Lecture Notes: Early Earth, Oceans, and Lithosphere Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the video notes: dimensional visualization, Earth's structure terms, the Devonian era, the ancient ocean's acidity, weathering and ocean chemistry, and ocean currents.

Two and a half dimensions (2.5D)

A representation of space that mimics 3D phenomena within a 2D view; not full 3D.

Geosphere

The solid Earth as a whole; broader term for Earth's internal and surface features.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer shell of Earth comprising the crust and upper mantle; often contrasted with the geosphere.

Devonian

Geologic period known as the 'age of fishes' (about 419–359 million years ago), marked by diversification of marine life.

Early ocean

Earth's primordial ocean, believed to have been more acidic than today.

Weathering

The surface breakdown of silicate minerals releasing ions (e.g., Ca2+, HCO3−) into the oceans.

Calcium ions (Ca2+) and Bicarbonate ions (HCO3−)

Ions released by weathering; essential for marine carbonate chemistry and shell formation.

Silicate mineral

A rock-forming mineral consisting of silicon and oxygen; a source of ions released by weathering.

Marine calcifiers

Ocean organisms that build shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate using Ca2+ and carbonate.

Deep Earth's Atmosphere (Deep Earthen's Atmosphere / Snac 1750)

Course reference to a visual summary of atmospheric evolution used to orient understanding.

Ocean currents

Movements of seawater driven by winds, density differences, and Earth's rotation that redistribute heat and materials.