Geo Unit 1

The scientific process

Hypothesis vs theory

a tentative or untested explanation

a well tested and widely accepted view that the scientific community agrees best explains observable facts

Geology vs Physical Geology

scientific study of the Earth

s

tudy of Earth’s materials and seeks to understand the many processes that operate within and upon our planet

Natural process vs geologic hazard

Flooding begins as a natural process but can become a geological hazard

If we allowed to happen, say a dam breaking, its not a natural disaster

Catastrophism

(James Ussher) Belief that Earth was shaped by great catastrophes

Uniformitarianism

(James Hutton) the physical chemical and biological process that operate today have also operated in the same way in the past.

Igneous

Sedimentary

Metamorphic

Magma

Compacted dust and sediment

Pressure and heat

Three major layers of earf

Crust- Thin and rocky, divided into the oceanic (7 kilometers thick but denser, made of basalt) and contential crust (35-70 kilometer made of granite)

Mantle - high-density rock composed of peridotite

Core - composed of iron nickel alloy ( densest material was pulled to the middle of the earth)

Earths interior by physical properties

Lithosphere - rigid outer layer of the Earth that consists of crust and mantle

Asthenosphere - the soft, weak layer, it is mobile (veeeery slowly)

Transition zone - a zone marked by a big increase in density

Lower mantle - a zone of strong, very hot rocks subjected to gradual flow

Outer core - liquid outer layer of the core

Inner core - solid inner layer of the core

Earths external and internal Heat engines

External - primary driver of atmosphere and hydrospheric circulation - controls the weather of rocks

Internal - primary driver of most geospheric phenoms

ROCK

CYCLE