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Transcript
History of Earth By: Mr. Kauffman Outline • Early History of Earth • Structure of Earth • Changing Structure of Earth • Plate Tectonics • Evidence of Early Life • How Old is Something • Fossil Record • History of Life on Earth Early History of Earth • How old is the Earth? – 4.6 billion years old (4,600,000,000) • How do scientists explain how the Earth formed? – Big Bang Theory – Large explosion 1015 billion years ago – Created the universe Expanding Universe Early History of Earth • What was Earth like at first? – Very hot; constant volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts – Atmosphere consisting of Ammonia, Methane, Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, and Nitrogen – What was missing? •Oxygen Structure of Earth • The Earth consists of 4 layers 1. Crust 2. Mantle 3. Outer core 4. Inner core – The crust and mantle are called the lithosphere Structure of Earth Structure of Earth Crust Mantle Outer core Inner core Changing Structure of Earth • Continental drift: idea that says the Earth’s continents are slowly moving across the Earth’s surface – Pangea – supercontinent that existed 200 to 300 million years ago Changing Structure of Earth • Plate tectonics: scientific theory that explains the features and movement of the Earth’s surface in the present and past – The Earth’s crust is divided into several sections called tectonic plates Changing Structure of Earth Changing Structure of Earth – These plates are constantly gliding/moving over the top of the mantle – The movement of the plates is driven by thermal (heat) energy of the Earth Plate Tectonics • There are 3 types of tectonic plate boundaries (places where the tectonic plates meet) 1. Divergent – occurs when the plates move away from each other • The space created between the plates is filled by magma which solidifies into rock Plate Tectonics • There are 3 types of tectonic plate boundaries (places where the tectonic plates meet) 2. Convergent – occurs when the plates collide together • Forms mountains over long periods of time Plate Tectonics • There are 3 types of tectonic plate boundaries (places where the tectonic plates meet) 3. Transform – occurs when the plates slide past each other • Causes earthquakes Evidence of Early Life • Fossil: remains or imprints of long dead organisms preserved in the Earth’s surface – 2 basic types of fossils 1. Imprint: footprints or plant impressions 2. Remains: bones or teeth Evidence of Early Life How Old is Something • How do scientists determine the age of a fossil? – Relative Dating: examine how deep the fossil is buried • the deeper it is buried, the older it is – Radiometric Dating: study radioactive elements found in the fossil and rocks around it Fossil Record • Collection of all types of fossilized organisms that have been discovered • Millions of species of fossilized organisms have been discovered – Estimated to be about 2% of all species that have lived on Earth – New species are still being found • 2 patterns can be observed – Fossils appear in order • Not random, not mixed together • Example – don’t find human remains with dinosaur remains – As we progress through time, fossils look more and more like modern day creatures Fossil Record Fossil Record Fossil Record Fossil Record Fossil Record History of Life on Earth • Time frames are divided into periods – Jurassic is one example – Each period has certain characteristics specific to it • What it looks like • What lives there • Factors that determine what life could be found on Earth – Amount of oxygen – Continental shift – Meteors – Volcanoes – Climate Meteorite Craters ¾ of a mile in diameter 111 miles in diameter