Across
- 2. The process in which one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, often leading to volcanic activity.
- 5. All the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and water vapor in the atmosphere.
- 7. The theory that continents had moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass.
- 9. The continuous process by which rocks are formed, broken down, and transformed into different types of rocks.
- 11. Layers of sedimentary rock that are formed over time, with newer layers deposited on top of older layers.
- 12. The maximum of number of a species that an environment can sustainably support.
- 14. A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, or move toward each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other.
- 15. This geological principle states that any geological feature that cuts across another feature is younger than the feature it cuts. This helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers and other geological events.
- 16. The global sum of all ecosystems; it contains all living organisms and their interactions with the spheres.
- 18. Materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment and can be used for economic gain, such as water, minerals, and fossil fuels
- 20. This principle states that layers of sediment are originally deposited in continuous sheets over large areas. If these layers are later disrupted, they will still maintain their original lateral continuity unless acted upon by external forces such as erosion or tectonic activity.
- 22. The layer of gas surrounding Earth, essential for weather and climate.
- 23. A tectonic plate boundary where two plates divide, or move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.
Down
- 1. A principle stating that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.
- 3. Rock that has been changed by heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids.
- 4. Rock formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava.)
- 6. A natural resource that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and timber.
- 8. A resource that cannot be replaced quickly enough to keep up with consumption, such as fossil fuels and certain minerals.
- 10. The rigid outmost layer of the Earth, composed of crust and upper mantle, where tectonic plates are found.
- 13. Convection in plate tectonics refers to the process by which heat from the Earth's interior causes the mantle material to circulate. Hot, less dense material rises toward the surface, while cooler, denser material sinks. This movement creates convection currents that drive the motion of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface.
- 17. The solid part of Earth, encompassing all of the rocks, minerals, and landforms, as well as the Earth's inner layers (such as the crust, mantle, and core.)
- 19. Rock formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.
- 21. A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally, which can cause earthquakes.