Geology Exam 1 Notes PDF

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Geology Exam 1 study guide with reference pictures...

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Geology Exam 1 Notes: Geology - The science that pursues an understanding of planet Earth. Physical Geology - examines the materials composing Earth and seeks to understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface Historical Geology - seeks an understanding of the origin of Earth and its development through time.

Catastrophism - James Ussher: believed that Earth's landscapes had been shaped primarily by catastrophes. Uniformitarianism - James Hutton; states that the physical, chemical, and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the geologic past. Science - A process of producing knowledge based on making observations and developing explanations. Data are essential to science Hypothesis A tentative explanation Theory - A well-tested and widely accepted view that the scientific community agrees best explains certain observable facts Hydrosphere - All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans Atmosphere - the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth Geosphere - the solid part of the earth Biosphere - All plant and animal life

Earth System - Interacting Parts that form a complex whole Earth System Science - Aims to study Earth as a system composed of numerous interacting parts, or subsystems. Nebular Theory - the bodies of our solar system evolved from an enormous rotating cloud (solar nebular) Formation of Earth's layered structure - Metals sank to the center - Molten rock rose to produce a primitive crust - Chemical differentiation established the three basic divisions of Earth's interior - Primitive atmosphere evolved from volcanic gases Earth's three layers - crust, mantle, core Crust - The thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth above the mantle. oceanic crust - 7 km thick and composed of basalt continental crust - 35-70 km thick and composed of granodiorite Mantle - The layer of hot, 2900 km thick solid material between Earth's crust and core. Composed of peridotite core -

Center of the earth. Composed of an iron nickel allow

Earth's Internal Structure - lithosphere, asthenosphere, transition zone, lower mantle, outer core, inner core Lithosphere - the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. Asthenosphere - the soft, weak layer below the lithosphere

transition zone - a zone marked by a sharp increase in density below the asthenosphere lower mantle - a zone of strong, very hot rocks subjected to gradual flow below the transition zone outer core - liquid outer layer of the core inner core - solid inner layer of the core Rocks igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic rock cycle - A series of processes on the surface and inside Earth that slowly changes rocks from one kind to another igneous rock - cooling and solidification of molten rock sedimentary rock - forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together metamorphic rock - rock that has been changed by heat and pressure Ocean basins - areas that are below sea level, composed of 7 km thick of basaltic rocks Continents - Large land masses composed of granitic rocks 35 km thick 0.8 km above sea level continental margins - a boundary between continental crust and oceanic crust continental shelf - A gently sloping region of continental crust extending from the shore continental slope - a relatively steep drop-off that extends from the outer edge of the continental shelf to the floor of the deep ocean

continental rise - A thick deposit of loose sediments that creates a transition from the continental slope to the deep, relatively flat ocean floor.

deep-ocean basin - portion of seafloor between the continental margin and the oceanic ridges abyssal plain - a flat feature of the deep-ocean basin deep-ocean trenches - deep and narrow depressions that make up a small portion of the ocean floor Seamount - small volcanic structures that dot the ocean floor mountain belt - the most prominent features of continents Shields - Expansive, flat regions composed of deformed crystalline rock. stable platform - Flat portions of cratons covered with sedimentary rocks The big bang - the formation of the universe

metamorphic grade - the degree to which the parent rock changes during metamorphism nonfoliated rock - marble, quartzite, and hornfels marble - crystalline rock from limestone or dolostone parent. main mineral is calcite. Impurities in parent rock give many colors to rock quartzite - formed from parent rock of quartz sandstone. Quartz grains are fused together. White at purest form...