the earth. the earth from a global perspective why is it the way it is, what makes it different or...
TRANSCRIPT
The Earth
The Earth from a global perspective
• Why is it the way it is, what makes it different or similar to other planets?
• Earth from space – first seen in 1957
• Imagine you’re an alien from another planet…
Distinguishing features of Earth (compared to other planets):
- water
- vegetation
- clouds
tranquil place
Desert - Namibia
Drainage patterns - Yemen
Grand canyon from space
Impact craters – Manicoagan crater - Quebec
Mountains – Sierra Nevada
from space
Volcanoes – radar image of
Mauna Loa from space
Pyramids from space
Earth at night
Earth’s surface: constantly changing
Similar Fossils Found on different Continents!
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Similar Rock Formations Found on different continents!
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250 Million Years Ago- Pangea
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M
Where does the energy for plate tectonics come from?
Energy from Earth’s interior
Radioactive Decay
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Earth was most likely MOLTEN early in its history
•Energy sources to keep Earth molten throughout- decay of radioactive isotopes (atoms) from early solar system
- violent impacts from solar system formation debris numerous asteroids, meteoroids
chemical differentiation” – heavier elements sinkdown lower in the structure
core = made of IRON
mantle = dense, iron-rich, but other lighter elements
crust = relatively thin, light, silicon-rich materials
Earth’s Atmosphere
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Earth’s Atmosphere
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Early Earth’s Atmosphere
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Rock Formation Process
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Zircon
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Earth's oldest-known mineral -Over 4 billion Years old. We can figure out under what conditions it formed.
CO2 Cycle
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Magnetosphere
• Magnetic Field roughly aligned with its rotation axis
• Charged particles from the Sun can interact with the Earth's field and change its shape
Aurora
