CONCEPTS

 

A

B-C D-E F-G H-I L-M N-O P-Q R-S T-U V-W


 

A

 

absolute dating

accumulation

albedo

anomaly

anti-cyclone

astenosphere

azonal

archaean

ancient massifs

asteroid

atmostphere

air pressure

 

B-C

 

biogeography

biosphere

border surface

cyclone

circulation

continental crust

carbon dioxide

curves of islands

cainozoicum

compound

classification of climate

cloud

calcium sulphate

cataclysm

crust

conventional flow

converge

conventional flow of materials

coral

correlation

cosmic radiation

coat

central atmosphere

core

 

 

D-E

 

diving zone

drift boulder

devonian

dinosaurs

dolomite

diverting power

enlarging earth

exact

electromagnet waves

electromagnet spectrum

epirogenetic movements

eroded

erosion

eustraic transgression

evaporite

evaporation

exosphere

earthy circulation

earthquake

explosion like volcanoes

effusive volcanoes

 

 F-G

 

formation of precipitation

flora

felspar

folded mountains

formation of mountains

fossil

fumarolas

greenhouse effect

glaciation

geographical environment

geological setting of chronolgy

glacial sediment

global tectonics

gravitation

 

H-I

 

hot point

hydrosphere

humus

infrared

interglacial

isotop

ice age

 

  

L-M

 

lava

litosphere

limestone (calcium carbonate)

lower atmosphere

mineral coal

mesozoic

magma

magnetosphere

meteorite shower

microclimate

monsoon

mineral

mofettas

mixed type of volcanoes

 

N-O

 

nitrogen

oceanic crust

oceanic basins

oceanic plateau

oxygen

ozone

ozone layer

 

  

P-Q

 

Precambrian

photosynthesis

polar winds

petrification

permanent gases

precipitation

palaeozonic era

primeval atmosphere

palaeontology

PAL

palaeoclimatology

palaeo-magnetism

Pangea

Pleistocene

post activities

Quartz

 

 

R-S

 

relative dating

rock

solar radiation

self

seismology

silicate

solar climate

stratosphere

subduction

subductional zone

state of supercontinent

soil

sea current

sea sediment

sedimentary rocks

sulphur spring

shelf

source of energy

strongly changing gases

season

sandstone

secondary atmosphere

 

 

T-U

 

type of orbit

theory of supercontinent period

thermosphere

tillite

transgression

troposphere

tuff

temperature

temperature anomaly

upper atmosphere

ultraviolet radiation

 

 

V-W

 

volcano

wind

warming up

western winds

weather

 

 

 

Absolute dating

dating with the help of radioactive elements found in rocks with various methods. The basis of the method is the time during which radioactive elements break down. The various elements develop to stabile elements through different half-times. Half-time is the duration of time while the half of the radioactive element forms into a stabile condition. From the proportion of the radioactive and the stabile material we can deduce to the age of the given material

 

 

Accumulation

mechanical accumulation: accumulation of volcanic debris or rocks accumulated by rivers (pebble), glaciers and wind (dune)

 

 

Diving zone

along the flow of material the oceanic crust dives under the mainland lamella, than creates centres of volanoes and earthquakes while melting

 

 

Albedo

the measure of radiation’s reflection coming through the atmosphere in which the colour of the material has an outstanding role.

Calculation: ratio of the falling and the reflected amount of light

 

 

Permanent gases

gases of the atmosphere whose amount does not change for a long time. E.g. nitrogen, oxygen, noble gases. The amount of changing gases alters within a few years or decades. The most important ones are: carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen and ozone

 

 

lower atmosphere

the part of the atmosphere reaching 35 km from the surface including troposphere, tropopausa and stratosphere

 

 

anomaly

different from the ordinary

 

 

anti-cyclone

atmospheric formation of high pressure bordered with almost rounded isobar. Its movement on the northern hemisphere is from left to right, spirally branching. They are extensive. Because of their descending breeze they cause bright weather with sunshine. They move slowly

 

 

astenosphere

130-160 km thick melted soft region at the lower part of the upper earth coat. Can produce flowing changes of shape

 

 

mineral

materials building rocks, which are crystallised chemical compounds. They are homogeneous, natural building units of the crust. Can be characterised with formulae. Can be organised differently according to their qualities. Frequent ones: felspar, piroxene, quartz, amfibole, olivine, etc.

 

 

Azonal

falling out of geographical zonality

 

 

biogeography

the branch of biology dealing with the geological spreading of living beings

 

 

biosphere

the scene of life on earth. Includes those parts of the crust, air - and waters hell which are suitable for life and all the living beings there

 

 

cyclone

formation of atmospheric pressure in the inside of which pressure declines towards the middle. Its movement on the northern hemisphere is from right to left. Its formation is frequent

 

 

circulation

circulation of atmospheric flow, such way that the particle of air on the move does not return to its starting point

 

 

precipitation

air always contains more or less water. Precipitation is the firm or fluid water that quits water cooled under a certain level. They can be classed according to their development and physical condition. On the basis of the latter one, we can differentiate between fluid (dew, drizzle, downpour, cloudburst, permanent rain) and firm precipitation (snow, frost, hoarfrost, etc.). according to the place of their coming to exist, there is falling and that along the ground.

 

 

Solar radiation

source of energy coming from the Sun and causing a key factor of the atmospheric phenomena. Radiation coming from the sun is a sequence of rays of different wave length. The length of the medium rays is 0.36-0.78 micron. These are rays of light, those falling into shorter wave length are the ultraviolet rays, the longer ones are the infrareds. Besides the radiation of light, temperature radiation is significant as well, and the expansion of energy in coruscular radiation is bound to material particles.

 

 

Nitrogen

colourless, odourless gas. 75.5 % of the air’s weight and 78.8 % of its capacity. 16 % of proteins is nitrogen. Does not support oxidation

 

 

oceanic plateau

its sizes change but on an average 10000 km long, 1000-4000 m wide, 2-4 km high eminences from the ocean’s bed. Magma flows from its central gorges

 

 

oceanic crust

heavier than the continental crust, forming a thin layer on the surface of the earth’s coat

 

 

oceanic basins

mostly levelled surfaces surrounded with smaller and bigger tresholds on which wavy shape, hills are situated. These hills are of volcanic origin.

 

 

Palaeozonic era

began 590 million years ago and ended 240 million years ago. Abrupt  evolution of the fauna. The appearance of terrestrial plants and vertebral animals

 

 

oxygen

a gas somewhat thicker than air. Essential for most living beings. 20.93% of the air’s volume and 23.14 % of its weight. Formation: photosynthesis and reductional chemical processes. 46.6% of the elements of the earth’s crust, 85.9% of the hydrosphere’s weight

 

 

ozone

oxygen of three atoms. Is present in the upper part of the atmosphere: ozonosphere. Blue gas with typical smell. Has a big role filtering the elements of solar radiation harmful for living beings

 

 

ozone layer

ozonosphere. The part of the atmosphere in 20-50 km height containing ozone. Its temperature reaches 60 Celsius degrees. Especially important for life on earth because it filters most of the ultraviolet rays

 

 

Archaean

era relating to the history of earth. From the formation of earth until 2500 million years ago

 

 

primeval atmosphere

the primeval atmosphere which came into existence at the time of the Earth’s  creation was significantly different from that of today’s. Gases as result of volcanic activity had a role in its formation.: nitrogen, water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia and methane. The concentration of oxygen was only 0.1 % of today’s

 

 

palaeontology

a branch of science dealing with animals that lived in the past of the earth’s history

 

 

fossil

laptified remnants of plants and animals that lived in the ancient times

 

 

ancient massifs

those parts of the continents which were rolled already in the Archaean and by the Precambrian they were abandoned. They are of high stability; the lack of volcanity and tectonic disorders. They rise mildly since the Algonkian. Can be both covered and uncovered. If they are sediments of geological eras, e.g. flood of sea they could set on the surface and did not devastate, so the ancient massif is covered

 

 

zone

climatic category of the highest level. According to Trewartha, we can differentiate between four climatic zones: tropical, subtropical, temperate and cold

 

 

PAL

the relative quantity of a given gas element of the atmosphere in a given moment is expressed in the percentage of the level of today’s atmosphere. The relation always follows the present level. Present Atmospheric Level

 

 

palaeoclimatology

deduction to the past climate from the animals, plants, variations of soil and from other sings

 

 

palaeo-magnetism

magnetism in rocks and in some minerals is traceable tot he induction of the earth’s magnetic field in the age when rocks and minerals were formed

 

 

type of orbit

the type of spaceship’s and satellite’s orbit is settled while shaping the flight-plan due to the mission. If the orbit is in the plane of the Equator it is equatorial, if it is perpendicular to the Equator it goes through the poles on a polar orbit. The orbit enclosing an angle less than 90 degrees with the plane of the Equator is direct, the orbit of the opposite direction is retrograde. The direct type of orbit is the most advantageous  because as a result of the earth’s rotation, the flying objects gain extra speed

 

 

Pangea

unite proto-continent in Wegener’s theory on wandering of continents. Developed at the end of the Carboniferous and in the beginning of the Perm with the joining of Gondwana and Laurasia. Its dividing started around the beginning of the Mesozoic era. The disjoining of Pangea is the beginning of the formation of today’s continents

 

 

Pleistocene

previously called Alluvium, lower period of the Quaternary. Formation of today’s vegetation and fauna, evolution into human. Changing of glacial and free-of-ice periods. Characteristic formations: loess, sand drift, morena. Stages: lowest Pleistocene (2,4 - 1.8 million years), lower Pleistocene (1.8 - 0.8 million years), middle Pleistocene (0.8 - 0.3 million years), upper Pleistocene (0.3 million years - 10200)

 

 

relative dating

does not tell the time when the given rock was formed, only a comparative data. We can make a chronology of rocks or follow the course of an event. Used when there is no possibility for absolute dating

 

 

self

it is the same as the continental shelf, which is the continent’s border under seas and reaches from the coast continental slope reaching to the strongly leaning deep-sea

 

 

continental crust

the rock lamellas forming continents are sometimes thicker than 40 kilometres and they are floating on top of the earth’s coat

 

 

seismology

branch of geophysics dealing with earthquakes: observation, registration, evaluation

 

 

wind

mass of air floating above the surface of earth, parallel with it and horizontally that goes from the place with higher air  pressure towards the area with lower air pressure. Its direction can be characherised which always means the cardinal point from which it blows. Its strength can be setted with the Beaufort wind scale. Its building and destroying work is deflation and eolic accumulation. Its moisture content, temperature and fluctuation can be given as well

 

 

carbon dioxide

most important component of the Venus’s and Mars’s atmosphere. In the case of the Earth its conventration  is little since as a result of chemical and biological processes most part of it gets into sedimentary rocks where it is stored in the form of coal carbonates. Gas with greenhouse effect, the concentration in the air grows due to human activity. Most important cause of global warming

 

 

curves of islands

firstly comprised of volcanoes emerging as a result of the heating of the diving lamella

 

 

silicate

95% of the earth’s crust. Can be classified due to their structure. SiO4 tetrahedron - groups: they can be differentianted according  to their size and way of connection: sorosilicates, cycosilicates, nezosilicates, phillosilicates, inosilicates, teclosil

 

 

solar climate

theoretical climate, it would characterise the Earth if it was of homogeneous surface and a perfect globe and would be without atmosphere. Only solar radiation would determine climate

 

 

stratosphere

part of the atmosphere reaching 35 km high from the tropopause. Biatomic oxygen molecules unite into triatomic, i.e. ozone. Its temperature rises, formation of clouds happens only in an extreme case. Extremely low content of steam. Strong horizontally movement, the speed of wind may reach 360 km/h. Jet streams  are found here. The composition of the air does not change but the quantity of the air’s components per unit volume is significantly fewer than in lower regions of the troposphere

 

 

subduction

change of the earth’s structure while the oceanic lamella dives under another lamella along a slanting plate

 

 

subductional zone

the area where of two meeting lamellas one dives under the other. Formation of deep-sea-troughs

 

 

state of supercontinent

when the scattered continents united into the supercontinent of Pangea and after its breaking into pieces, the present state was formulated

 

 

theory of supercontinent period

according to this theory the unity of continents into a supercontinent and its breaking into pieces is a cylcic process

 

 

enlarging earth

theories of expansion. The development of earth is orogenezis, tectogenezis, volcanism and further phenomenon happening in the crust and on the surface, the main reason is the enlarging of the earth. Main representatives : László Egyed, C. Gilberg, H. Termier, W. H. Ramsey, etc.

 

 

soil

the crust’s outer, loose cover, the determiner of plants’ fertility. With the joint of geological and atmospheric realtions, the living world creates it

 

 

remote sensing

we can get extra information we cannot gain directly with our organs of sense. It is comprised of collecting data with special instruments and processing-interpretation. Used mainly for the permanent survey of the natural resources and the evaluation of their changes

 

 

sea current

constant movement of water directed by the earth’s rotation and the coasts of continents being a result of constant system of winds and the drifting effect of sea water. Sea currents are usually closed systems; its hot and cold variations occur complementing each other

 

 

sea sediment

sediment settled in sea. Can be organic sediment of a material from mainland. According to depth of sea we can divide between shallow- and deep-sea sediments

 

 

thermosphere

part of the atmosphere between 82-500 km. The composition of material changes slowly, oxygen and nitrogen is present in great quantities but only in form of isolated molecules. Its temperature rises: 70 Celsius degrees on 100 km. Contains many ionized layers, these are very important in listening-in

 

 

tillite

hardened morena-marl from the glaciation of the Pleistocene

 

 

transgression

the advancing of sea, flooding of bigger areas of continents. The reason might be a rise of sea level or slow sinking of a continent

 

 

troposphere

the atomosphere’s lower, thick part reaching to approximately 12 km. Formation of clouds and precipitation. Upper border: tropopausa. The direction of motions of air is vertical or horizontal. 4/5th of the atmosphere’s weight

 

 

tuff

develops from the volcanic ash getting to the surface. Its granulation is very altering, moreover volcanic bombs get into the basic material. Since its porous structure, it is light and is considered to be soft among rocks. (easy to hew - wine cellars of Tokaj)

 

 

Cainozoicum

began 654 million years ago

 

 

ultraviolet radiation

steak of solar radiation shorter than 3 micrometer, upper-atmospheric ozone mostly absorbs it.  Its growing strength is a danger for the bisophere

 

 

post activities

after its cooling the volcano still provides different materials  in a somewhat more peaceful form. Gases of various materials and temperature and water might rush even million years after the extinction of the volcano

 

 

sedimentary rocks

the rock developed mostly in seas disintegrated by decaying than utilized rock while decomposition. Division: 1. Detric sedimentary (classical) rock 2. Chemical sedimentary rock 3. Organic sedimentary rock

 

 

greenhouse effect

phenomenon based on air’s ability of accumulation of heat. Its essence is that the atmosphere lets short wave rays well through the surface swallows them and so heats up. The heated surface lets out long wave radiation because of its cooler temperature. Greenhouse effect is caused not by the material of air itself but its content of steam and other materials (e.g. CO2)

 

 

changing gases

gases of the atmosphere the amount of which changes within a few years and decades. Carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, ozone

 

 

drift boulder

in the ice age the ice put down the huge pieces of rocks carried on the surface and inside while melting

 

 

compound

molecules in the compounds are built up of atoms of various elements. Extremely various molecules may develop from about 90 varieties of atoms

 

 

volcano

the place, form or creation where the material of magma reaches the surface. Types: stratovolcanoes, lava-columns, lava-cones, swelling-cones, shield-volcanoes. There are active and dead volcanoes. Most of them are found at the weakness-belts of Earth at low geographical latitudes.

 

 

mud volcanoes

might occur near active volcanoes as well. Their material: water emerging from volcanoes plus ash, this results in mud, bubbled by emerging gases.

 

 

Sulphur spring

besides steam chemicals of sulphur, mostly hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide emerges. Got its name after the Italian Slofatrata Crater. Often great quantities of sulphur separates out at these areas

 

 

fumarolas

emerging of gas polluted by various chemicals. If temperature is lower, thermal springs develop

 

 

mofettas

emerging of carbon dioxide. If it is mixed with water, acid-waters develop. In Transylvania it is called acidulous water, in the mountains of Mátra : „csevice”

 

 

explosion like volcanoes:

produce few lava but much steam and gas. These run out from the funnel like an explosion whirling ash and pieces of rock with. Sometimes they explode the volcanic crater, creating calderas.

e.g. Cracatau, Volcano, Mt. Pelée

 

 

effusive volcanoes:

produce lava only, no explosion, ash

e.g. Hawaii

 

 

mixed type of volcanoes:

produce materials of both type. Volcanic activity begins with explosion of steam and gas followed by throwing of debris and ends in overflow of lava. In the building volcanic cone layers of tuff and lava vary, stratovolcanoes

e.g. Vesuv, Etna, Stromboli

 

 

shelf:

developed in rivers, lakes, seas right under the surface of water which might get above the surface with the decrease of sea level. Types: rock, sand, coral; belt-shelf, island-shelf, barring-shelf

 

 

Formation of precipitation

Precipitation is water of fluid or firm physical condition coming to being through the condensation of the air’s proportion of water reaching the surface of the earth. Both three physical conditions of water can be found in the atmosphere. When the temperature of the air decreases under a certain degree, it becomes oversaturated and a part of its steam is deposited. In the case of surface precipitation the deposition occurs directly at the surface of objects ( hoarfrost, frost, dew). Creation of precipitation is preceded by clouding. The cooling of air might have various reasons. In the case of conventive creation of rainfall hot air cools while the steam is moving upwards. In the case of orographic creation of precipitation the warming up - and at the same time cooling down - of air is forced by the terrain. Advecitve precipitation is created when air has a scrubbing movement on warm front.

 

 

Devonian

The middle era of the earth’s history. Got its name after the typical rocks found in Devon county, England.

 

 

Dinosaurs

Ancient carnivore or herbivore reptiles living between the Triassic and the Cretaceous pursuing a continental way of life. Their skin might have been armoured of flat. Their size is extremely differing from the size of a cat to huge variations reaching the height of 30 m.

 

 

Dolomite

Thick or grainy rock developing mainly from coral limestone comprised of dolomite minerals. Many varieties might develop through regional metamorphoses. It is named after  Dolomien, a French mineralogist. It creates whole ranges in the Alps.

 

 

Classification of climate

Classification on the basis of different aspects help the orientation within the earth’s various climates. The Greeks carried out the first classification - they set the climatic zones on the basis of parallels.  The basis of Köppen’s classification is temperature and rainfall, Trewartha takes the qualities of air into consideration. The latter one differentiates between 16 climatic zones: 1. tropical rainforest, 2. savannah, 3. tropical dry savannah, 4. cool coastal desert, 5. subtropical steppe, 6. mediterranean, 7. subtropical with wet summer, 8. oceanic with mild winter, 9. wet continental with long hot season, 10. wet continental with short hot season, 11. temperate zonal steppe, 12. temperate zonal desert, 13. oceanic sub-polar, 14. continental sub-polar, 15. tundra, 16. permanent frost.

 

 

Exact

Precise, unambiguous, clearly defined

 

 

Electromagnet waves

Created by smoothly changing electric and magnetic field. Light is also an electromagnet wave. Their quality is characterized by their length. Remarkable electromagnet waves are: x-ray, infrared, radio wave.

 

 

Electromagnet spectrum

The whole of electromagnet rays of different wavelength give the electromagnet spectrum. Vibrations of the longest wavelength are D.C. and A.C., shorter ones are radio waves followed by infrared and the domain of visible light. Visible lights are a small part of the spectrum. We see rays of different length as different colours. Wavelength of x-ray and ultraviolet are even shorter.

 

 

Glaciation

Extension of the polar ice and glacier in certain geological eras to those areas which are permanently without ice.

 

 

Precambrian

The geological era before the Cambrian

 

 

Diverting power

(Coriolis power) diverting power occuring due to the earth’s notion as a result of which movements on the northern hemisphere swing out to the right, on the southern to the left.

 

 

Epirogenetic movements

Short-process movements not charging the structure of the crust and expanding to great areas and are of great importance from the point of view of the development of geological shell. Modify the arrangement of oceans and mainlands together with the earth’s expansion.

 

 

Eroded

Carried down and devastated by erosion

 

 

Erosion

Surface creating activity of external powers (water, river, rain, wind, ice, etc...)

 

 

Source of energy

The whole of available natural source of raw materials and means of production of economic life

 

 

Strongly changing gases

Those gases of the atmosphere the amount of which might change significantly within a few days. E.g.: steam, carbon dioxide, ammonia and sulphur dioxide

 

 

Eustraic transgression

Raising of the world’s sea level caused by melting of ice sheet or a decrease of the oceans’ capacity

 

 

Evaporite

Those materials created by evaporation (anhydrite, salt)

 

 

Evaporation

Separation of material through steaming or evaporation (separating of salt from sea water)

 

 

Season

The period determined by notable geological dates emerging as a result of the earth’s revolving round the Sun and the skewness of the earth’s axis. E.g.: in the northern temperate zone the 21th March is the beginning of spring, 22th of June the beginning of summer, 23th of September the beginning of autumn, 22 th  December the beginning of winter.

 

 

Exosphere

Name of the upper atmosphere’s part above 500 km which is extremely thin but still contains atomic oxygen and nitrogen. Its temperature is the same as that of the thermosphere. Can be divided into three sub-groups: heliosphere, protonosphere, magnetosphere.

 

 

Cloud

Mass of small waterdrops and or ice crystals floating in the atmosphere. Its form around the soil is called fog.

 

 

Warming up

The rise of the atmosphere’s average temperature and its expanding through the whole earth due to human activity. Mainly caused by the use of fossile fuels.

 

 

Upper atmosphere

The part of the atmosphere above 82-500 km the part of which are: E layer, thermosphere, F1 layer, F2 layer, tropopausa, plus the exosphere above 500 km. Nitrogen and oxygen are still the most significant gases in the thermosphere having many ionized layers. Aurora borealis is created here as well

 

 

Flora

Vegetation; the mass of a given area’s or geological era’s plants

 

 

Hot point

From the deeper layers of the earth’s coat the magma flows up to the bottom of the litosphere in form of pillar or cylinder. 60-120 km is its diameter. More than a thousand km long. Usually exists at one place for longer period: (more than 10 million years) e.g.: Afar triangle, Iceland, Hawaii Islands, etc.)

 

 

Photosynthesis

The process in which plants create compounds essential for their growth and multiplication with the help of the sunlight’s energy from water and carbon dioxide. Its other important product is oxygen gas emitted by plants into the air.

 

 

Earthy circulation

Three main systems of wind joining each other give its base. These are the system of trade winds, western winds and polar winds.

 

Trade winds:

Around the 25th latitude of the northern and southern hemisphere a zone of high pressure is situated which is a starting point of trade winds. Trade winds move with a speed of 6 m/s as an average. On the northern hemisphere they blow towards the Equator first from a northern, then from a north-western direction.

 

 

Western winds:

They succeed on both hemispheres between the 30th and 60th latitude. their impetus are on the one hand the jet streams waving quickly in the upper border of the troposphere the speed of which is 350 km/h. their direction is western-like but wriggle since the unevenness of the earth. The deeping curls of wriggle create cyclones and anti-cyclones.

 

 

Polar winds:

Rule the areas close to the poles, the reason of their development is thermal. The cooled air flows to southern and northern direction but as a result of the elusive power their direction becomes north-eastern and eastern, and south-eastern and eastern. Periodically blowing winds (monsoon) and local winds (coastal wind, föhn, mountain - valley wind)

 

 

Felspar

The most important group of minerals grouping the earth’s crust in 60-65 % : they are anhydrous alkaline or lime - aluminium - silicates. Their diversity is based on the fact that they develop in high and low temperature

 

 

Geographical environment

The environment surrounding all living beings including natural and artificial objects of the environment

 

 

Earthquake

Concomitant of the crust’s movements. According to their reasons they can be divided into three groups: 90% of the quakes is of tectonic origin and on average - these are the biggest and most destroying ones. 7% can be attributed to volcanic origin and finally 3%  is “sinking quake” the result of falling in of under-surface hollows and caves. The power of the quake is measured with magnitude scale and Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg scale of 12 degrees of earthquake.

 

 

Geological setting of chronolgy

The history of the earth is connected to geological time - schedule. This eases the dating and grouping of rocks, minerals and fossils. The periods and eras are named after the territory where their first discovery is connected or after their characteristic formations (Cretaceous, Carboniferous)

 

 

Calcium sulphate

Salt-material separated out from sea mineral forming layers and rocks. It is created by secondary formation where sulphide minerals oxidize and Ca is present. Its structure is monoclinic, prismal and layer-bar like. Its crystals are mostly board-like, have the shape of a prism or a needle, frequently macles. Translucent of viteous lustre, colorless, yellowish or whitish

 

 

Glacial sediment

Material transported and deposited by ice. Can be divided further into moraine material deposited by ice itself and into glacio-fluvial sediment settling from melted water.

 

 

Global tectonics

According to the theory today’s continents belonged to the ancient continent called Pangea. This ancient continent was situated on the southern hemisphere in the first half of the Palaeozoic era. At the end of this era the continent was disjointed and its pieces were floating away. The creator f the theory is Alfred Wegener. Continents and oceans are made up of pieces of lamellas moving off or approaching. These might dive each other, slip next to each other in the presence of strong tectonical accompanying processes (eartquakes, magmatism, etc.). The followers of the theory of wandering continents share the opinion that the mountain ranges of Earth were rolled up by the melting and crashing of rock lamellas and they played a significant role in the development of island curves. The existence of the once unite Continent is proved by the fact that at the borders of the diversion rock of same age and qualities were found.

 

 

Gravitation

General gravitation showing itself in the fact that any body shows an inverse rating of direct pull with the square of their distance

 

 

Folded mountains

Type of mountains developed with the rolling and emerging of sedimentary rocks

 

 

Border surface

The border dividing the crusts in the earth’s layered structure. Many surfaces of this kind can be showed with seismic researches which are indicators of the changes in materials inside the earth. Some properties of the earthquake waves change on the surface, e.g. their speed. There are strongly and weakly appearing surfaces. The powerful ones are: Mohororovicic (30 km), Gutenberg - Wiechert (2900 km); weaker ones are: Conrad (15 km), Repetti (986 km), Lehmann - surface (5100 km)

 

 

Formation of mountains

Orogenezis: the process of the earth’s structure while mountains roll up and rise

 

 

Hydrosphere

The earth’s water cover including seas, inland waters, under-surface waters in all three physical conditions

 

 

Sandstone

Sand strengthened with matrix. On the basis of the matrix’s classification, there are clay-bearing, ferriferous, pedocal, etc. Porous, so it is a great storer-rock. It can have various colours

 

 

Temperature

One of the megascopic sentinels of material characterizing thermal condition. Has various units of measure: Celsius degree, Kelvin degree, Reaumur degree, Fahrenheit degree

 

 

Temperature anomaly

The difference between the monthly, daily or annual average temperature of the parallel counted from radiation data. According to whether the deviation is negative or positive, we speak about negative and positive temperature anomaly. Temperature anomaly might be a result of the closeness of seas, hot sea-currents; negative temperature anomaly a result of distance from seas, cold sea-currents and local factors: height, surface, etc.

 

 

Humus

Dark coloured, colloidal organic matter mixture of soil

 

 

Weather

Set state of the atmosphere’s physical properties and processes in a given place through a shorter period ( a few hours or days)

 

 

Infrared

A domain of magnet rays in the magnet spectrum. Also called radiation of heat

 

 

Interglacial

A longer period of hot climate between two glacials

Ionosphere

The part of the atmosphere being above the stratosphere in ionized condition and leading electricity. Can be caused by natural, ultra-violet, x-ray, cosmic, neutron or other ray. Its indexes: 1. thickness, 2. height from the earth. Van Allen zones can be counted to ionosphere.  Temperature is rising, can be thousands of Celsius degree

 

 

Isotop

The nucleus of elements contain protons and neutrons. The number of protons is the same in each atoms of a given element but the number of neutrons might differ. The elements with different number of neutron but the same number of proton are called the isotops of an element

 

 

Ice age

A period in the history of the earth when the otherwise non-glaciated areas were covered with inland ice sheets and glaciers. Its reasons are to be searched in the changes of climate. Witnesses are glacigen sediments, striae. No overwhelming theory of their development

 

 

Cataclysm

Terrible natural disaster

 

 

Crust

The earth’s crust stretches between the surface of continents, oceans, seas and the Moho surface. Its average thickness: 30-40 cm. The upper part’s thickness is like that of granite and granodiorite: 2,8 g/cm3 , the lower part is like plateau - basalt: 3,0 g/cm3 . the crust is the thickest under cordilleras (50-70 km). Basic types: oceanic, sub-continental (transitional), continental

 

 

Asteroid

The smallest lamps of the solar system. The biggest asteroid is Ceres, with a diameter of only 700 km. At present there are about 2000 asteroids recorded. Most of them revolve on the orbit between Mars and Jupiter around the Sun

 

 

Conventional flow

Flow of the material about 100-600 km deep in the earth’s coat because of the difference in temperature and density. Has an important role in the movement of rock lamellas

 

 

Converge

Bend towards each other, unite; advance towards the same aim, goal

 

 

Conventional flow of materials

The heat of the earth’s core induces heat in the material of the earth’s coat. The flowing material heats up, spreads on the surface, than sinks again. The flow of materials whirls along the rock lamellas

 

 

Coral

Thalloid animals of firm shell living in hot, shallow seas. They build huge cliffs and shelves

 

 

Correlation

Mutuality, mutual relation; depending on each other, correspondence to each other

 

 

Cosmic radiation

Flow of elementary particles of great energy and charge in cosmic area

 

 

Coat

Reaches from the Moho surface (30 km) to the Gutenberg - Wiechert surface (2900 km)

 

 

Mineral coal

Flammable sedimentary rock of organic origin. Brown or black containing a maximum 30% of  inflammable constituent. Originate in hot and wet climate from the plants of paludal forests. While decomposition lignite, brown coal, coal and blind coal come into existence. Carbonization can happen only under the top-layers, closed form air through a long time. Coal developed in Carboniferous, brown coal in Triassic

 

 

Petrification

Petrified fossil

 

 

Mesozoic

Era relating to the history of the earth; the medial stage in the development of life, began 240 million years ago, ended 65 million years ago. Further division: Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous

 

 

Central atmosphere

Mezosphere, the part of the atmosphere falling between 50-85 km. Ozone layer is found at its lower part that filters the rays of Sun harmful for living beings

 

 

Rock

Mineral group of great mass having a leading role in the building of the earth’s crust. On the basis of their mineral composition there are: homogeneous (limestone, calcium sulphate) and complex rocks (granite). On the basis of their origin: magmatic, sedimentary, metamorph. More than 90% of the surface rocks are of the five main types: 1. snakestone, 2. limestone, dolomite, 3. sandstone, 4. basaltic rocks, 5. granitoids

 

 

Quartz

Comprising 28% of the surface of rocks, built up of prismal crystals having mass appearance or crypto-crystal structure, having various colours and nuances, magmatic mineral forming rocks

 

 

Lava

Melting of rock reaching the surface while volcanic eruption. The chemical composition of the magma and the lava is the same still rocks originating from them differ since the different circumstances of their cooling down. Their temperature: 1000-1300 Celsius degree. Stiffing quickly becomes affusive rock blistery, rich in gas

 

 

Atmostphere

The earth’s gas cover. Its mass and thickness is fewer than the other spheres of earth. The uppermost border of its extension is about 36.000 km where molecules can step to the cosmic space but the atmospherical composition is quite varied up to this point. Basic gases, guest gases and dirt have an important role in its composition of material. Basic gases: oxygen, nitrogen; noble gases: argon, krypton, xenon, neon, helium, radon, hydrogen. Guest gases: ozone, carbon dioxide, steam. Dirt: powder, salt crystals, smoke, ash, soot, pollen, backteria. 99% of the atmosphere’s mass is in the lower area of 80 km

 

 

Air pressure

Weight of a column of air of a surface of a unit, the value of which on sea level is 1033 g/cm2  (1 atmosphere)

 

 

Litosphere

The earth’s outer, stiff belt of rocks. The earth’s crust and the coat’s upper, stiff layer

 

 

Core

The earth’s central area under a depth of 2900 km. Can be divided into two: inner and outer core, probably in a depth of 5100 km. Probably of solar material

 

 

Magma

Melting of rock inside the earth containing steams and gases emerging towards the surface under pressure. Main components are these eight oxides: potassum oxide, sodium oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, ferro-oxide, ferri-oxide, aluminium oxide, silicon oxide. Other elements are water and evaporative materials. Can be grouped on the basis of depth as well. The outer rocks have a great pressure on the magma. The magma’s temperature is 650-900 Celsius degree

 

 

Magnetosphere

One of the regions of the exosphere. The movement of its electric elements is based on the earth’s magnetic field

 

 

Secondary atmosphere

About 3,5 billion years ago the Earth lost its primary atmosphere of solar origin ( H2 and noble gases). Then the secondary atmosphere developed from gases of volcanic activity (H2O, SO2, N, CO, CO2, NH3, CH4). The origin of atmospheric oxygen is not volcanic but photo-dissociational and biogene

 

 

Limestone (calcium carbonate)

Sedimentary rock of calcium carbonate minerals (calcite, aragonite)

 

 

Meteorite shower

Solid particles revolving in the solar system the size of which might differ, occasionally they get to the earth’s atmosphere. When the earth crosses a pack of meteor creating a cloud, more meteors than usual light in the atmosphere, this is the meteorite shower

 

 

Microclimate

Close to the ground level, in smaller given regions, developing of particular conditions, essentially the climate of a micro-area. In comparison with the macroclimate, there are great differences in temperature, relative moisture content and other areas

 

 

Monsoon

The uneven heating of sea and mainland causes difference of air pressure causing motion of air; practically an 180 degree change in the wind’s direction. Winter and summer variations of it. In winter blows from the direction of the mainland, above the continent its air pressure is high, above the ocean its air pressure is low. In summer the contrary is true