Australia and Oceania

the idea that continents are slowly drifting as the tectonic plates that they sit on move

• Volcanic Eruption Hypothesis
• Continental Drift Theory

• Plate Tectonics
• Earthquake Theory

Match the term with its definition

• Exotic Species

• animals or plants that occur naturally in an area

• Threatened Species

• animals or plants that are likely to become endangered if not protected

• Native Species

• animals or plants that are brought into an area from somewhere else

• Endangered Species

• animals or plants that are in danger of dying out in the immediate future

a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley

• Bay
• Cove
• Gulf
• Fjord

a ring of coral islands and reefs surrounding a shallow body of ocean water

• Lagoon
• Atoll
• Peninsula
• Cape

an island that was once part of a continent

• Continental Island

• Tectonic Island

• Meteor Island

• Erosion Island

a body of shallow water partly cut off from the ocean by low-lying rock, sand, or coral reefs

• Lagoon
• Mountain
• River
• Pond

an island formed when an underwater volcano builds up enough lava and ash to rise above sea level

• tectonic island
• magma island
• seismic island
• volcanic island

a very large ecosystem such as a desert, forest, wetland, or grassland.

• biome
• environment
• ecosystem
• habitat

a long-term change in climate patterns on Earth, typically including changes in average global temperatures, precipitation, and in the frequency of severe weather

• Temperature consistency
• Climate change
• Weather stability
• Precipitation fluctuation

the gradual increase in the temperature of Earth’s surface over time. This warming may be the result of natural causes. It may also be caused by human activity.

• Universal warming
• Planetary heating
• Global cooling
• Global warming