Soil Sciences Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the approximate thickness of the A layer of the continental crust?

  • 2-10 km (correct)
  • 20-25 km
  • 30-40 km
  • 5-7 km
  • Which layer of the continental crust is referred to as the Granite Layer?

  • Oceanic crust
  • C layer
  • A layer
  • B layer (correct)
  • What is the typical thickness range for the C layer of the continental crust?

  • 30-35 km
  • 20-25 km
  • 25-40 km (correct)
  • 2-10 km
  • What is the density range of the A layer of the continental crust?

    <p>2.2 g/cm3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mineral-rich layer is described as SIMA?

    <p>C layer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the thickness of the oceanic crust compared to the continental crust layers?

    <p>5-7 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The average elevation of land on Earth is approximately how many meters?

    <p>840 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much of Earth's surface is covered by water?

    <p>70.8%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the edges of tectonic plates during the buildup of energy before an earthquake?

    <p>They stick while the rest of the plate continues to move.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily causes the shaking of the earth during an earthquake?

    <p>Stored-up energy being released as seismic waves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes Earth's composition?

    <p>It has a mean density of 5.5 g/cm3.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which three parts is Earth commonly differentiated into?

    <p>Lithosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gas primarily makes up Earth's atmosphere?

    <p>Nitrogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate age of Earth determined from radioactive dating?

    <p>4.543 billion years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the atmosphere compare to the total mass of Earth?

    <p>It contributes roughly one-millionth part of Earth's mass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary force that keeps the atmosphere around the planet?

    <p>Gravitational pull of the body of Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Pedology study in relation to soils?

    <p>The classification of soils based on biological properties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect does Edaphology primarily focus on?

    <p>Soils' influence on living things and growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of Hypsometry in geological studies?

    <p>To measure the height and depth of physical features</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of a Fault Plane in the context of earthquakes?

    <p>It is the surface where tectonic plates slip</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term refers to the location below Earth's surface where an earthquake originates?

    <p>Hypocenter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which field studies the relationship between crop production and soil science?

    <p>Agronomy/Agrology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What instrument is used to record earthquakes?

    <p>Seismograph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic does Orography focus on in resilience to earthquakes?

    <p>Topographic relief and mountain distribution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are foreshocks related to earthquakes?

    <p>Sequential minor earthquakes before a major event</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to describe the recording made by seismographs?

    <p>Seismogram</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors affects the size of an earthquake?

    <p>Amount of slip on the fault</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Magnitude' refer to in the context of earthquakes?

    <p>The size of the earthquake</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the length of wiggles on a seismogram relate to earthquakes?

    <p>Shows the amount of slip on the fault</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect primarily varies intensity of an earthquake experienced by an individual?

    <p>Distance from the epicenter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of earthquake monitoring, what do short wiggles on a seismogram indicate?

    <p>Small earthquake events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth is defined as the stony part?

    <p>Lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth is primarily composed of nickel and iron?

    <p>Outer Core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate thickness of the Earth's inner core?

    <p>1,200 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what depth does the lower mantle begin?

    <p>720 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of crust is thicker on average?

    <p>Continental Crust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the density of the upper mantle?

    <p>3.4 g/cm3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes the movement of tectonic plates?

    <p>Combination of heat and pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth 'floats' on top of the asthenosphere?

    <p>Lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the temperature range of the outer core?

    <p>4,000°C – 5,000°C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Soil Sciences

    • Soils are a vital natural resource essential for agriculture and environmental management.
    • Pedology studies soil formation, classification, physical, chemical, and fertility properties.
    • Edaphology focuses on the influence of soils on plant growth and ecosystems.
    • Agronomy involves crop production, biotechnology, and soil science applications.
    • Hydrogeology examines groundwater distribution and transport through soils and rocks.

    Topography

    • Topography analyzes landforms and their evolutionary processes.
    • Orography studies the distribution of mountains and topographic relief.
    • Hypsometry measures the height and depth of physical features relative to mean sea level.
    • Topography is essential for understanding physical features of the landscape.

    Earthquake Dynamics

    • Earthquakes occur when two blocks of the Earth's crust suddenly slip past each other.
    • A fault (fault plane) is the surface where the slip occurs, and a hypocenter is the initial location of the earthquake beneath the surface.
    • The epicenter is the point directly above the hypocenter on the Earth's surface.
    • Foreshocks are smaller earthquakes that may precede a larger one; they cannot be identified until after.

    Earth's Structure and Composition

    • Earth is the third terrestrial planet, supporting life with a mean density of 5.5 g/cm³.
    • Composed of three primary parts: Atmosphere, Lithosphere, and Hydrosphere.

    Atmosphere

    • The outer gaseous layer extends up to 700 km and retains minimal mass within the total Earth mass.
    • It consists of multiple layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.

    Lithosphere

    • The rigid outer shell of Earth, composed of solid rock and extending from the surface downwards.
    • Includes the crust (continental and oceanic), mantle, and core.

    Hydrosphere

    • Encompasses all natural water bodies on or below the Earth's surface, constituting 0.03% of Earth's mass.
    • Critical for life sustainability.

    Continental and Oceanic Crust

    • Continental crust is characterized by three layers:
      • A Layer (2-10 km thick, sedimentary rocks)
      • B Layer (20 km or more thick, granite and gneiss)
      • C Layer (25-40 km thick, basaltic composition)
    • Oceanic crust, generally 5-7 km thick, is extensions of the C layer.

    Earthquake Recording and Measurement

    • Seismographs record earthquakes, producing a seismogram.
    • Energy from an earthquake releases seismic waves that propagate outward, causing ground shaking.
    • Magnitude of earthquakes is determined by seismographic data, with variations in intensity based on location during the event.

    Earth Structure Statistics

    • Earth is described as an oblate spheroid, with:
      • Equatorial radius: 6378 km
      • Polar radius: 6357 km
      • Mean radius: 6371 km
    • Surface area: 1.101 x 10^14 m², with 70.8% water cover and 29.2% land cover.

    Core Composition

    • Core consists primarily of nickel and iron, with an inner core being solid and outer core liquid.
    • Temperatures range from 4,000°C to 7,000°C in the core, affecting tectonic activity.

    Mantle Composition

    • Mantle includes upper (5-50 km depth) and lower (720-2900 km depth) parts, with varying densities promoting plate tectonics.

    Tectonic Plates

    • When tectonic plates move, friction may cause them to get stuck, leading to energy accumulation until an earthquake occurs.

    Key Term Definitions

    • Fault Plane: Surface where blocks slip.
    • Hypocenter: Initial earthquake location below the surface.
    • Epicenter: Surface point above the hypocenter.
    • Magnitude: Size of an earthquake determined by seismograph data.
    • Foreshock: Smaller quake before a major quake.

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    Description

    Explore the intricate relationship between soils and their role as a vital natural resource. This quiz covers soil formation factors, classifications, and how they affect plant growth and living organisms. Delve into the various dimensions of pedology, edaphology, and agronomy as they relate to soil science.

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