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Questions and Answers
Which of the following geological features is most likely to cause earthquakes in Haiti?
Which of the following geological features is most likely to cause earthquakes in Haiti?
The Younger Dryas was a warm period characterized by stable temperatures.
The Younger Dryas was a warm period characterized by stable temperatures.
False
What is the name of the cold-climate flower that gave the Younger Dryas its name?
What is the name of the cold-climate flower that gave the Younger Dryas its name?
Dryas octopetala
Which of the following is NOT a key function of oceans?
Which of the following is NOT a key function of oceans?
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The ______ is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter of an earthquake.
The ______ is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter of an earthquake.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of plate movement?
Which of the following is NOT a type of plate movement?
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The Richter Scale measures the intensity of an earthquake.
The Richter Scale measures the intensity of an earthquake.
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What is the name of the geological museum located in Hong Kong?
What is the name of the geological museum located in Hong Kong?
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Match the following types of rocks with their formation process:
Match the following types of rocks with their formation process:
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Which of the following is NOT a source of renewable energy?
Which of the following is NOT a source of renewable energy?
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Acid mine drainage can have a negative impact on the environment.
Acid mine drainage can have a negative impact on the environment.
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What is the primary cause of global warming?
What is the primary cause of global warming?
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Which of the following measures is NOT a mitigation strategy for global warming?
Which of the following measures is NOT a mitigation strategy for global warming?
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What is the name of the most powerful typhoon ever recorded?
What is the name of the most powerful typhoon ever recorded?
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The common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees lived around 7 million years ago.
The common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees lived around 7 million years ago.
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Which of the following is NOT an early human trait?
Which of the following is NOT an early human trait?
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What is the name of the ancient hominid species that appeared 1.5 million years ago and is known for using stone stools?
What is the name of the ancient hominid species that appeared 1.5 million years ago and is known for using stone stools?
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Which of the following species is considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans?
Which of the following species is considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans?
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Modern humans (Homo sapiens) emerged approximately 200,000 years ago.
Modern humans (Homo sapiens) emerged approximately 200,000 years ago.
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What is the primary advantage of a larger brain in humans?
What is the primary advantage of a larger brain in humans?
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The human brain uses approximately 10% of the body's energy.
The human brain uses approximately 10% of the body's energy.
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Global warming is causing a rise in ______ levels, which can lead to flooding in coastal areas.
Global warming is causing a rise in ______ levels, which can lead to flooding in coastal areas.
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Study Notes
Lecture 1: Introduction to Our Living Environment
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Key Topics:
- How the environment affects us
- How we affect the environment
- How to address environmental problems
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Example 1: Global Temperature Changes:
- Earth's average surface temperature has fluctuated significantly over the past 500 million years
- Most of Earth's history has been too warm for persistent polar ice caps
- The past 50 million years is an exception
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The Younger Dryas:
- A period of abrupt temperature change, similar to a near-glacial period
- Named after a cold-climate flower, Dryas octopetala
- Likely influenced the development of agriculture
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Natufian Culture:
- Existed in the Levant approximately 12,000 years ago
- Transitioned from hunting-gathering to farming in the Fertile Crescent
- Domesticated crops (peas, lentils, barley) & animals (goats, oxen)
- Evidence of dog domestication
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Example 2: Earthquakes:
- Historical Earthquakes: Earthquakes (magnitude 6.0+) from 1900-2017; Magnitude 8.0+ quakes from 1900–2018.
- Haiti Earthquakes (2010): Magnitude 7.0 caused severe destruction, exacerbated by Haiti's geology (fault lines between the North American and Caribbean plates), affecting 1.2 million people, including 540,000 children in 2021 with a 7.2 magnitude quake
- Impact: Haiti's unique geology increases seismic vulnerability. Children suffer most due to limited access to shelter, water, and healthcare.
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Example 3: Radon:
- A radioactive, odorless, colorless gas.
- The second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., causing 15,000-22,000 deaths annually.
Lecture 2: Earth Facts
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Fact 1: The Earth is the 3rd Planet from the Sun:
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What Makes a Planet:
- Orbits a star (Sun)
- Big enough for gravity to form a spherical shape
- Cleared other objects in its orbital path
- Habitable Zone: Range where liquid water can exist on a planet's surface
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What Makes a Planet:
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Fact 2: Earth's Layers:
- Three Layers: Crust, Mantle, Core
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Studying Earth's Interior:
- Seismic waves, vibrations caused by earthquakes or explosions, and their travel speeds depending on materials.
- Peridotite: Dominant rock in Earth's mantle
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Fact 3: Tectonic Plates Move:
- Theory of Plate Tectonics: Earth's lithosphere (crust + upper mantle) moves due to mantle heat.
- Movement Types: Plate collisions (e.g., Himalayas); Moving apart of plates, creating landmasses (e.g., East Africa Rift); Plates sliding past each other, causing earthquakes.
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Fact 4: Extinctions Happen:
- Species Extinction:
- 99.9% of all species are extinct
- Average lifespan ~10 million years
- Dodo Example: Extinct due to habitat destruction and invasive species
- Dinosaur Extinction: Likely caused by the Chicxulub asteroid impact (~65 million years ago)
- Species Extinction:
Lecture 3: Natural Resources
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Water:
- 71% of Earth's surface is covered by water
- Water stress: population growth, urbanization, and climate change exacerbate water scarcity
- Groundwater Depletion: Over-pumping causes land subsidence, contamination, and reduced food production
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Non-Renewable Resources:
- Gold Mining: environmental pollution (air, water, soil) acid mine drainage harms ecosystems.
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Renewable Energy:
- Examples: solar, wind, geothermal, hydro
- Pros/Cons (clean but weather-dependent)
- Geothermal Energy: found near volcanoes, hot springs, geysers
Lecture 4: Our Ocean
- Ocean Basics: 71% of Earth's surface is covered by oceans
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Key Functions:
- Climate stabilization
- Support ecosystems and livelihoods
- Source of food, energy, and water
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Ocean Sediments:
- Types: Terrestrial, Biogenic, Volcanic, Wind-Blown Dust
- Marine Life Zones: Divided by depth and light availability
- Human Impact: Plastic pollution is a major concern for marine ecosystems
Lecture 5: Stephen Hui Geological Museum
- Museum Overview: Hong Kong's sole geological museum established on 16 January 2009, providing earth science education and stewardship of earth
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Key Exhibits:
- Dynamic Earth: Highlights geological forces shaping earth
- Earth Evolution: Fossils showcase Earth history and evolution
- Earth Materials: formation of rocks and minerals and their significance in our lives
Lecture 6: Natural Hazards
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Earthquake:
- Caused by sudden stress release in Earth's crust
- Epicenter: Point on the surface above the hypocenter
- Richter Scale: Measures earthquake energy, 1500 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or higher annually
- Types of Plate Movements: Convergent (mountains, volcanoes); Transform (e.g., San Andreas Fault)
- Mitigation: building regulations, public awareness campaigns
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Tsunami:
- Series of ocean waves caused by underwater disturbances
- Wave speeds up to 805km/hr
- Examples: 2004 Indian Ocean, 2011 Tohoku
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Volcanic Eruption:
- Volcano opening for magma, gases, and ash to escape
- Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): Measures eruptions
- Examples: 2022 Tonga Eruption (largest atmospheric explosion in over 100 years)
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Typhoon:
- Formed over warm ocean waters near the equator, storm surge, and high winds
Lecture 7: Human Population and Impacts
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Human Evolution:
- Common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees around 7 million years ago
- Early human traits: opposable thumbs, large cerebrum, omnivorous diet
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Key Milestones in Human Evolution:
- Tools and fire: Enabled environmental control and brain development
- Benefits of meat: High calorie, protein-rich diet enabled brain growth and energy efficiency
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Major Human Species:
- Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapiens
- Evolution of the Brain: Stores information, solves problems, brain consumes 20% of the body's energy.
Lecture 8: Global Warming
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Impacts of Global Warming:
- Rising temperatures lead to sea level rise and frequent extreme weather events
- Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2) are the primary cause
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Mitigation Measures:
- Reduce fossil fuel use
- Develop renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind)
- Promote public education and policy support
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Description
Explore the intricate relationship between humans and the environment in this quiz. Learn about historical climate changes, ecological impacts, and the evolution of agriculture through the Natufian culture. Test your knowledge on diverse topics like temperature fluctuations and the effects of natural disasters on societies.
