Human Activities and Global Climate Change

Front

Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

Back

Atmosphere

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The layer of gases that surrounds a planet, held in place by the planet's gravity and protecting life.

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Example: The image shows the layers of Earth's atmosphere, illustrating how it surrounds and protects the planet.

Front

Hydrosphere Noun

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[hy-droh-sfeer]

Back

Hydrosphere

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All the water found on a planet, including liquid water, ice in glaciers, and water vapor in the air.

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Example: The image shows water in rivers, clouds, and ice, explaining the hydrosphere.

Front

Geosphere Noun

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[jee-oh-sfeer]

Back

Geosphere

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The solid parts of the Earth, which includes all rocks, minerals, soil, and landforms from the core to the crust.

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Example: The image shows Earth's geosphere layers: crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core, explaining the solid parts of Earth.

Front

Biosphere Noun

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[by-oh-sfeer]

Back

Biosphere

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All the parts of the Earth where life exists, encompassing all living organisms and their environments.

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Example: The image shows the biosphere as the interaction of land, water, and air where life exists.

Front

Lithosphere Noun

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[lith-uh-sfeer]

Back

Lithosphere

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The rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the brittle crust and the solid upper part of the mantle.

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Example: The lithosphere includes the Earth's crust and the upper mantle, forming the rigid outer layer.

Front

Nonrenewable resource Noun

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[non-ri-noo-uh-buhl ree-sors]

Back

Nonrenewable resource

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A natural resource that exists in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced once it is consumed.

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Example: A power plant burning fossil fuels shows nonrenewable resource use.

Front

Deforestation Noun

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[dee-for-uh-stey-shuhn]

Back

Deforestation

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The large-scale removal of trees from forests, often to clear the land for other uses like agriculture or development.

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Example: The image shows tree stumps and logs, illustrating deforestation where trees are removed from forests.

Front

Erosion Noun

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[ih-roh-zhuhn]

Back

Erosion

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The process where natural forces like wind, water, or ice wear away and transport soil and rock.

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Example: A river eroding the land, carrying away soil and rock.

Front

Mining Noun

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[my-ning]

Back

Mining

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The process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth, usually from an orebody or seam.

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Example: The image shows how mining involves extracting ore from different underground levels, illustrating both open-pit and tunnel mining methods.

Front

Glacier Noun

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[gley-sher]

Back

Glacier

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A large, persistent, and slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow that flows over land.

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Example: Snow compacts into firn and then glacial ice, showing decreasing air content.