U4 APES Earth Systems

Earths Core

innermost layer of the planet

(nickel & iron) inner core is solid.

The outer core is liquid. The interaction between
the two form magnetic field

Mantle

Above core. Contains magma where
convention currents occur.

The spongy Material movement, drive plate tectonics

Crust

outermost layers of the planet;
thinnest layer contains basement rock of
ocean & continents.

Lithosphere

The brittle outermost layer of the Earth

Asthenosphere

Outer part of the mantle (Semi-molten, Flexible rock)

Crust (continental)

Mostly granite, Si, O

Crust (Oceanic)

Mostly Basaltic, Fe & Mg

Convection

It involves hot rock rising and cooler rock sinking, creating convection currents.

Hot spots

Places where molten material from the mantle reach the lithosphere

Continental Drift

The theory that the Earth's continents were once connected as a single supercontinent called Pangaea, and over millions of years, they slowly moved apart to their current positions.

Theory of Plate tectonics

The theory of plate tectonics explains how the Earth’s outer shell (the lithosphere) is divided into large, rigid plates that move over the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These movements are responsible for many geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and the formation of mountain ranges.

Divergent Plate boundaries

When plates move apart from one another

Convergent Plate boundaries

When the plates move towards one another

Transform Fault Boundaries

Plates Move sideways past eachother

Volcano formation

As a plate moves over a hot spot, rising magma forms a volcano

Faults

A fault is a crack or fracture in the Earth’s lithosphere where two blocks of rock have moved relative to each other. Faults are created by stress and are often the cause of earthquakes.

Earthquakes

occurs when the rocks across of the lithosphere unexpedly rupture along a fault

Soil

Soil is the top layer of Earth’s surface where plants grow. It’s made up of a mixture of minerals, organic matter (like decayed plants and animals), air, and water.

Soil formation

Soil formation begins
when bedrock is broken
by physical, chemical, &
biological processes
called weathering

Soil components

Pore space 50% (air/water)

Soil Space 50% (Mineral matter & Organic Matter)

Soil Properties (Texture)

Clay, Sand, & Silt

(Ex. If a soil sample contains: (Silty Clay)

• 30% clay

• 10% sand

• 60% silt

Soil Texture

Largest → Smallest

Sand → Silt → Clay

• Sand = easily seen

• silt = size of flour

• clay = electronic microscope

O horizon

composed of organic detritus in various
stages of decomposition.

A horizon

topsoil, a zone of organic material &
minerals that have been mixed together.

E horizon

Zone of leaching, found in some acidic soils
under the O horizon or, less often, the A horizon.

B horizon

primarily of mineral material with very little
organic matter.

C horizon

least-weathered soil horizon, always
beneath the B horizon, & similar to the parent material.

Atmospheric composition

78% Nitrogen

21% Oxygen

1% Other gases

Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere (Closest to surface)

Stratosphere (Further out)

Atmospheric Composition

• 78% Nitrogen gas (N2)

• 21% Oxygen gas (O2)

• 1% Other Gases

Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere (Closest to ground level)

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

Thermosphere

Exosphere (Farthest from ground level)

Oceans + Atmosphere

The 2 main systems that distribute heat from equator to polar regions

Coriolis Effect

The Coriolis Effect is the way the rotation of the Earth causes moving air and water to curve instead of moving in a straight line.

Atmospheric Cells Part 1

Clouds from in areas where air is rising and theres typically a wet climate

Atmospheric Cells Part 2

Areas with no clouds, the air is sinking and typically has Dry climate

Effects of rising air

Where air is rising an area of low pressure is created, so theres an increase of rainfall

Effects of descending air

Where air is descending an area of high pressure forms giving large clear skies & little rain fall

Solar radiation

the energy emitted by the sun that reaches Earth as electromagnetic waves, primarily in the form of visible light and infrared radiation.

Reasons for seasons

The Earth is tilted on its axis 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun.

This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive different amounts of sunlight during the year.

The tilt stays constant as Earth orbits the Sun, so the orientation of each hemisphere changes with the seasons.

Rain shadow effect

a dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range that forms when moist air rises, cools, and loses its moisture on the windward side.

ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation)

a natural cycle where the Pacific Ocean and atmosphere shift between three phases: El Niño, La Niña, and Neutral.

Upwelling

nutrient rich cold water rises to the surface

ENSO (El Nino conditions)

• WEAK trade winds

• warming of ocean
  surface

• Indonesia: less rainfall

• pacific ocean: more
  rainfall

• south america: warmer
  surface water

• upwelling decreases -
  fish move away or die

• Australia: drought

ENSO (La nina conditions)

• STRONG trade winds

• cooling of ocean surface

• indonesia: rainfall
  increases

• pacific ocean: rainfall
  decreases

• upwelling drastically
  increases

Watershed

an area of land that drains all the water that falls within it into a common body of water, like a river, lake, or ocean.