Earth Science Key Terms Quiz

Study Notes

Earth Science Key Terms

Equator
An imaginary line encircling the Earth, equidistant from the North and South Poles, forming a great circle.
Latitude
Imaginary parallel lines to the equator, measuring distance North and South from the equator.
Longitude
Imaginary great circles connecting the North and South Poles, perpendicular to the equator, measuring distance East and West from the Prime Meridian.
Prime Meridian
The meridian at 0° longitude, crossing through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England.
International Date Line
A longitudinal line marking the start of a new day, primarily located along the 180th meridian.
Topographic Map
A map displaying the surface features of an area, including terrain heights and landforms.
Contour Line
Lines on a topographic map indicating points of equal elevation across the landscape.
Contour Interval
The vertical distance in elevation between successive contour lines on a topographic map.
Map Scale
Symbols or ratios on a map used to measure actual distances between points.
Rule of V's
A principle indicating that contour lines crossing a stream form a V shape pointing uphill, with the water flow in the opposite direction of the V.
Topographic Profile
A side view representation of a section of a topographic map illustrating elevation changes across the landscape.
Polaris
The North Star, located directly above the North Pole, with its angle from the horizon equal to the observer's latitude.
Time Zones
Each 15 degrees of longitude corresponds to a one-hour time change; western movement decreases time while eastern movement increases time.
Elevation
The vertical measurement of distance above sea level.
Gradient
Represents the average slope, calculated as the change in field value divided by the distance between points.

Description

Test your knowledge of essential earth science terminology with this quiz. Covering concepts like latitude and longitude, equatorial measurement, and topographic mapping, it's perfect for enhancing your understanding of the subject. Challenge yourself and see how well you know the key terms!