Earth and Life Science

Summary

This document outlines fundamental concepts in Earth Science, including the theories of continental drift and plate tectonics, and details the geologic time scale, including divisions such as eras, periods, and epochs.

Full Transcript

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.]*

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