Sci 10 - Geology

• The geosphere is the Earth itself
• Early earth started as a dust ball from nebular gas and dust brought together by accretion.
• Segregation by density (Differentiation) • Allowed heavy metals to sink while lighter materials “floated”
• Accretion • the process in which dust clump together by static electricity to form larger and larger objects with the aid of self-gravity.
• Earth is dominantly composed of 4 major elements: Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, Iron
• Earth is the only planet with water on its surface
• Earth is 4.54 billion years old
• The organization of the Earth’s layers: Less dense material rose and heavier material sank
• Core -> Iron

  Crust -> Basaltic or Granitic
• Crust - Outermost and thinnest layer

  • Continental (Granitic)
  • Oceanic (Basaltic)
• Mantle - Mainly composed of Peridotite
• Outer Core - Only liquid layer
• Inner Core - Solid sphere
• CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY - Alfred L. Wegener, Suggests that all the continents were joined into a single landmass. “Pangaea” (all land) and “Panthalassa”
• Jigsaw Fit of Continents - Coastlines of some continents fit together like a puzzle
• Spread of Index Fossils - Some fossils were observed in continents separated by vast oceans.
• Similar Lithologies across continents - “Lithologies” -> rock types - Rocks and geologic structures in one continent match rocks found in the matching continent.
• Paleoclimate - Materials observed in today’s glaciers were found in areas with warmer climates. - Tropical fossils were observed in frozen regions.
• SEA FLOOR SPREADING - Harry Hammond Hess, - Idea that oceanic crust is formed along mid-ocean ridges
• PALEOMAGNETISM - Remnant Magnetism. • Rocks with magnetic minerals such as magnetite (Fe3O4)
• PALEOMAGNETISM - At temperatures below Curie Temperature, they align themselves to the current magnetic field. At temperatures above Curie Temperature, they are randomly oriented
• PLATE TECTONICS - Explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth’s subterranean processes. Dynamics of the Earth’s outer shell.
• Divergent Boundary - Oceanic ridges and Rift zones • Materials erupted are always basaltic (rich in Si and Mg).

  
• Convergent Boundary • Trenches, volcanoes, mountains form. •

  Subduction – when an oceanic plate meets a continental plate and slides beneath it

  
• Oceanic/Continental - Oceanic subducts beneath continental plate • Volcanic arc

  
• Oceanic/Oceanic • Older plate will subduct the younger plate • Island arc

  
• Continental/Continental • Neither subducts the other • Mountains

  
• Transform Fault • Two tectonic plates move past one another. • Changes the face of the landform.

  
• ATMOSPHERE - Historically, volcanoes are responsible for the climate. Today they can still have significant effects through volcanism
• HYDROSPHERE - Water cycle

  •Atmosphere allows water to evaporate and form clouds.

  •Precipitation flows into rivers and oceans, seep into the ground or be taken up by plants.
• BIOSPHERE - Geosphere affects the soil types present in an area

  • Different plants and animals
• ENERGY - Geothermal Energy
• Philippines sits on a complex network of tectonic plate boundaries