Earth Science Vocabulary

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soil

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the loose material that covers much of the Earth's surface

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topsoil

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a mixture of weathered rock and humus, which is important for growing crops

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humus

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organic matter in soil (such as decayed plants and animals)

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rocks

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a natural solid made of one or more minerals

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igneous rocks

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formed from melted rock deep in the earth

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sedimentary rock

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are formed when mud, sand, and bits of rock pile up in layers under water

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metamorphic rock

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are formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks were exposed to great heat and pressure

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minerals

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solids found in nature that have a definite chemical makeup

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natural resource

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a material found on Earth that people use

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renewable resource

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resource that can be replaced within a person's lifetime