Social Studies Flashcards

Geography and Location

• Geography examines the Earth's physical structure, history, and the relationships among people, places, and things.
• Absolute location refers to a specific point on the globe, pinpointed by coordinates; it differs from relative location, which describes a place's location in relation to others.
• The Equator is an important imaginary line that divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.
• The Prime Meridian, running through the Royal Observatory in England, marks the starting point for measuring longitude.

Latitude and Longitude

• Latitude lines are parallel to the Equator and measure distance north or south.
• Longitude lines, on the other hand, run from the North Pole to the South Pole and measure distance east or west.

Tectonic Activity

• Plate tectonics refers to large, moving pieces of the Earth's crust that can cause earthquakes and volcanic activity.
• Understanding plate tectonics is essential for comprehending geological processes and earth's changing landscape.

Geological Terms

• Lava is molten rock expelled during a volcanic eruption, while magma is the molten rock found beneath the Earth's crust.
• The Earth's core is its innermost layer, situated at the center of the Earth.
• The mantle is a thick, solid rock layer surrounding the core, impacting geological dynamics and tectonic movements.

Continents and Geography Theories

• There are seven continents: Asia, Antarctica, Europe, Africa, Australia, North America, and South America.
• The continental drift theory, which explains the movement of continents, was proposed by Alfred Wegener.

Geographical Features

• The "Ring of Fire" is a region characterized by a circle of volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean, significant for its seismic and volcanic activity.
• Geological features include folds (bends in the Earth's crust) and faults (fractures or breaks in the crust), both critical in understanding Earth's geological structure.

Study of Earth

• Geology focuses on studying the Earth’s physical structure and history, while geography studies spatial relationships of places and environments.

Test your knowledge of key concepts in social studies with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential definitions and principles of geography, including absolute location and relationships between places. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of social studies topics.