Science Vocabulary

Unit C Chapter 8

(26 words)

abyssal plain – the vast flat lands beyond the continental shelf that cover almost half of the deep ocean floor

acid rain – moisture that falls to Earth after being mixed with wastes from burned fossil fuels

alternative energy source – a source of energy other than the burning of a fossil fuel

aquifer – an underground layer of rock or soil filled with water

basin – the floor of an ocean, containing mountains, valleys, and plains

biomass – energy from plant matter or animal waste

continental rise – a buildup of sediment on the sea floor at the bottom of the continentalslope.  It is a zone of sand and mud that stretches from the slope down to the deep-sea floor.

continental shelf – the underwater edge of a continent

continental slope – the steep slope leading down from the continental shelf toward the sea floor

current – an ocean movement; a large stream of water that flows in the ocean

desalination – getting fresh water from seawater

fossil fuel – a fuel formed from the decay of ancient forms of life

geothermal energy – Earth’s internal energy

groundwater – precipitation that seeps into the ground and is stored in tiny holes, or pores, in the soil and rocks

mid-ocean ridge – chain of mountains that wind along all the world’s major oceans

nonrenewable resource – a resource that cannot be replaced within a short period of time or at all

ozone layer – a layer of ozone gas in the atmosphere that screens out much of the Sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays

renewable resource – a resource that can be replaced in a short period of time

reservoir – a storage area for fresh water supplies

seamount – a huge underwater volcanic mountain that may emerge from the ocean surface as an island

smog – a mixture of smoke and fog

spring – a place where groundwater seeps out of the ground

trench – a deep valley in the sea floor

water cycle – the continuous movement of water between Earth’s surface and the air, changing from liquid to gas to liquid

water table – the top of the water-filled spaces in the ground

well – a hole dug below the water table that water seeps into