Earth Science: Extinction and Rock Processes

The process by which volcanoes erupt and release molten rock, ash, and gases.

A major extinction event where a significant portion of Earth's species die out in a relatively short period of time.

Rock formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments, which are small pieces of other rocks, minerals, and organic matter.

The process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces by forces like wind, water, and ice.

The process of moving weathered rock fragments from one place to another, usually by wind, water, or ice.

The outermost rigid layer of Earth, divided into tectonic plates that move over the Earth's mantle.

Giant pieces of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.

A gap or break in the geological rock record, often caused by erosion or periods of non-deposition, which can create a discontinuity in time.

A type of coal with the highest carbon content and heat output.

A type of coal with high carbon content but lower heat output than anthracite.

Places like riverbeds and streams where slow-moving water can deposit gold particles.

A type of coal.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is considered cleaner than other fossil fuels like coal and oil because it produces less carbon dioxide when burned.

Natural gas deposits are often found in areas of past volcanic or tectonic activity.

Nuclear power plants generate electricity through nuclear fission, a process where the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing energy.

Hydrocarbons are compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are the primary components of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas, are formed from the remains of ancient organisms that were buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

The remains of ancient organisms, such as plants and animals, are the source material for fossil fuels. These remains undergo transformation over millions of years.

Organic material refers to the remains of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

The process of transforming organic matter into fossil fuels involves burial, pressure, heat, and time, with specific conditions influencing the type of fossil fuel produced.

Uranium is a radioactive element used as the fuel for nuclear power plants. It releases energy through nuclear fission, a process where the atom's nucleus splits and releases tremendous energy.

Extinction events are periods in Earth's history when a large number of species die out in a relatively short amount of time. This can be caused by various factors such as asteroid impacts, volcanic eruptions, and climate change.

Mass extinctions have a significant impact on biodiversity, which is the variety of living organisms in a particular ecosystem or on the planet. A mass extinction reduces biodiversity by causing the extinction of many species.

Scientists can compare layers of rock by examining the fossils they contain. Fossils provide evidence of the types of organisms that lived at different periods of time, helping scientists understand how life on Earth has changed.

The principle that in undisturbed sequences of sedimentary rock, the oldest layers are at the bottom, and the youngest layers are on top.

The principle that a geological feature cutting through another feature must be younger than the feature it cuts.

A natural mineral occurring as sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly used for seasoning food.

The process of comparing rock layers from different locations to determine their relative ages and create a geological timeline.

A gap or break in the geological rock record, often caused by erosion or periods of non-deposition, creating a discontinuity in time.

It's not a natural resource, but a man-made material.

Rock layers above and below a disconformity are parallel to each other.