The Dynamic Earth

A force in geology that makes minerals, rocks, and landforms. Click here to reveal the definition!

The theory that states the continents are in slow motion atop a semiliquid mantle. Click here to reveal the definition!

In climate studies, the movement of air masses from areas of high density to low density to low density due to temperature differences. Click here to reveal the definition!

Large-scale movement patterns of material due to differences in density. Click here to reveal the definition!

The effect of the Earth’s rotation that causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to bend to their right and winds in the Southern Hemisphere to bend to their left. Click here to reveal the definition!

Sections of the Earth’s crust Click here to reveal the definition!

An ocean current driven by differences in water temperature and differences in salt concentration of the water. Click here to reveal the definition!

A geologic force the breaks down landforms, rocks, and minerals. Click here to reveal the definition!

A large area of land in the southeastern United States that was formed over millions of years by rivers depositing sediment into the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to reveal the definition!

The solid central portion of the Earth. Click here to reveal the definition!

The solid portion of the Earth’s crust, the upper layer of the Earth. Click here to reveal the definition!

The layer of the Earth directly below the crust. Click here to reveal the definition!

The liquid portion of the interior of the Earth, beneath the lithosphere and mantle and above the solid inner core. Click here to reveal the definition!

The theory that the Earth’s lithosphere, or outermost layer, is composed of large plates that are in constant, slow movement due to enormous convection currents below the surface. Click here to reveal the definition!

The prevailing wind near the north and south poles. Click here to reveal the definition!

A steady wind current caused by a combination of north-south convection cells and the Coriolis effect. Click here to reveal the definition!

An ocean current caused by winds. Click here to reveal the definition!

The process by which deep oceanic convection currents are set in motion because of changes in the temperature and salinity of the water at the surface. Click here to reveal the definition!

The prevailing wind near the equator that blows from east to west. Click here to reveal the definition!

The prevailing wind in the midlatitudes that blows from west to east. Click here to reveal the definition!