Earth Science Basics

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

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

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
Types of Plate Boundaries:
- Divergent: plates move apart
- Convergent: plates move towards each other
- Transform: plates slide past each other horizontally

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

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

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.