Test 1 Flashcards
What are the Sciences that make up Earth Science?
Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy, Environmental Science
What is Geology?
The study of the solid Earth. Physical geology examines the materials that
comprise the Earth and historical geology aims to understand the origins and
development of the planet.
What is Oceanography?
Examines the composition and dynamics of the world’s oceans. It
also involves the study of coastal processes and seafloor topography as well as
marine life.
What is Meteorology?
The study of Earth’s atmosphere. It includes weather and climate.
What is Astronomy?
Examines Earth as a body in space, both as part of the solar system and
as part of a larger universe
What is Environmental Science?
Includes the study of natural resources, environmental
hazards, and how people influence their environments and Earth processes.
List at least four natural hazards. Aside from natural hazards, describe another important
connection between people and Earth Science.
Different natural hazards include: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Floods, Tsunami, Hurricanes,
and Landslides. Humans influence Earth by altering its surface. People build cities and
roads, and engineer projects that alter river flooding patterns. People pollute the air, the
land, and the water, changing Earth from what is its natural state.
List two examples of size/space scales in Earth Science that are at opposite ends of the
spectrum.
1) A lightning flash happens within a fraction of a second but can instantly alter the
immediate landscape.
2) Uplift of mountain ranges takes tens to hundreds of millions of years to occur.
How old is the Earth?
Earth is 4.6 billion years old.
If you compress geologic time into a single year, how much time has elapsed since Columbus
arrived in the New World?
3 Seconds.
How is a scientific hypothesis different from a scientific theory?
A hypothesis is an untested explanation for an observed phenomenon. It requires further
observation or testing to see if it is valid. A theory is generally accepted by the scientific
community as the best explanation for observable facts, as it has been subjected to rigorous
scrutiny and tested repeatedly.
Summarize the basic steps used in many scientific investigations.
1)An observation is made about the natural world. 2)Data surrounding that observation are collected. 3)A working hypothesis is developed. 4)More observations and/or experiments are performed to test the hypothesis. 5)The hypothesis is accepted, rejected, or modified. 6)Data and results are shared with the scientific community for critical analysis and
further testing.
Name and briefly outline the theory that describes the formation of our solar system.
The theory that describes the formation of our solar system is the nebular theory, which
states that the early solar system originated as a cloud of dust and gas about 5 billion
years ago as a star gravitationally collapsed. This rotating nebular cloud eventually
contracted into a flattened, rotating disk. The cloud cooled and heavier metallic and rocky
material condensed and accreted into the inner planets. The outer planets formed from
residual gases and ices in the outer nebular cloud.
List the inner planets and outer planets. Describe basic differences in size and composition
Inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are relatively small and
rocky; they are made up largely of metals and silicate minerals.
Outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets are much larger than
the inner planets and are composed of ices and gases.
List the four spheres that constitute the Earth system.
Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geosphere
Compare the height of the atmosphere to the thickness of the geosphere.
The atmosphere is a very thin layer compared to the planet itself. The radius of the solid
Earth is about 6400 km (4000 mi) whereas the entire atmosphere is roughly 160 km (100
mi) thick.
How much of Earth’s surface do oceans cover? What percentage of Earth’s water supply
do oceans represent?
Oceans cover nearly 71% of the planet. They account for 97% of Earth’s water supply.
What is a system. List three examples.
A system is a group of interacting, independent parts that make up a complex whole.
Examples of systems include a city transportation system, a weather system, or an
automotive cooling system.
What are the two sources of energy for the Earth system?
The Sun and Earth’s interior are the two sources of energy for the Earth system.
Compare and contrast continents and ocean basins.
Continents are made of granitic rocks whereas oceans are made of basaltic rocks.
Continents are less dense and thicker than ocean basins
Name the three major regions of the ocean floor. What are some physical features
associated with each?
Continental margins – contains the continental shelf, the continental slope, and the
continental rise. They are the boundary between continents and oceans.
Deep-ocean basins – include the vast, flat abyssal plains of the ocean bottom. They
also contain deep ocean trenches and seamounts in varied stages of erosion.
Oceanic ridges – are divergent plate boundaries where new igneous rock is
formed. These are vast winding ridges of underwater volcanic mountains that wind
around the Earth.
Describe the general distribution of Earth’s youngest mountains.
Earth’s youngest mountains are generally found at the margins of continents along as
opposed to the stable interior of continents.
What is the difference between shields and stable platforms?
A shield is a large stable area of very old crystalline rock. A stable platform is a shield
covered by sedimentary rock
Why did the ancients believe that celestial objects had some influence over their lives?
Early cultures noticed a connection between the seasons, tides, floods, and certain
celestial bodies. Because seasons, tides, and floods were important in their agriculture, they
believed that the heavenly bodies also controlled this part of their lives.