Chp.1) Intro to Earth Science Flashcards
what is earth science?
all the sciences that collectively
seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in space
what is geology?
literally “study of Earth,” both physical
and historical
what is Oceanography?
study of the ocean
what is meteorology?
the study of the atmosphere and the
processes that produce weather
what is astronomy?
the study of the universe
what is Geologic Time?
span of time since Earth’s formation
Earth is 4.6 billion years old
concept of “recent” is different
a geologic time scale divides…
earth into different units
science assumes the natural world is (___) and (___)
consistent, predictable
the goal of science to discover (___) and to use that knowledge to (___)
patterns, predict
what is a hypothesis?
tentative or untested explanation
what is a theory?
tested and confirmed hypothesis
what a paradigm?
a theory that explains a large number of interrelated aspects of the natural world
the scientific method gathers facts through observation to formulate (___) and (___)
hypotheses, theories
what are the (7) frequently followed steps in scientific investigations?
1) raise a question about the natural world
2) background research (collect data)
3) construct hypothesis
4) develop observations and/or experiments to test hypothesis
5) analyze data
6) results do/do not support hypothesis
– try again, if they do not
7) share with scientific community for critical evaluation and additional testing
the universe began with the Big Bang (___) billion years ago
13.7
true or false:
the Earth and the other planets formed at essentially the
same time?
true
this theory states that the Solar system evolved from an enormous
condensing, rotating cloud of gas (mostly helium and hydrogen) and dust 5 billion
years ago
Nebular Theory
large, outer planets form from fragments with a high percentage of (___)
ice
what are earth’s 4 major spheres?
hydrosphere
atmosphere
biosphere
geosphere
the most prominent feature of the hydrosphere is the (___) which covers 71% of the earth’s surface and contains 97% of earth’s water
ocean
true or false:
freshwater makes up streams, lakes, glaciers as well as underground water
true
the atmosphere is thin, tenuous blanket of air and 1/2 lies below (___) kilometers
5.6km (3.5 miles)
what percent of the atmosphere is below 16 km (10 mi)?
90%
what sphere includes all life and is concentrated near the surface in a zone that extends from
the ocean floor upward for several kilometers into the
atmosphere
biosphere
this sphere is the largest of earth’s 4 spheres and extends from the center of the planet to the surface
geosphere
the geosphere consists of these 3 components:
crust, mantle, and core
true or false:
divisions of the portion of the geosphere are based on how materials behave?
true
what are the layers of the earth starting from the inner core?
CORE
–inner core (solid)
–outer core (liquid)
MANTLE
–lower mantle (solid)
–upper mantle (solid)
–asthenosphere (solid, but mobile)
CRUST
–lithosphere (solid and rigid)
explain the 3 major steps of the hydrologic cycle
Evaporation is when liquid water turns into water vapor because of heat from the sun
Condensation is when water vapor cools down and becomes liquid water again. This forms clouds in the sky
Precipitation is when water falls from the clouds as rain, snow, hail or sleet
what are the major features of Ocean Basins?
average 3.8 kilometers (2.8 miles) below sea level
basaltic rocks
what are the major features of continents?
–Flat features that average 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) in
elevation
–Granitic rocks
Continental (___) is a gently sloping platform extending
seaward from shore
shelf
Continental (___) is a steep drop off at edge of
continental shelf
slope
Continental (___) is a more gradual incline; continental
slope merges with thick accumulation of sediments
rise
(___) are portions of seafloor adjacent to major landmasses that include continental shelfs, slopes, and rise
continental margins
features of DEEP ocean basins
–Between continental margins and oceanic ridges
–Abyssal plains—flat features of deep-ocean basins
–Deep-ocean trenches—deep depressions in ocean floor
–Seamounts—submerged volcanic structures
what are the major features of continents?
*Mountain Belts
–-Principally the circum-Pacific belt and the Alps/Himalayas
*Stable Interior
–-Shields—expansive, flat regions of deformed crystalline rock
–-Stable platforms—deformed rocks covered by sedimentary rocks
young mountain belts are less than (___) million years old
100
what are the components of Mountain Belts
