Glossary of Terms: C

Calcification

A dry environment soil-forming process that results in the accumulation of calcium carbonate in surface soil layers.

 

Calcite

Mineral formed from calcium carbonate. Common mineral found in limestone.

 

Calcium Carbonate

Compound consisting of calcium and carbonate. Calcium carbonate has the following chemical structure CaCO₃.

 

Caldera

A large circular depression in a volcano.

 

Caldera Volcano

Explosive type of volcano that leaves a large circular depression. Some of these depressions can be as large as 40 kilometers in diameter. These volcanoes form when wet granitic magma quickly rises to the surface of the Earth.

 

Caliche

An accumulation of calcium carbonate at or near the soil surface.

 

Calorie

Quantity of energy. Equals the amount of heat required to raise 1 gram of pure water from 14.5 to 15.5° Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure.

 

Calving

The loss of glacier mass when ice breaks off into a large water body like an ocean or a lake.

 

Cambrian

Geologic period that occurred from 570 to 505 million years ago. During this period, invertebrates become common in the oceans and the Burgess Shale was formed.

 

Cambrian Explosion

Great diversification of multicellular life forms in the Earth's oceans that started during the Cambrian about 570 million years ago.

 

Canadian High

High pressure system that develops in winter over central North America.

 

Canadian Shield

Very old igneous and metamorphic shield rock that covers much of northern Canada. Created more than two to three billion years ago.

 

Canadian System of Soil Classification

A hierarchical system that is used in Canada to classify soils. This system has five levels: order, great group, subgroup, family, and series. At the order level, nine types of soils are recognized: brunisol, chernozem, cryosol, gleysol, luvisol, organic, podzol, regosol, and solonetzic.

 

Canopy Drip

Redirection of a proportion of the rain or snow falling on a plant to the edge of its canopy.

 

Canyon

Steep-sided valley where depth is considerably greater than width. These features are the result of stream erosion.

 

Capillary Action

Movement of water along microscopic channels. This movement is the result of two forces: the adhesion and absorption of water to the walls of the channels; and cohesion of water molecules to each other.

 

Capillary Water

Water that moves horizontally and vertically in soils by the process of capillary action. This water is available for plant use.

 

Carbohydrate

Is an organic compound composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. Some examples are sugars, starch, and cellulose.

 

Carbonate

Compound consisting of a single atom of carbon and three atoms of oxygen. Carbonate has the following chemical structure CO₃.

 

Carbonation

Is a form of chemical weathering where carbonate and bicarbonate ions react with minerals that contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

 

Carbon Cycle

Storage and cyclic movement of organic and inorganic forms of carbon between the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

 

Carbon Dioxide

Common gas found in the atmosphere. Has the ability to selectively absorb radiation in the longwave band. This absorption causes the greenhouse effect. The concentration of this gas has been steadily increasing in the atmosphere over the last three centuries due to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and land-use change. Some scientists believe higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will result in an enhancement of the greenhouse effect and global warming. The chemical formula for carbon dioxide is CO₂.

 

Carbon Monoxide

A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. The chemical formula for carbon monoxide is CO.

 

Cardinal Points

The four main navigational directions (North, East, South, and West) found on a compass or a map.

 

Carnivore

Heterotrophic organism that consumes living animals or the parts of living animals for food. Examples of carnivores include lions, cheetahs, leopards, frogs, snakes, hawks, and spiders. A carinore can also be called a secondary consumer or tertiary consumer. Also see herbivore, detritivore, scavenger, and omnivore.

 

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum size of population of a single species that a certain habitat can support.

 

Cartography

Field of knowledge that studies map construction. The act of creating a map.

 

Cascading System

This is a system where we are primarily interested in the flow of energy and/or matter from one element to another and understand the processes that cause this movement. In a cascading system, we do not fully understand quantitative relationships that exist between elements related to the transfer of energy and/or matter.

 

Catastrophism

General theory that suggests that certain phenomena on the Earth are the result of catastrophic events. For example, the Biblical Flood is responsible for sedimentary rock formations and the extinction of the dinosaurs.

 

Cation

An ion carrying a positive atomic charge.

 

Cation Exchange

Chemical trading of cations between the soil minerals and organic matter with the soil solution and plant roots.

 

Cation Exchange Capacity

The capacity of a soil to exchange cations with the soil solution. Often used as a measure of potential soil fertility.

 

Cave

A natural cavity or recess that is roughly positioned horizontally to the surface of the Earth.

 

Cavitation

Process of intense erosion due to the surface collapse of air bubbles found in constricted rapid flows of water. Causes the detachment of material from a surface.

 

Cell

A cell is the smallest self-functioning unit found in living organisms. Each cell is enclosed by an outer membrane or wall and contains genetic material (DNA) and other parts to carry out its life functions. Some organisms such as bacteria consist of only one cell, but most of the organisms found on the Earth are made up of many cells.

 

Cellular

Composed of cells. Process occurring between or within cells.

 

Cellulose

A type of carbohydrate. Primary component used in the construction of plant cell walls.

 

Celsius Scale

Scale for measuring temperature. In this scale, water boils at 100° and freezes at 0°.

 

Cenozoic

Geologic era that occurred from 65 million years ago to today.

 

Central Vent

The main passage way by which volcanic magma travels to the Earth's surface.

 

Centripetal Force

Force required to keep an object moving in a circular pattern around a center of rotation. This force is directed towards the center of rotation. Common in meteorological phenomena like tornadoes and hurricanes.

 

C Horizon

Soil horizon normally found below the B horizon and above the R horizon. This layer is composed of weathered bedrock that has not been yet significantly affected by the pedogenic processes.

 

Chain Reaction (Nuclear)

A large number of nuclear fissions, taking place within a certain mass of a fissionable isotope, that release a great quantity of energy in a short time.

 

Chalk

Form of limestone. This sedimentary rock is composed of the shells and skeletons of marine microorganisms.

 

Chaparral

A type of plant community common to areas of the world that have a Mediterranean climate (for example, California and Italy). It is characterized by shrubs, shrubby thickets and small trees that are adapted to seasonal dry conditions. Also called Mediterranean Scrubland.

 

Chelate

Organic substances that cause the chemical process of chelation.

 

Chelation

Chemical weathering process that involves the extraction or metallic cations from rocks and minerals by chelates.

 

Chemical

One of the millions of different elements and compounds found naturally and synthesized by humans.

 

Chemical Autotroph

Organism that uses the external energy found in chemical compounds to produce food molecules. The process used to produce food by these organisms is known as chemosynthesis.

 

Chemical Energy

Energy consumed or produced in chemical reactions.

 

Chemical Reaction

Reaction between chemicals where there is a change in the chemical composition of the elements or compounds concerned.

 

Chemical Weathering

Breakdown of rock and minerals into small sized particles through chemical decomposition.

 

Chemosynthesis

Process in which specific autotrophic organisms extract inorganic compounds from their environment and convert them into organic nutrient compounds without the use of sunlight. Also see photosynthesis.

 

Chernozem Soil

(1) Soil order (type) of the Canadian System of Soil Classification. This soil is common on the Canadian Prairies.

(2) Type of soil commonly found in grassland environments. These soils are often black in color and have a well developed A horizon rich in humus.

 

Chinook Wind

The name of a North American wind that occurs on the leeward side of mountains. This wind is warm and has a low humidity.

 

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Is an artificially created gas that has become concentrated in the Earth's atmosphere. This very strong greenhouse gas is released from aerosol sprays, refrigerants, and the production of foams. The basic chemical formula for chlorofluorocarbons is CF_x Cl_x .

 

Chlorophyll

Green pigment found in plants and some bacteria used to capture the energy in light through photosynthesis.

 

Chloroplast

Organelle in a cell that contains chlorophyll and produces organic energy through photosynthesis.

 

Chromosome

Organic structure that carries an organism's genetic code (DNA).

 

Cinder Cone Volcano

A small volcano, between 100 and 400 meters tall, made up of exploded rock blasted out of a central vent

at a high velocity. These volcanoes develop from magma of basaltic to intermediate composition.

 

Circle of Illumination

A line that bisects areas on the Earth receiving sunlight and those areas in darkness. Cuts the spherical Earth into lighted and dark halves.

 

Circum-Pacific Belt

A zone circling the edge of the Pacific Ocean basin where tectonic subduction causes the formation of volcanoes and trenches. Also called the ring of fire.

 

Cirque

Glacially eroded rock basin found on mountains. Most alpine glaciers originate from a cirque.

 

Cirque Glacier

Small glacier that just occupies a cirque.

 

Cirrocumulus Clouds

Patchy white high altitude cloud composed of ice crystals. Found in an altitude range from 5,000 to 18,000 meters.

 

Cirrostratus Clouds

High altitude sheet like clouds composed of ice crystals. These thin clouds often cover the entire sky. Found in an altitude range from 5,000 to 18,000 meters.

 

Cirrus Clouds

High altitude cloud composed of ice crystals. The appearance of these clouds is white feather like patches, filaments or thin bands. Found in an altitude range from 5,000 to 18,000 meters.

 

Classification

Process of grouping things into categories.

 

Clastic Sedimentary Rock

Sedimentary rocks that are formed by the lithification of weathered rock debris that has been physically transported and deposited.

 

Clay

Mineral particle with a size less than 0.004 millimeters in diameter. Also see silt and sand.

 

Cleavage

The tendency of some minerals or rocks to break along planes of weakness. This weakness occurs because of the nature of the bonds between mineral grains.

 

Cliff

A tall steep rock face.

 

CLIMAP Project

Multiuniversity research project that reconstructed the Earth's climate for the last million years by examining proxy data from ocean sediment cores.

 

Climate

General pattern of weather conditions for a region over a long period time (at least 30 years).

 

Climatic Optimum

Warmest period during the Holocene epoch. This period is dated from about 5,000 to 3,000 BC. During this time average global temperatures were 1 to 2° Celsius warmer than they are today.

 

Climatology

Scientific study of the Earth's climate over long time spans (greater than several days). May also involve the investigation of climate's influence on the biotic and the abiotic environment.

 

Climax Community

Plant community that no longer undergoes changes in species composition due to succession.

 

Climograph

Two dimensional graph that plots a location's air temperature and precipitation on times scales that range from a 24 hour period to a year.

 

Clone

(1) A group of genetically similar plants that have originated by vegetative asexual reproduction from a single parent.

(2) Replication of an individual who is genetically identical to its parent.

 

Closed System

Is is a system that transfers energy, but not matter, across its boundary to the surrounding environment. Our planet is often viewed as a closed system.

 

Closed Talik

Is a form of localized unfrozen ground (talik) in an area of permafrost. It is completely enclosed by permafrost in all directions.

 

Cloud

A collection of tiny particles of liquid or solid water occurring above the Earth's surface. Clouds are classified accord to their height of occurrence and shape. The major types of clouds include: Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus, Altocumulus, Altostratus, Nimbostratus, Stratocumulus, Stratus, Cumulus, and Cumulonimbus.

 

Coal

Sedimentary rock composed of the compacted, lithified and altered remains of plants. Coal is a solid, combustible mixture of organic compounds, hydrocarbons, with 30% to 98% carbon by weight, mixed with various amounts of water and small amounts of sulfur and nitrogen compounds. It is formed in several stages as the remains of plants are subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

 

Coalescence

Process where two or more falling raindrops join together into a single larger drop because of a midair collision.

 

Coastal Dune

Sand dune that forms in coastal areas. The sand for its formation is supplied from a beach.

 

Coastal Wetland

Wetland habitat found along a coastline and is covered with ocean salt water for all or part of the year. Examples of this type of habitat include tidal marshes, bays, lagoons, tidal flats, and mangrove swamps.

 

Coastal Zone

Relatively nutrient-rich, shallow part of the ocean that extends from the high-tide mark on land to the edge of the continental shelf.

 

Coastline

The line that separates a land surface from an ocean or sea.

 

Coefficient of Determination

Statistic that measures the proportion of the variation in the dependent variable that is associated with the statistical regression of an independent variable. Can be calculated by taking the square if the correlation coefficient.

 

Coevolution

The coordinated evolution of two or more species that interact and exert selective pressures on each other that can cause each species to undergo associated adaptations. Also see evolution and natural selection.

 

Col

Saddle like depression found between two mountain peaks. Formed when two opposing cirque glaciers back erode an arête.

 

Cold Desert

Desert found in the high latitudes and at high altitudes where precipitation is low. Surface air temperatures are generally cold in these dry environments.

 

Cold Front

A transition zone in the atmosphere where an advancing cold air mass displaces a warm air mass.

 

Cold Glacier

Glacier in which the ice found from the its surface to base has a temperature as cold as -30° Celsius throughout the year. This is well below the pressure melting point. Pressure melting can cause the melting of ice at the base of these glaciers. One of the three types of glaciers: cold glacier; temperate glacier; and subpolar glacier.

 

Colonization

Movement of individuals or propagules of a species to a new territory.

 

Comet

A large mass of ice and dust that has an orbit around a star.

 

Commensialism

Biological interaction between two species where one species benefits in terms of fitness while they other experiences no effect on its fitness.

 

Community

Refers to all the populations of interacting species found in a specific area or region at a certain time.

 

Community Boundary

Spatial edge of a unique community.

 

Compass

Navigation instrument that uses the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction.

 

Competition

Interaction where two or more organisms in the same space require the same resource (e.g., food, water, nesting space, and ground space) which is in limiting supply to the individuals seeking it. Competition can occur at the interspecific or intraspecific biotic levels. Competition may also be the result of two different processes: exploitation or interference.

 

Competitive Exclusion

Situation where no two competitively interacting species can occupy exactly the same fundamental niche indefinitely because of resource limitations. The outcome of this process is the local extinction the species that is a poorer competitor.

 

Composite Volcano

Volcano created from alternate layers of flows and exploded rock. Their height ranges from 100 to 3,500 meters tall. The chemistry of the magma of these volcanoes is quite variable ranging from basalt to granite.

 

Composites

Plants of the compositae family (Asteraceae). Common examples of these flowering plants are thistles, dandelion, and sunflowers.

 

Compound

A compound is the atoms of different elements joined together.

 

Concrete Space

Actual geographic space in the real world. Geographers approximate this space when they try to represent it in a model or map. This approximation is referred to as abstract space.

 

Condensation

The change in state of matter from vapor to liquid that occurs with cooling. Usually used in meteorology when discussing the formation of liquid water from vapor. This process releases latent heat energy to the environment.

 

Condensation Nuclei

Microscopic particle of dust, smoke or salt that allows for condensation of water vapor to water droplets in the atmosphere. Nucleus for the formation of a rain drop. Condensation normally occurs on these particles when relative humidity becomes 100%. Some condensation nuclei, like salt, are hygroscopic and water can condense on them at relative humidities lower than 100%.

 

Conduction

Conduction consists of energy transfer directly from atom to atom and represents the flow of energy along a temperature gradient.

 

Cone of Depression

Cone shaped depression occurring horizontally across a water table. Causes by excessive removal of groundwater by a surface well.

 

Confined Aquifer

Aquifer between two layers of relatively impermeable earth materials, such as clay or shale.

 

Confined Groundwater

Groundwater trapped between two impervious layers of rock.

 

Conglomerate

Coarse grained sedimentary rock composed of rounded rock fragments cemented in a mixture of clay and silt.

 

Coniferous Vegetation

Cone-bearing vegetation of middle and high latitudes that are mostly evergreen and that have needle-shaped or scale like leaves. Compare with deciduous vegetation.

 

Conservation Biology

Multidisciplinary science that deals with the conservation of genes, species, communities, and ecosystems that make up Earth's biodiversity. It generally investigates human effects on biodiversity and tries to develop practical approaches to preserving biodiversity and ecological integrity.

 

Consumer

An organism that receives the nutrients (food) required for maintenance, growth, and reproduction from the consumption of tissues of producers and/or other consumers. Also called a heterotroph. Several different kinds of consumers have been recognized including: carnivores, omnivores, scavengers, herbivores, detritivores, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

 

Contact Metamorphism

Is the small scale metamorphic alteration of rock due to localized heating. It is usually cause by an igneous intrusion like a sill or a dyke.

 

Continental Arctic Air Mass (A)

Air mass that forms over extensive landmass areas of the high latitudes. In the Northern Hemisphere, these system form only in winter over Greenland, northern Canada, northern Siberia, and the Arctic Basin. Continental Arctic air masses are very cold and extremely dry. These air masses are also very stable.

 

Continental Crust

Granitic portion of the Earth's crust that makes up the continents. Thickness of the continental crust varies between 20 to 75 kilometers. See sial layer.

 

Continental Divide

The elevated area that occurs on a continent that divides continental scale drainage basins.

 

Continental Drift

Theory that suggests that the Earth's crust is composed of several continental plates that have the ability to move. First proposed by A. Snider in 1858 and developed by F.B. Taylor (1908) and Alfred Wegener (1915).

 

Continental Effect

The effect that continental surfaces have on the climate of locations or regions. This effect results in a greater range in surface air temperature at both daily and annual scales. Also see maritime effect.

 

Continental Glacier

Largest type of glacier with a surface coverage in the order of 5 million square kilometers.

 

Continental Ice Sheet

See continental glacier.

 

Continental Margin

The area between a continent's shoreline and the beginning of the ocean floor. It includes the continental shelf, continental rise, and continental slope.

 

Continental Plate

A rigid, independent segment of the lithosphere composed of mainly granite that floats on the viscous plastic asthenosphere and moves over the surface of the Earth. The Earth's continental plates are an average 125 kilometers thick and were formed more than 3 billion years ago. Also see oceanic plate.

 

Continental Polar Air Mass (cP)

Air mass that forms over extensive landmass areas of middle to high latitudes. In North America, these system form over northern Canada. Continental Polar air masses are cold and very dry in the winter and cool and dry in the summer. These air masses are also atmospherically stable in both seasons.

 

Continental Rise

Thick layers of sediment found between the continental slope the ocean floor.

 

Continental Shelf

Shallow submerged margin of the continents that lies between the edge of the shoreline and the continental slope. This nearly level area of the continental crust has surface layers composed of sediment or sedimentary rock.

 

Continental Shelf Break

Boundary zone between the continental shelf and slope.

 

Continental Shield

See shield.

Continental Slope

Steeply sloping portion of continental crust found between the continental shelf and continental rise.

 

Continental Tropical Air Mass (cT)

Air mass that forms over extensive landmasses areas of the low latitudes. In North America, these system form over southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Continental Tropical air masses are warm and dry in the winter and hot and dry in the summer. These air masses are also generally unstable in the winter and stable in the summer.

 

Contour (Line)

Line on a topographic map that connects all points with the same elevation.

 

Contour Interval

Difference in elevation between two successive contour lines. The interval at which contours are drawn on a map depends on the amount of the relief depicted and the scale of the map.

 

Control System

A system that is intelligently controlled by the activities of humans. For example, a dam on a river.

 

Continuous Permafrost

Form of permafrost that exists across a landscape as an unbroken layer.

 

Convection

Convection involves the transfer of heat energy by means of vertical mass motions through a medium.

 

Convection Current

The movement of a gas or a fluid in chaotic vertical mass motions because of heating.

 

Convectional Lifting

The vertical lifting of parcels of air through convective heating of the atmosphere. This process can initiate adiabatic processes inside the air parcel.

 

Convectional Precipitation

Is the formation of precipitation due to surface heating of the air at the ground surface. If enough heating occurs, the mass of air becomes warmer and lighter than the air in the surrounding environment, and just like a hot air balloon it begins to rise, expand and cool. When sufficient cooling has taken place saturation occurs forming precipitation. This process is active in the interior of continents and near the equator forming cumulus clouds and possible later thunderstorms. Rain is usually the precipitation type that is formed, and in most cases this moisture is delivered in large amounts over short periods of time in extremely localized areas.

 

Convergence

Horizontal inflow of wind into an area. Once at the area, the wind then travels vertically.

 

Convergence Precipitation

The formation of precipitation due to the convergence of two air masses. In most cases, the two air masses have different climatological characteristics. One is usually warm and moist, while the other is cold and dry. The leading edge of the latter air mass acts as an inclined wall or front causing the moist warm air to be lifted. Of course the lifting causes the warm moist air mass to cool due to expansion resulting in saturation. This precipitation type is common at the mid-latitudes where cyclones form along the polar front. Also called frontal precipitation.

 

Convergent Lifting

The vertical lifting of parcels of air through the convergence of opposing air masses in the atmosphere. This process can initiate adiabatic processes inside the air parcel.

 

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

Current official world time reference for civil and scientific purposes. Coordinated Universal Time is measured from six standard atomic clocks at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Paris, France. Implemented in 1964.

 

Coral

Simple marine animals that live symbiotically with algae. In the symbiotic relationship, the algae provides the coral with nutrients, while the coral provide the algae with a structure to live in. Coral animals secrete calcium carbonate to produce a hard external skeleton.

 

Coral Bleaching

Situation where coral lose their colorful symbiotic algae. Thought to be caused by unusually warm water, changes in salinity of ocean seawater, or excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

 

Coral Reef

Ridge of limestone found generally below the ocean surface. This marine feature is produced by numerous colonies of tiny coral animals, called polyps, that create calcium carbonate structures around themselves for protection. When the corals die, their vacant exterior skeletons form layers that cause the reef to grow. Coral reefs are found in the coastal zones of warm tropical and subtropical oceans.

 

Core

The core is a layer rich in iron and nickel found in the interior of the Earth. It is composed of two sub-layers: the inner core and outer core. The core is about 7,000 kilometers in diameter.

 

Coriolis Force

An apparent force due to the Earth's rotation. Causes moving objects to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern hemisphere. Coriolis force does not exist on the equator. This force is responsible for the direction of flow in meteorological phenomena like mid-latitude cyclones, hurricanes, and anticyclones.

 

Correlation Coefficient

Statistic that measures the degree of linear association between two variables. Its values vary from between -1 and 1. Perfect positive (the dependent variable increases with an increase in the independent variable) linear association has a correlation coefficient of 1. Perfect negative (the dependent variable decreases with an increase in the independent variable) linear association has a correlation coefficient of -1. Absolutely no association between variables has a value of zero.

 

Coulee

(1) Steep-sided flow of volcanic lava that has solidified.

(2) Abandoned glacial meltwater channel.

(3) Term used in the United States to describe a steep-sided stream valley.

 

Counter-Radiation

Redirection of the Earth's longwave radiation back to the surface because of the greenhouse effect.

 

Craton

Stable foundation core of the Earth's various plates of continental crust. Composed of the shield and platform.

 

Crater

Circular depression in the ground surface created by volcanic activity or asteroid impact.

 

Creep

(1) Slow mass movement of soil downslope. Occurs where the stresses on the slope material are too small to create a rapid failure. See soil creep.

(2) Another term used to describe traction.

 

Cretaceous

Geologic period that occurred roughly 65 to 144 million years ago. During this period, the first flowering plant species appear and dinosaurs are at their greatest diversity. Dinosaurs die out at the end of this period.

 

Crevasse

(1) Opening on a levee that allows for the drainage of water from the floodplain to the stream channel.

(2) Fracture on the brittle surface of a glacier.

 

Critical Entrainment Velocity

Velocity required to entrain a particular sized particle into the moving medium of air or water.

 

Crust

Earth's outer most layer of solid rock. Between 7 to 70 kilometers thick. Two types of crust exist: oceanic crust and continental crust.

 

Cryosol Soil

Soil order (type) of the Canadian System of Soil Classification. This soil is common to high latitude tundra environments. The main identifying feature of this soil is a layer of permafrost within one meter of the soil surface.

 

Cryostatic Pressure

Pressure exerted on a substance by ice at rest.

 

Cryotic

Something that is frozen.

 

Cumulus Cloud

Puffy clouds with relatively flat bases. Cumulus clouds form when moist warm air bubbles vertically escape from the Earth's surface. Found in an altitude range from 300 to 2,000 meters.

 

Cumulonimbus Cloud

A well developed vertical cloud that often has top shaped like an anvil. These clouds are very dense with condensed and deposited water. Weather associated with this cloud includes: strong winds; hail; lightning; tornadoes; thunder; and heavy rain. When this weather occurs these clouds are then thunderstorms. Can extend in altitude from a few hundred meters above the surface to more than 12,000 meters.

 

Cuspate Foreland

Is a triangular accumulation of sand and/or gravel located along the coastline. This feature is formed by the joining of two spits.

 

Cyanobacteria

Bacteria that have the ability to photosynthesize.

 

Cyclogenesis

Process of cyclone formation, maturation, and death.

 

Cyclone

Area of low pressure in the atmosphere that displays circular inward movement of air. In the Northern Hemisphere circulation is counterclockwise, while Southern Hemisphere cyclones have clockwise wind patterns.

 

Cytoplasm

All of the protoplasm in a cell except for what is contained in the nucleus.

 

 

Citation: Pidwirny, M. (2006). "Glossary of Terms: C". Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd Edition. Date Viewed. http://www.physicalgeography.net/physgeoglos/c.html