Chapter 1

Question 1

How old is the Earth?

Answer 1

4.6 billion years old

Question 2

How old is life on Earth?

Answer 2

~3.5 billion years old

Question 3

Origin of water on Earth

Answer 3

1. Water from ice-covered comets and outgassing
2. Volcanic activity releasing CO2 and water vapor

Question 4

Origin of atmosphere on Earth

Answer 4

First life forms release O2 into atmosphere as biproduct of photosynthesis, which eventually led to ozone layer

Question 5

Definition of environment

Answer 5

A complex system with physical, biological, geological, ecological, and geopolitical aspects

Question 6

What are the 4 major contributors to environmental crisis?

Answer 6

1. Population
2. Environmental hazards
3. Resource limitations and contamination
4. Environment ownership

Question 7

What is environmental geology and how is it used?

Answer 7

Applied geology that uses geological information to solve conflicts in land use and minimize the impact of using natural and modified environments

Question 8

What are the five fundamental concepts of environmental geology?

Answer 8

1. Human population growth
2. Sustainability
3. Earth as a System
4. Hazardous Earth processes
5. Scientific knowledge and values

Question 9

What is the number one environmental problem currently affecting the Earth?

Answer 9

Exponential human population growth that likely already exceeds the planet’s carrying capacity

Question 10

Factors currently affecting human population growth

Answer 10

1. Most growth in developing countries
2. Population growth decreases as women’s education increases

Question 11

Is the rate of human population increasing or decreasing?

Answer 11

It is decreasing for the first time since the mid 1900s

Question 12

What is the definition of sustainability?

Answer 12

Responsible development that ensures that future generations will have equal access to the resources the planet offers

Question 13

How is sustainability measured?

Answer 13

1. Use and consumption of non-renewable resources
2. Natural replenishment and renewable rates
3. Global consumption vs resource replenishment
4. Development and improvement of human environment vs viable environment
   5.

Question 14

What is a system in terms of Earth studies?

Answer 14

Any defined part of the universe that we select for study

Question 15

What is average residence time?

Answer 15

T = Average residence time = S/F = size of stock / rate of transfer

Question 16

What four interconnected, interdependent subsystems make up the dynamic Earth system?

Answer 16

Lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere

Question 17

What is uniformitarianism?

Answer 17

The theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes

“present is the key to the past”

Question 18

What is the concept of environmental unity?

Answer 18

That one action causes others in a chain of actions

Question 19

What is the precautionary principle?

Answer 19

Proactive approach to handling complex environmental problems emphasizing environmental unity, where concrete scientific proof is not required, as it is impractical or impossible to apply in many situations.