Science · Grades 4–9
Earth systems · quick reference
Weathering breaks material down; erosion transports it. These processes can happen together, but they are not the same.
Key terms at a glance
Crust
Earth's thin outermost solid rocky layer.
Mantle
The thick rocky region between Earth's crust and core.
Outer core
The mostly liquid metallic layer surrounding Earth's inner core.
Inner core
Earth's solid central metallic region.
Plate tectonics
The model describing movement and interaction of Earth's lithospheric plates.
Weathering
The breakdown of rock in place at or near Earth's surface.
Erosion
Removal and transport of material by agents such as water, wind or ice.
Deposition of sediment
The settling or accumulation of transported sediment.
Igneous rock
Rock formed as magma or lava cools and solidifies.
Sedimentary rock
Rock formed from deposited material or chemical precipitation that becomes consolidated.
Metamorphic rock
Rock changed by heat, pressure or fluids without fully melting.
Magma
Molten or partly molten rock below Earth's surface.
Lava
Molten rock that has reached Earth's surface.
Water cycle
The ongoing movement of water among Earth's reservoirs.
Precipitation
Water falling from clouds as rain, snow or other forms.
Transpiration
Loss of water vapour from a plant, mainly through its leaves.
Runoff
Water flowing over the land surface.
Groundwater
Water stored in saturated spaces beneath the ground.
Weather
Atmospheric conditions at a particular place and time.
Climate
Long-term patterns and statistics of weather in a region.
Further reading and review references
These are reference links, not copied exercises, institutional endorsement or proof of independent review.
Learning preview · teacher review required. Grade bands are approximate, not official curriculum alignment.