Fact sheets for Earth and Life
when it is cooled and solidified.
Origin of the Universe
Steady-state theory- is one of the theory of the universe of
which states that universe looks essentially the same from
every spot in it and at every time. It is homogeneous and
isotropic in space and time. It has uniform density so matter is
continuously created.
Theories on the origin of the universe can be holistically
described as opposing theories and this hypothesis give clear
account of the true origin of the universe
Among all planets on the milky way galaxy, Earth is considered
unique for that supports LIFE.
The four subsystems of Earth:
Geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. These
four subsystems establish relationship across all spheres that
interact and affect each other when a change happens.
Earth’s Layers:
The thinnest layer of earth is the crust.
Inner core is the layer of earth that has the highest pressure.
When it comes to temperature, the mantle has the lowest
one.
Crust, among all the internal structure of Earth, has the
highest density.
Rocks and Minerals
When exposed to heat and pressure, sandstone can turn into
quartzite.
An example of igneous rock is granite.
Examples of metamorphic rock are marble and schist
Example of sedimentary rock is a sandstone.
Weathering and Mass Wasting:
In the processes of weathering, rock fragments and products
of alterations are carried away through the process of
erosion. these products of weathering being carried away and
deposited elsewhere are due to the influence of wind, rivers
and floods(motion of water) and carry the weathered
products away from the original source to a new location.
Mass wasting refers to the downslope movement of rock,
regolith, and soil because of gravity. Mass wasting is a natural
process, which follows weathering. It is considered a natural
hazard. They are classified based on their moisture or water
content and speed, or rate of movement.
In the study of diastrophism, the mountains, continents and
even volcanic eruption or earthquake are all made possible by
the heat inside the Earth. This internal heat of the Earth are
made through the process of radioactive decay of isotopes in
the mantle and crust that affects the surface then.
Magma is formed by the melting of Earth’s mantle.
Plutonism- this is a process that refers to a cooled magma and
solidified below the earth’s surface, it forms intrusive rocks or
plutonic rocks.
Volcanism- the total opposite of plutonism. This refers to the
process magma finds its way to rise inside the volcano and
moves out through eruption, it forms extrusive rocks (lava)
Metamorphism- a process of which pre-existing rocks change
in geologic texture and minerals due to heat, pressure and
introduction of chemically active fluids.
Rocks have different kinds of reaction when exposed to stress:
1. During compression, rocks squeeze together that
cause them to fold or fracture (break).
2. Under tension, rocks are pulled apart that cause
them to lengthen or break apart.
3. If the amount of stress on rock is greater than the
rock’s internal strength, rock bends elastically.
Continental Drif
In 1915, the German geologist and meteorologist Alfred
Wegener first proposed the theory of continental drif, which
states that parts of the Earth’s crust slowly drif atop a liquid
core. The fossil records supports and give credence to the
theories of continental drif and plate tectonics. Earth’s
continents move relatively to each other, thus appearing to
“drift” across ocean bed.
Sea-floor spreading: Seafloor spreading proposed that rising
magma was forming new oceanic crust along the oceanic
ridges and that old crust was destroyed at oceanic trenches.
The concept of seafloor spreading was combined with the
earlier idea of continental drif to create the theory of plate
tectonics. It occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic
crust is formed through volcanic activity and then gradually
moves away from the ridge.
Rock layers are are immediately formed when tectonic plates
and crustal plates collide and rise up forming new plates and
layers.
The following are methods of determining the age of stratified
rocks: absolute dating, relative dating, radiometric dating.
Geologic time scale of Earth:
1.The geologic time scale (GTS) is a system of chronological
dating that relates geological strata (stratigraphy) to time of
the Earth’s age.
2. Geologic time spans are considerably more difficult to
comprehend than historical time spans because they are so
incredibly long.
3. Scientists have put together the geologic time scale to
describe the order and duration of major events on Earth for
the last 4 1⁄2billion years.
Natural disaster and hazards:
Earthquake: Ground shaking, surface rupture, ground failure,
tsunamis.
Volcanic Eruption: Pyroclastic flows, lava flows, lahars, and
volcanic gas.
Landslides: Mudslides, rock falls, avalanches, debris flows
Fire hazards: Falling debris, big fire, dark smoke, toxic smoke
Sandbags are coastal protection that involves adding of sand
and water mixtures to prevent erosion.
GOD bless with your exams. If you read this handout, expect a blissful result. � - dcb