Earth Science Chapter 5
Terms
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- Conic Projection
- a map projection made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a cone; it produces accurate maps of areas smaller than the whole Earth, such as a nation or a state.
- Contour Interval
- The difference in elevation between two side-by-side contour lines on a topographic map.
- Contour Line
- A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation.
- Equator
- An imaginary line, at 0° latitude, that circles Earth exactly halfway between the North and South Poles; separates Earth into the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.
- Fault-block mountains
- Jagged mountains formed from huge, tilted blocks of rock that are separated from surrounding rock by faults.
- Folded Mountain
- Mountains created when rock layers are squeezed from opposite sides, causing them to buckle and fold.
- International Date Line
- The 180° meridian, on the other side of Earth from the prime meridian; an imaginary line in the Pacific Ocean where we change calendar days.
- Landsat Satellite
- Satellite that collects information about Earth's surface by using a mirror to detect different wavelengths of reflected or emitted energy.
- Latitude
- A distance north or south of the equator, expressed in degrees.
- Longitude
- A distance east or west of the prime meridian, expressed in degrees.
- Map Legend
- The key on most maps that is used to explain what the symbols on the map mean.
- Map Scale
- The relationship between distances drawn on a map and actual distances on Earth's surface.
- Mercator projection
- A map-projection method using parallel longitude lines; continent shapes are accurate, but their areas are distorted.
- Plain
- A landform that is a large, relatively flat area; interior plains and coastal plains make up one-half the land area in the united States.
- Plateau
- Landforms created next to mountains, when forces within Earth raised high, relatively flat areas of nearly horizontal rocks.
- Prime Meridian
- An imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole, passing through Greenwich, England; the 0° reference line for longitude.
- Robinson projection
- A map-projection method using curved longitude lines; continent shapes and land areas are accurate with little distortion.
- Sonar
- The use of sound-wave echoes to detect the size and shape of structures found underwater.
- Topex-Poseidon Satellite
- Satellite that collects information about Earth's oceans by using radar.
- Topographic Map
- A map that uses contour lines to show changes in elevation at Earth's surface; shows natural features such as lakes and cultural features such as cities and dams.
- Upwarped mountains
- Mountains formed when Earth's crust is pushed up and eroded, forming sharp peaks and ridges.
- Volcanic Mountain
- Mountains created when magma within Earth escapes to the surface, building cones of lava and ash.