Term | Definition |
uniformatarianism | forces active now, have always been active |
cataclysm | a violent upheaval or change in the earth's crust, especially a flood |
atmosphere | covering of air that surrounds our planet |
lithosphere | solid part of the earth |
hydrosphere | water on the earth's surface |
crust | outer skin of the earth |
mantle | hot, plastic, liquid stuff |
core | divided into liquid outer core and solid innner core |
continents | main landmasses of the earth |
islands | landmasses surrounded by water |
continental islands | large islands that are really attached to continents, but have water over the land, thus, seperating the two |
oceanic islands | rise from ocean floor |
landform | every variation in the landscape |
mountain range | clump of mountains together |
plains | wide areas of level land |
alluvium | sediments and water and deposits brought from mountains by rivers |
plateaus | relatively flat land, but rise abruptly from the surrounding lands |
world ocean | all the oceans flow into each other |
tributaries | rivers that "feed" off of other rivers |
river system | main river and all its tributaries |
drainage basin | total land area drained by the main river and its tributaries |
navigable rivers | carry goods from their distant sources to coastal cities |
lakes | bodies of water fully enclosed by land |
seas | arms of the ocean partially enclosed by land |
harbor | sheltered body of deep water next to the shore |
wetlands | areas of stagnant water |
bogs | spongy areas that look dry but are covered with wet organic materials |
marsh | small plants |
swamps | large trees |