Earth Science Terms

Front

volcano

Back

a mountain that forms in Earth's crust when molten material, or magma, reaches the surface

Front

Surface Wave

Back

A type of seismic wave that forms when P waves and S waves reach the earth's surface.

Front

Seismograph

Back

A device that records ground movements caused by seismic waves as they move through Earth.

Front

Delta

Back

Sediment deposited where a river enters an ocean or lake and its water stops flowing.

Front

Triangulation

Back

Using three distances waves travel to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake.

Front

sea arch

Back

an arch formed by wave erosion when caves on opposite sides of a headland unite

Front

Deposition

Back

where agents of erosion deposit, or lay down, sediment

Front

P Wave

Back

A type of seismic wave that compresses and expands the ground.

Front

soil

Back

The loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow

Front

S Waves

Back

A type of seismic wave that moves the ground up and down or side to side, perpendicular to the direction of the wave.