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Questions and Answers
What is the primary study focus of geology?
Which of the following layers of Earth is liquid?
What does the term 'continental drift' refer to?
Which process involves the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles?
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What term describes the area where tectonic plates meet?
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Which natural hazard is characterized by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust?
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What is created during the process of seafloor spreading?
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Which is not a primary branch of Earth Science?
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Study Notes
Earth Science
Branches of Earth Science
- Geology: study of the Earth's physical structure, composition, and processes that shape it
- Meteorology: study of the atmosphere, weather, and climate
- Hydrology: study of water on Earth, including its distribution, circulation, and properties
- Oceanography: study of the oceans, including their chemistry, physics, and biology
Earth's Structure
- Crust: outermost solid layer, varying in thickness from 5-70 km
- Mantle: thick layer beneath the crust, divided into upper and lower mantle
- Outer Core: liquid iron-nickel alloy, responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field
- Inner Core: solid, iron-nickel alloy at the center of the Earth
Plate Tectonics
- Continental Drift: theory that continents move over time
- Seafloor Spreading: process where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges
- Plate Boundaries: areas where plates meet, resulting in earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building
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Types of Plate Boundaries:
- Divergent: plates move apart
- Convergent: plates move towards each other
- Transform: plates slide past each other horizontally
Earth's Processes
- Weathering: breakdown of rocks into smaller particles due to wind, water, and ice
- Erosion: transportation of weathered particles away from their source
- Deposition: settling of eroded particles in a new location
- Rock Cycle: continuous process of rock formation, transformation, and destruction
Natural Hazards
- Earthquakes: sudden releases of energy in the Earth's crust, causing seismic waves
- Volcanic Eruptions: release of magma and gases from the Earth's interior
- Hurricanes: intense tropical cyclones with strong winds and heavy rainfall
- Tsunamis: large ocean waves caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions
Branches of Earth Science
- Geology: Examines Earth's physical structure, composition, and dynamic processes shaping it.
- Meteorology: Investigates atmospheric phenomena, including weather patterns and climate trends.
- Hydrology: Focuses on water resources, analyzing distribution, circulation, and properties across the planet.
- Oceanography: Explores oceans, addressing their chemical, physical, and biological characteristics.
Earth's Structure
- Crust: The Earth's outer layer; thickness varies from 5 km to 70 km, comprising continental and oceanic crust.
- Mantle: A thick layer beneath the crust, divided into upper and lower sections, influencing tectonic activity.
- Outer Core: Composed of liquid iron-nickel alloy; key player in generating Earth's magnetic field through convection currents.
- Inner Core: Solid inner region made up of iron-nickel alloy, with extremely high temperatures and pressures.
Plate Tectonics
- Continental Drift: Proposes that continents shift positions over geological time due to plate movements.
- Seafloor Spreading: New oceanic crust formation occurs at mid-ocean ridges, driving the movement of tectonic plates.
- Plate Boundaries: Interactions at plate edges can lead to geological events such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation.
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Types of Plate Boundaries:
- Divergent Boundaries: Plates separate, creating new crust.
- Convergent Boundaries: Plates collide, leading to subduction or mountain uplift.
- Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past one another horizontally, often resulting in earthquakes.
Earth's Processes
- Weathering: The natural process of breaking down rocks into smaller particles through elements like wind, water, and ice.
- Erosion: The movement of weathered materials away from their original location, greatly influenced by natural forces.
- Deposition: Occurs when eroded particles settle in new locations, forming sedimentary layers or features.
- Rock Cycle: A continuous cycle involving the formation, transformation, and destruction of rocks through various geological processes.
Natural Hazards
- Earthquakes: Result from the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, producing seismic waves that can cause significant damage.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Occur when magma and gases escape from the Earth's interior, leading to lava flows, ash clouds, and pyroclastic flows.
- Hurricanes: Powerful tropical storms characterized by high winds and heavy rainfall, formed over warm ocean waters.
- Tsunamis: Large sea waves generated by underwater disturbances such as earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, capable of causing widespread destruction.
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Description
Test your understanding of the fundamental concepts of Earth Science, including its branches and structure.