Earth Systems Vocabulary

Fresh Water

• naturally occurring water that contains little or no salt

• water that is high in salt content

• water that is artificially created

• water that is found only in oceans

Biosphere

• the Earth system that is composed of all the living things on Earth

• the layer of gases surrounding the planet

• the part of the Earth where water exists

• the region of the Earth that is inhabited by humans

Weathering

• the process of breaking down rock into smaller pieces

• the process of forming new rocks from minerals

• the process of transporting sediments to new locations

• the process of eroding soil and vegetation

Geosphere

• the Earth system that contains all the rocky layers of Earth

• the layer of gases surrounding the Earth

• the liquid layer of the Earth

• the Earth's magnetic field

Rain Shadow

• A phenomenon where rain falls on one side of a mountain, leaving the other side dry.

• A type of cloud formation that occurs during thunderstorms.

• A region that receives excessive rainfall throughout the year.

• A dry region on one side of a mountain that results from precipitation on the other side of the mountain removing moisture from clouds.

Biome

• a large region on Earth with a specific climate that contains certain species

• a small area with diverse wildlife

• a type of weather pattern

• a geological formation made of rocks

Air Mass

• a large body of air with similar temperature, air pressure, and moisture throughout

• a small pocket of air that varies in temperature and humidity

• a weather phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms

• a type of cloud formation that indicates rain

Air Pressure

• the weight of air pressing on all things beneath and within it

• the force exerted by the movement of air molecules

• the temperature of the air in a given area

• the amount of moisture in the air

Water Table

• the upper surface or level of groundwater

• the lowest point of a river

• the boundary between soil and bedrock

• the area where water collects underground

Aquifer

• An underground region of rocky material containing water that can be drawn out through a well

• A surface water body that stores rainwater

• A type of soil that retains moisture

• A man-made structure for storing water