Sci Q4

• Earthquake


  Shaking of Earth's crust caused by a sudden release of energy in the rocks underground
• Types of Earthquakes

  • Tectonic Earthquake - caused by the movement of Earth
  • Volcanic Earthquake - caused by the movement of magma
• Magma


  Molten rock material within the Earth
• Seismologists


  People who study seismic waves to determine the epicenter of an earthquake
• Seismograph


  Instrument seismologists use to record seismic waves
• Epicenter


  Area on Earth's surface directly above the focus (point within Earth where an earthquake originates)
• PHIVOLCS

  Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology - agency that monitors, predicts & determines areas prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruption & other related hazards
• Intensity


  Measure of an earthquake's severity in terms of its effect on the earth's surface & on humans
• Magnitude


  Measure of energy released by an earthquake
• Richter magnitude scale


  Used to determine the magnitude of an earthquake
• Tsunami


  Caused by an earthquake, a landslide or a volcanic eruption on the sea floor
• Sinkhole


  Patch of land that suddenly collapses, creating a hole in the ground
• Volcanic Eruption


  One of the most devastating natural phenomena that can cause fear & possibly loss of lives & properties
• Volcano


  Mountain, hill or even a small slit on land or under the sea
• Pyroclastic materials


  Lava, ashes, gases and many other materials escaping from within Earth
• Parts of a Volcano

  • Crater - funnel-shaped opening at the top
  • Main Vent - pipe-like passageway for magma
  • Secondary Vents - cracks or small openings around the main vent
  • Magma Chamber - where magma is collected
• Amihan (northeast monsoon)


  Affects the Philippines from October to March, bringing cold weather
• Habagat (southwest monsoon)


  Occurs from May until October, wet season for most parts of the country
• PAGASA

  Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, country's official weather authority
• Meteorologists


  Scientists who study weather conditions
• Weather forecast


  Prediction of weather conditions given by meteorologists
• Weather


  Condition of the atmosphere at a given time in a particular place
• Air mass


  Large body of air that has similar properties to the region of Earth's surface over where it develops
• Fronts


  Where air masses meet, boundary between two air masses of different densities, moistures or temperatures
• Types of moving fronts

  • Cold front - cold air replaces warm air
  • Warm front - warm air replaces cold air
  • Occluded front - two cold masses move towards each other with warm air between
  • Stationary front - boundary between air masses stops advancing
• Elements of Weather Changes

  • Temperature - measure of hotness or coldness
  • Humidity - measure of moisture present in the air
  • Precipitation - any form of moisture that falls on the ground
  • Wind - horizontal movement of air near Earth's surface
  • Pressure - force of air on a given surface
• Dry season


  Period with low amount of rainfall
• Wet season

  Time of year when a region receives an average annual rainfall, best time for plants to grow
• Types of Philippine climate

  • Type 1 - two pronounced seasons: dry & wet
  • Type 2 - no dry season, maximum rainfall Nov-Jan
  • Type 3 - dry season Nov-Apr, wet rest of year
  • Type 4 - rainfall equally distributed throughout the year
• Cyclone


  Fast-moving whirl originating from warm oceans, containing heavy rain & high winds that can cause huge waves
• Typhoon


  Kind of cyclone having a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour
• Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)


  Area monitored by the Philippine weather authority
• Sun


  Star, hot ball of glowing gases at the heart of our solar system
• Prime meridian


  Primary dividing line from North to South
• Revolution


  Movement of Earth in its orbit around the Sun
• Rotation


  Spinning of Earth on its own axis
• Nuclear fusion


  Process of converting hydrogen into helium, producing great amounts of energy
• Astronomical Unit (AU)


  Unit of length equal to the average distance between Earth and the Sun
• Inner Planets

  • Mercury
  • Venus
  • Earth
  • Mars
• Mercury


  Closest planet to the Sun, considered one of the hottest & coldest planets