Unit 1 Notes

Sun as PowerGeology

Electromagnetic Radiation

We gain our knowledge by the study of light emitted from stars and other bodies.

Ex. X-Rays, Cosmic Rays, Visible Light, Microwaves, Radio Waves (Classified by wavelength on the Electromagnetic Spectrum)

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Fusion vs. Fission Nuclear Fusion

The way in which the Sun produces energy ---- nuclei combine

Nuclear Fission

When the nuclei split

The Structure of the Earth

Earth’s Insides

In three main parts: The Crust The Mantle The Core

Based on the composition of each part.

The Crust

Thin rocky outer layer

Two parts: Oceanic Crust – younger rocks

Continental Crust – older rocks

The Mantle

82% of Earth’s volume is found here.

Solid, rocky shell

A change in the rock types

The “Extra” Layers

Lithosphere: A strong layer under the upper mantle.

Asthenosphere: A soft layer, weak under the lithosphere.

Earth’s “Extra” Layers

Lower Mantle: A rigid layer, top of this layer rocks are solid bottom of the layer rocks are liquid.

The Core

Made up of two parts:

Inner Core: Solid layer (pressure)

Outer Core: Liquid layer

The Cores

Inner Core: The materials are pressed into a solid because of the pressure

Outer Core: Liquid due to the extreme heat.

Discovering the layers

A scientist discovered that seismic waves happen under the surface in different layers.

Earthquake waves can travel around the world in different layers of the Earth

Things to know about Earthquakes

2 parts

Focus: Point within the Earth where the Earthquake starts.

Epicenter: On the surface above the epicenter.

Where do Earthquakes occur?

Faults

How do they happen?

Plate Tectonics

http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Continental_drift&video_id=98547&vpkey=

http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Plate_Tectonics_Rap&video_id=82280

2 types of shocks

Aftershock: Follows a major earthquake (could be smaller)

Foreshock: Before an earthquake.

Can happen years/days before an earthquake

How do we measure waves?

Seismograph

2 types of waves

Surface Wave: Travel along the Earth’s surface

Body Waves: P wave: push/pull wave through rocks (1st)

S Wave: shake particles at right angles (2nd)

P and S waves

Finding the Center of the Earthquake

Use three seismic stations to find the center

Use a distance – time graph

What we measure

Intensity: Amount of shaking

Magnitude: size/amount of energy released

The scale

Richter Scale: Based on the amplitude of the largest wave.

The old way

Moment of Magnitude: Amount of displacement from the fault

The new way

Types of Destruction

1.) Seismic Vibrations – damage to buildings/amount intensity

2.) Tsunamis

3.) Landslides

4.) Fires

Predicating Earthquakes

Short Range: Measures strain, not very successful

Long Range: Helps with building codes, can’t really understand

Seismic Graphs: Not a lot of activity along a fault line.

Plate Tectonics

Continental Drift

Continental Drift

Wegner – proposed the theory of continental drift.

Continental Drift – The continents had once been joined to form a single supercontinent.

Pangaea!!!!

Evidence

The continental puzzle

Matching Fossils

Rock Types and Structures

Ancient Climates

A New Theory Wegner’s theory was rejected.

Plate Tectonics – based on earthquake knowledge.

Plate Tectonics

Plate Boundaries and Major Plates

Earth’s Major Plates The lithosphere is divided into plates

Earth’s Plates – move and continually change shape and size.

Types of Plate Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries – Two plates move apart.

Convergent Boundaries – Two plates move together.

Transform Fault – two plates grind together.

Types of Faults

Normal Fault Reverse Fault/Thrust Fault Strike-Slip Fault

Actions at Plate Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries Oceanic Ridge –

Create an oceanic ridge – wide not narrow

Rift Valleys – deep faulted structures

Seafloor Spreading: Plate tectonics produce new oceanic lithosphere.

5 cm per year.

Continental Rifts: East African rift valley

Convergent Boundaries

Subduction Zone – Oceanic crust is being pushed down into the mantle.

Oceanic – Continental = Continental plate remains floating.

Oceanic – Oceanic Continental – Continental

Convergent Boundaries Oceanic- Continental Oceanic - Oceanic

Continental – Continental

Transform Fault Boundaries

Plates grind past each other without destroying the lithosphere.

Volcanoes

Mt. Saint Helens Eruption May 18, 1980

Factors Affecting Eruptions

Primary Factors: Magma composition Magma Temperature Amount of dissolved gases.

Viscosity – the substances resistance to flow

Volcanic Material

Lava Flows Gases Pryoclastic Materials

Types of Volcanoes

Three main types: Shield Volcanoes

Cinder Cones Composite Cones

Inside A Volcano

Other Volcanic Landforms Claderas – a large depression in a volcano

Necks & Pipes – How magma gets through the volcano

Lava Plateaus

Soil and Weathering

Mechanical vs. Chemical Weathering

Occurs when physical forces break down rocks.

Three process:1.) Frost Wedging

2.) Unloading3.) Biological Activity

Transformation of a rock from one form to another

Water: A major factor!

Each type of material has a different rate of weathering.

Mechanical Weathering

Chemical Weathering

Rate of Weathering

Three factors are:

1.) Rock Characteristics: the physical way a rock looks

2.) Climate: Temperature and moisture

3.) Differential Weathering: Different parts of rock mass weather at different rates.

Just a little soil information

An important product of weathering

Supports growth of plants

Four major components: 1.) Mineral Matter: about 45% of the matter in soil

2.) Organic Matter: 5% (decayed things) 3.) Water: 25% water 4.) Air: 25% air

The Soil Profile

Soil varies in texture, composition, structure, and color at different levels.A Horizon – TopsoilB Horizon – SubsoilC Horizon – Bottom true to the parent material.

Soil Erosion

Water helps to remove the topsoil that we need to grow plants and trees.

Rates of Erosion: More plants, grass, and trees helps to hold the soil in place.

Human activity that removes these things help to speed up erosion.

Mass Movement

What is it?

The transfer of rock and soil down slope due to gravity.

Caused by weathering and erosion.

Triggers of Mass Movement

Water Saturating Surfaces creating mudflows

Oversteepened Slopes Water cuts under the bank of a river.

Removal of Vegetation Taking away plants and roots

Earthquakes Shake lose soil creating a landslide

Types of Mass Movement

Based on the kind of material, how it moves, the speed of the movement.

Rockfall – When rocks fall from a steep slope.

Slides – When land sides down suddenly. High mountain areas.

More types

Slumps – downward movement of a block of material in a curved surface.

Creep – the slowest form of movement.

Flows – mass amounts of movement 2 types:

1.) Mudflow – Moves quickly 2.) Earthflow – Moves slowly

All about Rocks

Random Rock Facts

Rocks contain clues that tell us about the environment that they were formed in. Example:

Rock with shells formed in a shallow ocean environment.

Volcanic rock formed near a volcano

Rocks

A solid mass of mineral or mineral – like matter that occurs naturally as part of our planet.

Three types: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary

The Rock Cycle

Interactions between Earth’s water, air, land, and living things can cause rocks to change from one type to another.

Igneous Rocks

Things to know: Magma: Under the Earth’s surface.

Lava: Magma that reaches the Earth’s surface.

When magma cools and hardens beneath the surface or a volcanic eruption.

Igneous Rocks Coarse Grained vs. Fine Grained

Glassy Texture vs. Porphyritic

Granite Comp vs. Basaltic Comp

Sedimentary Rocks

Weathering – a process where rocks are chemically and physically broken down.

Sediments are compacted and cemented together.

Sedimentary Rocks

Compaction and Cementation

Clastic and Chemical

Ripple Marks show where a river was.

Jellyfish fossil in sedimentary rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Bury sedimentary rocks deep within the Earth.

Increase pressure and temperature.

Change into Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Contact and Regional

Foliated and Nonfoliated

Energy to rock the Rock Cycle

Process are: From Earth’s interior – heat (igneous and metamorphic)

From Earth’s exterior – sun, weathering, movement or materials (sedimentary)