(See page(s) 12)
metamorphic rock  A rock produced by metamorphism.
(See page(s) 16)
mid-oceanic ridge  A giant mountain range that lies under the ocean and extends around the world.
(See page(s) 14)
plate tectonics  A theory that Earth's surface is divided into a few large, thick plates that are slowly moving and changing in size. Intense geologic activity occurs at the plate boundaries.
(See page(s) 14)
scientific method  A means of gaining knowledge through objective procedures.
(See page(s) 18)
sediment  Loose, solid particles that can originate by (1) weathering and erosion of preexisting rocks, (2) chemical precipitation from solution, usually in water, and (3) secretion by organisms.
(See page(s) 17)
sedimentary rock  Rock that has formed from (1) lithification of any type of sediment, (2) precipitation from solution, or (3) consolidation of the remains of plants or animals.
(See page(s) 17)
subduction zone  Elongate region in which subduction takes place.
(See page(s) 16)
tectonic forces  Forces generated from within Earth that result in uplift, movement, or deformation of part of Earth’s crust.
(See page(s) 12)
theory  An explanation for observed phenomena that has a high possibility of being true.
(See page(s) 18)
transform plate boundary  Boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other.
(See page(s) 16)







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