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GEOLOGY & CLIMATOLOGY
RVCS Honors World Geography
Weatherman Video
▪ [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXuc7SAyk2s
Definitions
▪ Geology—The study of the physical earth
▪ Climatology—The study of the climate
2 Views of Geology
▪ Catastrophism—The belief that the
physical earth ought to be interpreted in
light of a historical catastrophic event(s).
▪ Uniformitarianism—The belief that
geology has gradually and consistently
changed over time.
Is Uniformitarianism a Philosophy or
Science?
▪ [video] Expelled, interview w/ Richard Dawkins
▪ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlZtEjtlirc
Just Scratching the Surface…
▪ Atmosphere—The covering of air surrounding our planet
▪ Lithosphere—The solid part of the earth
▪ Hydrosphere—The water on the earth’s surface
Layers of the Earth
▪ [video, uniformitarian] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGXi_9A__Vc
▪ Crust (4.5—31 mi. deep)
▪ Mantle
▪ Outer Core
▪ Inner Core
▪ A literally “deep” question: Why do you think God designed
the earth with these layers?
Major Landforms
▪ 1) Mountains
▪ What’s the difference between a “hill” and a “mountain”?
▪ How do the Appalachian Mts. affect us in Virginia?
▪ [Game] http://world-geography-games.com/mountain_ranges.html
▪ 2) Plains
▪ There is a difference between low elevation and level land (e.g., the
Altiplano)
▪ 3) Plateaus
▪ Wide areas of flat land that abruptly rise in elevation
▪ Example: The Grand Canyon
The Earth’s Waters
▪ Discussion: Why is water important?
The Earth’s Waters
▪ Uniqueness: So far, scientists have not found another
planet in our solar system that possesses liquid water.
▪ [link] http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/et-oceans.html
The Earth’s Waters
▪ 1) Oceans—71 % of the earth’s surface is covered by
water, with oceans accounting for 97.1 % of all water.
▪ 2) Rivers
▪ Tributaries—These are rivers that “feed” others.
▪ The Amazon—So much water is discharged from the
Amazon River into the Atlantic Ocean that water remains
drinkable for about 200 miles into the ocean.
▪ Discuss: How have rivers played an important part in
history?
The Earth’s Waters
▪ 3) Lakes—They were likely developed as the result of the Ice
Age (and possibly the Flood as well). Lakes are surrounded by
land.
▪ What’s the difference between a “lake” and “pond”?
▪ What’s a “reservoir”?
▪ [link] http://www.lakescientist.com/lake-facts/how-lakes-differ/
▪ Another “deep” question: How did fish get into the lakes?
▪ [link] https://answersingenesis.org/the-flood/how-could-fish-survive-thegenesis-flood/
▪ 4) Seas—They are located where the ocean and land begin to
meet, though they differ greatly in size.
The Earth’s Surface-Changing Forces
▪ Plate Tectonics Theory—The belief that the earth’s crust is broken into
pieces called plates, and that these plates crash into and pull apart from
one another, releasing energy from the earth’s interior.
▪ Severe Results: Earthquakes & Volcanoes
▪ Faults vs. Folds (see pg. 38)
▪ [video] http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/101-videos/earthquake101
▪ Weathering—The breaking down of rocks (though it is “destructive,” it
benefits the soil)
▪ Erosion—The removal of broken down rocks (e.g., wind or waves)
▪ Glaciers—Large masses of ice and snow that move downhill (thanks to
gravity)
Pangaea
▪ Pangaea—The theory that the land on earth was once a “supercontinent.”
▪ [video, watch w/ discernment]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvIDxu7twpc
▪ The Cause/Effect Issue—Many Christians and non-Christians believe that
Pangaea existed, but what caused such a cataclysmic event? The shifting of
tectonic plates is the most common reason, but if we accept that the Flood
occurred, which would have included the shifting of tectonic plates, then
it’s perfectly reasonable to believe in both Pangaea and in Christianity.
▪ Different Interpretations—Non-Christians look to unguided “naturalism,”
while many Christians look to God’s providence in guiding the natural
world.
The Earth’s Climate
▪ Seasons
▪ The U.S., as well as many others in the “Temperate Zone’
(between the Tropics and Poles)
▪ “Rainy” and “Dry” near equator
▪ Extreme darkness/sunlight in Alaska
▪ Wind—Warm and cold air masses
▪ [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2mec3vgeaI
The Earth’s Vegetation
▪ Forests
▪ Tropical Rain Forests—Found in the tropics, these rain forests have poor soil but unique
features.
▪ Shrub Forests—They exist where dry summers do not provide sufficient rain for trees to
reach great heights (e.g., the Mediterranean).
▪ Coniferous Forests—They have trees which produce their seeds in a “cone.” Generally,
they are located in colder regions and have pines and firs (evergreens).
▪ Deciduous Forests—They have trees which lose their leaves during a particular season of
the year. (Blue Ridge Pkwy.)
▪ [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUTw5xegyG8
▪ Grasslands
▪ Wastelands (Desert or Tundra)
▪ [documentary] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQeNOiYL3AQ
Weatherman Competition
▪ [link] http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/25430933
▪ 1 Student will be the videographer (Phone)
▪ 1 Student will be the main news broadcaster that introduces
each weatherman
▪ Each weatherman will present the following (wdbj7):
▪ 1) Doppler radar map of Virginia [local weather & temperature]
▪ 2) Highs & Lows
▪ 3) 7-Day Forecast