| macroscale | looking at or investigating a feature globally. see mesoscale and microscale |
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| magma | molten rock that lies beneath the surface of the earth; once exposed, magma becomes lava |
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| map | a graphic representation of the earth's surface |
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| map projection | a mathematical formula which assists in representing the curved surface of the earth onto the flat surface of a map |
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| map scale | the relationship between distance on a map and the distance on the earth's surface |
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| maquiladoras | manufacturing plants in mexico that producing parts for assembly in the united states; also maquilladores |
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| mass wasting | the (rapid and spontaneous) downward movement of rock material caused by gravity but often helped by water |
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| meanders | the winding bends and curves of a river |
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| megalopolis | several adjacent metropolitan areas with form a huge urban area. conurbation |
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| mental map | a map which represents the perceptions and knowledge a person has of an area |
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| meridian | a line of longitude |
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| mesa | a large flat-topped but steep-sided landform; they shrink to become buttes |
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| mesoscale | looking at or investigating a feature regionally. see macroscale and microscale |
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| mesoscale | looking at or investigating a feature locally, such as within a town or a city block. see mesoscale and macroscale |
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| meteorology | the scientific study of the atmosphere |
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| microclimate | the climate of a very small area |
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| micropolitan | a county with a central city with a population of more than 15,000 and a total county population of more than 40,000 but the county is not part of a metropolitan area |
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| microstate | a tiny country. |
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| monsoon | a wind system in southeast asia which changes direction seasonally, creating wet and dry seasons |
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| moraine | a ridge of unsorted and unconsolidated glacial deposits |
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| morphology | the shape of a state or nation |
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