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Earth History/Paleontology Study Guide Tentative Test Date: __________________ Earth’s geological features have changed over time. Fossils help scientists understand both Earth’s geological history and the history of life on Earth. Scientific Processes & Information Observe Theory To notice the properties of something. Observations can be made with your 5 senses (qualitative) or with measuring tools (quantitative). An idea, or “educated guess,” based on observations, to explain something that has happened or is expected to happen Some theories are accepted scientifically even though they are unable to be proven because they happened so long ago or far away, or are so small or large, that scientists will never be able to directly or clearly observe what has happened. Properties of Matter Mass The amount of matter in an object Measured in grams (g) Volume The amount of space an object takes up Measured in milliliters (mL) Density How packed the matter in an object is Measured in g/mL or g/cm3 Matter that is less dense usually floats on top of matter that is more dense. Matter that is more dense usually sinks below matter that is less dense. To find density, divide mass by volume! D=m/v ****How does this relate to the layers of the earth??? Earth Layers Crust Mantle Outer Core Inner Core Density The thin outer layer of Earth. There are 2 types of crust: continental and oceanic The layer of rock beneath Earth’s crust The inner part of the mantle is very hot, which makes it soft. The liquid layer of melted iron and nickel beneath the mantle The outer core is the source of Earth’s magnetic field. The center layer of Earth It is VERY HOT. Made of iron and nickel The inner core is under very heavy pressure, so it stays solid, even though it’s hot enough to be melted. How packed the matter in an object is From least to most dense, the layers of Earth are crust, mantle, outer core, inner core. (Less dense objects tend to float on more dense objects.) Plate Tectonics Landforms & Changes in Earth’s Surface Current and past plate movements have created geological features in the oceans (midocean ridges and trenches) and on continents (mountain ranges, such as the Appalachians and Himalayas). Landform A physical feature on Earth’s surface Plate or Tectonic Plate A rigid block of crust and upper mantle rock Earth’s crust is divided into approximately 12 major plates. Together the plates form the crust of the earth. The pieces fit together like a puzzle Boundary Fault Where two or more plates meet A break or place where pieces of Earth’s crust move Faults can be close to, or far away from, boundaries A shaking of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy in Earth’s crust, usually occurring at a boundary or fault Earthquake Volcano Magma A mountain formed by lava and ash Molten (Melted) rock beneath Earth’s crust (in the mantle) Lava Tsunami Magma when it is above Earth’s surface A huge wave or series of waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or other mass movement A supercontinent containing all of Earth’s land that existed about 225 million years ago The process of breaking rock into sediment (sand, soil and other tiny pieces) o Causes include weather (rain, snow, wind), gravity, flowing water (like a river), living things (tree roots) & chemicals (like acide rain). Pangea Weathering Erosion The movement of pieces of rock and sediment from one place to another Erosion can happen slowly over many hundreds of thousands of years, OR quickly like during a landslide. Types of Boundaries (Remember the graham cracker lab!) Convergent Boundary Divergent Boundary Transform Boundary A boundary where plates are moving toward each other Volcanoes, earthquakes and high mountains often occur at these boundaries. India and Asia are still converging, making the Himalayas higher each year! A boundary where plates are moving away from each other A fault might occur here A boundary where plates slide past each other, grinding, breaking, and slipping against each other Also called sliding or strike-slip boundary Earthquakes often occur at these boundaries.