Earth Science Vocabulary

structure built across a river to control the flow of water

structures built on beaches that trap sand

flat piece of land at the mouth of a river that is triangle shaped

The record of an earthquakes strength or size.

an opening in Earth's surface that lets melted rock and gases escape

raised bank of sediment or rocks built along the edges of a river to prevent flooding

waves of energy that travel through the earth's crust during an earthquake

hill of sediment deposited when a glacier melts

The process of carrying away sediment.

hill of sand deposited by wind

structure that absorbs the pounding of ocean waves and protects buildings behind it.

a huge sheet of ice that moves slowly over land.

dropping of sediment by water, wind, or glaciers

A scientist who studies earthquakes.

melted rock inside the Earth

melted rock erupting from a volcano

shaking of the ground that happens when rock below ground breaks and moves suddenly

adding sand dug up from the ocean to rebuild a beach

flat area of land formed by sediment deposited by a river outside it banks

a force that pulls objects toward each other.

small pieces of rock and sand

allows rainwater to flow underground to nearby waterways

structure that sticks out into the ocean and blocks the ocean waves

Tool that measures and records seismic waves

The breaking down of rock near the Earth's surface.

break in the Earth's crust

A surface feature