Unit 4 - Earth Systems and Resources

Front

What is albedo?

Back

Albedo is the measure of the reflectivity of a surface, expressed as a percentage. A higher albedo means more sunlight is reflected, while a lower albedo means more sunlight is absorbed.

Front

Which surface has the highest albedo?

Back

Snow on a mountain top has the highest albedo, reflecting most of the sunlight that hits it.

Front

What are hot spots in geology?

Back

Hot spots are volcanic regions thought to be fed by underlying mantle that is anomalously hot compared with the surrounding mantle.

Front

What natural phenomenon is associated with the warming of ocean surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific?

Back

El Niño is the natural phenomenon associated with the warming of ocean surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific.

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The Coriolis Effect is the deflection of moving objects (like air and water) caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Front

What is the primary energy source for ocean currents?

Back

The Sun's radiation is the primary energy source for ocean currents.

Front

What occurs at subduction zones?

Back

At subduction zones, one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle, leading to volcanic activity and earthquakes.

Front

What happens when two tectonic plates move parallel to each other?

Back

When two tectonic plates move parallel to each other, they can cause earthquakes when the built-up tension is released.

Front

What is the difference between divergent and convergent boundaries?

Back

Divergent boundaries occur where two tectonic plates move apart, while convergent boundaries occur where two plates collide.

Front

What is La Niña?

Back

La Niña is a climate pattern that describes the cooling of surface ocean waters along the tropical west coast of South America.