GEO101

Science

Method of knowing based on measured observations, hypotheses, experiments, and theories to explain natural phenomena.

Scientists' workplaces

Big universities, the government, or industry.

Research funding benefits

Universities can benefit from research funding through various sources.

Peer review

When science is reviewed by other scientists before and after publication.

Theory

A demonstrated systematic model.

Primary scientific literature

Sources like Public Library of Science One and NASA satellite weather database.

Theory similarity

A theory is most similar to a demonstrated systematic model.

Funding sources for university research

Potential sources include peer review.

University vs

University scientists do "pure" research and publish findings; industry scientists do applied research and are more secretive.

Alabama geology resources

Minerals and construction materials, oil and gas, and coal.

Scientists use jargon

To limit ambiguity and save time.

Rock formation at divergent boundaries

New ocean floor made of igneous rock.

Earth's magnetic field

Generated by the circulation of liquid iron in the outer core.

Tectonic plate movement

Caused by convection of heat within the Earth.

Earthquakes in Alabama

Uncommon and typically small due to location away from boundaries or hot spots.

Lithosphere vs

Lithosphere is rigid and floats on the softer, flowing asthenosphere.

Tectonic regions with metamorphic rocks

Found at convergent boundaries.

Core vs

Core has liquid iron alloy (outer) and solid iron-nickel alloy (inner); mantle is ultramafic rock (peridotite); crust is rich in oxygen.

Rock cooling rates

The faster a rock cools, the smaller/finer its mineral grain sizes will be.

Oceanic plate collision

Density determines which plate subducts.

Least likely to subduct

Continental crust.

Massive igneous rock bodies

Called plutons.

Volcano occurrence

Least likely in the middle of tectonic plates.

Plate tectonics cessation

When the Earth's interior cools down and plates can no longer move.

Causes of rock metamorphosis

Weathering.

Hawaii

Represents a hot spot.

Sedimentary rock materials

Come from weathering, transportation, deposition, sediments, and lithification.

Lava vs

Lava is erupted igneous rock; magma is igneous rock that remains under the crust.

Highest mountains formation

Generally form via convergent boundaries.

Subducting tectonic plate edge

Sinks into the mantle.

Grant money usage

Covers scholarships for grad students, lab expenses, salary, travel, and publishing costs.

Geologists' studies

Rocks, water, atmosphere, living things, and other planets and planetesimals.

Subduction trench properties

Include volcanic arcs, accretionary prisms, trench axis, and forearc basin.

New rock production at divergent boundaries

Magma rises from the mantle to the crust and solidifies into oceanic crust.

Birmingham's iron industry

Due to Red Mountain being made of iron ore.

Volcanism in Iceland

Caused by its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and a hot spot.

Atlantic Ocean changes

It is growing over time.

Earth's core properties

Made of iron alloy.

Hypothesis vs

Hypothesis is unverified; theory is a testable explanation of natural phenomena.