Geography Ch 2-3 review

uppermost layer of the Earth that includes the crust, continents, and ocean basins

chemical or physical processes that break down rocks into smaller pieces

two days on which the sun is directly above the Equator, making day and night equal in length

process by which oceanic plates dive beneath continental plates, often causing mountains

cold or warm stream of seawater that flows in the oceans, generally in circular pattern

process of excess water vapor changing into liquid water when warm air cools

Thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth

process of converting liquid into vapor, or gas

wind blowing in a region that blows in a fairly constant directional pattern

term scientists use to describe activities of continental drift and magma flow

major type of ecological community defined primarily by distinctive plants/animals

process by which magma wells up between oceanic plates and pushes the plates apart

weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time

underground water-bearing layers of porous rock, sand, or gravel

part of a continent that extends out underneath the ocean

The water areas of the Earth (oceans, lakes, rivers, etc)

theory that the continents were once joined and drifted apart

movement of Earth's water from ocean to air to ground and back to the ocean

permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground

frequently windless area near the Equator

slow process in which an oceanic plate slides under a continental plate

innermost layer of the Earth

the part of the Earth where life exists

day on which the sun's rays strike directly on the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn

condition of the atmosphere during a short period of time

process of cracking that occurs when the folded land cannot be bent any further

removal of salt from seawater to make it usable for drinking and farming

Piles of rocky debris left by melting glaciers

inland grassland area

the Earth's yearly trip around the sun

large body of ice that moves across the surface of the Earth

movement of weathered rock and material by wind, glaciers, and moving water

Molten rock that is located below Earth's surface