ESCI 111 Week 1 -2

Earth Science

The study of the Earth, including its structure, composition, and processes, placed in a historical context to understand past events and predict future outcomes.

Earth Systems

Interconnected components of the Earth, including the solid Earth, atmosphere, biosphere, and interactions between them, such as flows of energy and matter.

Deep Time

Concept of considering geological time scales spanning millions to hundreds of millions of years to comprehend Earth's history and predict future changes.

Earth System Equilibrium

The Earth system's ability to maintain a stable climate suitable for life through feedback mechanisms, perturbations, and forcings.

Rock Types

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks categorized based on their origin, composition, and formation processes.

Stratigraphy

The study of rock layers (strata) and their distribution in space and time to reconstruct Earth's history, utilizing principles like superposition and lateral continuity.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks altered by heat and pressure, classified into contact and regional metamorphism, with variations in temperature and pressure leading to different rock types and structures.

Weathering

The process by which rocks close to the surface are exposed to environmental factors, leading to changes in their composition and appearance, often resulting in a rusty or orange color.

Erosion

The wearing away of land surfaces by wind, water, ice, or other geological agents, leading to the removal of soil and rock particles.

Uplift

The movement of the Earth's crust upwards, often caused by tectonic forces, resulting in the elevation of land areas.

Convergent Plate Boundary

A boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, leading to the formation of mountain ranges, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Fault Lines

Fractures in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred, influencing the shape of the landscape and causing earthquakes.

Subduction

The process where one tectonic plate moves beneath another, often resulting in the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs.

Plate Tectonics

The theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, interacting at boundaries and causing geological events.

River Terraces

Flat, raised surfaces along river valleys formed by the deposition of sediments, providing insights into past fault movements and landscape changes.

Climate Cycles

Patterns of climate change occurring over long periods, such as the 1000-year cycles of warming and cooling, affecting sea levels and river courses.

Coastal Processes

The dynamic interactions between land and sea, leading to changes in coastlines through erosion, deposition, and sea level fluctuations.