(See related pages)
Below you will find key words and concepts that you should remember from this chapter.
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| asthenosphere | A region of Earth's outer shell beneath the lithosphere. The asthenosphere is of indeterminate thickness and behaves plastically. (See page(s) 12) |
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| continental drift | A concept suggesting that continents move over Earth's surface. (See page(s) 13, 17) |
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| convergent boundary | A boundary between two plates that are moving toward each other. (See page(s) 15) |
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| core | The central zone of Earth. (See page(s) 12) |
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| crust | The outer layer of rock, forming a thin skin over Earth’s surface. (See page(s) 12) |
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| data | Observations or measurements used by scientists to test hypotheses. |
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| divergent boundary | Boundary separating two plates moving away from each other. (See page(s) 14) |
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| 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) 19) |
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| erosion | The physical removal of rock by an agent such as running water, glacial ice, or wind. (See page(s) 16) |
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| hypothesis | A tentative theory. (See page(s) 17) |
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| igneous rock | A rock formed or apparently formed from solidification of magma. (See page(s) 16) |
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| isostatic adjustment | Concept of vertical movement of sections of Earth’s crust to achieve balance or equilibrium. (See page(s) 16) |
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| lithosphere | The rigid outer shell of Earth, 70 to 125 or more kilometers thick. (See page(s) 12) |
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| magma | Molten rock, usually mostly silica. The liquid may contain dissolved gases as well as some solid minerals. (See page(s) 14) |
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| mantle | A thick shell of rock that separates Earth’s crust above from the core below. (See page(s) 12) |
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| metamorphic rock | A rock produced by metamorphism. (See page(s) 16) |
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| mid-oceanic ridge | A giant mountain range that lies under the ocean and extends around the world. (See page(s) 14) |
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| 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) |
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| scientific method | A means of gaining knowledge through objective procedures. (See page(s) 17) |
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| 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) 19) |
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| 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) 19) |
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| subduction zone | Elongate region in which subduction takes place. (See page(s) 15) |
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| tectonic forces | Forces generated from within Earth that result in uplift, movement, or deformation of part of Earth’s crust. (See page(s) 12) |
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| theory | An explanation for observed phenomena that has a high possibility of being true. (See page(s) 12, 17) |
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| transform boundary | Boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other. (See page(s) 15) |