Earth and Life Science.docx

Earth and Life Science 1\. **Continental drift** is a theory *proposed* by **Alfred Wegener** stating that there was once a **supercontinent** called **[Pangaea]**. 2\. **Plate tectonics theory** replaced the continental drift theory in that it explained that the *[continental and oceanic crusts a...

Earth and Life Science 1\. **Continental drift** is a theory *proposed* by **Alfred Wegener** stating that there was once a **supercontinent** called **[Pangaea]**. 2\. **Plate tectonics theory** replaced the continental drift theory in that it explained that the *[continental and oceanic crusts are part of the lithospheric plates that float above the asthenosphere]*. According to this theory, *convection current is the driving mechanism of the moving plates.* 3\. The [surface of Earth is made up of lithospheric plates] where interaction happens in the **[different types of boundaries]**, such as **[divergent boundary, convergent boundary, and transform fault boundary. ]** 4\. **Relative dating** is used [to determine which samples are older] while **absolute dating** gives a [numerical date for the samples]. Both are methods used by geologists **to determine the age of the rocks and fossils.** 5\. *Relative dating* requires one to know the [basic principles of superposition, original horizontality, and principle of cross cutting relationships, and unconformities. ] 6\. *Absolute dating* is a [method that uses unstable elements to determine the exact age of a rock. ] 7\. The **geologic time scale** divides the history of Earth into [eons, eras, periods, and epochs.] The ongoing phase on Earth\'s history is the [Holocene epoch of the Quaternary period of the Cenozoic era of the Phanerozoic eon.] 8\. The **Paleozoic era** is divided into [seven periods], namely, *[Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian, Pennsylvanian, and Permian periods.]* 9\. The **Mesozoic era** is divided into [three periods], namely, *[Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.]*