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GEOLOGY
What is geology?
It is essentially the study
of the earth and it’s
dynamic processes.
Features and processes of
rocks, the earth’s interior
and surface.
Structure of the Earth
Made up of three
main parts:
1. Core
2. Mantle
3. Crust
1. Core – Inner core
is solid mainly
made out of iron
and nickel. Outer
core is liquid.
Extremely hot
(4,300*C)
Structure of the Earth
2. Mantle – Largest zone of the interior. Solid
rock made of mainly iron, silicon, oxygen and
magnesium.
Near the outermost part, is a very hot, partially
melted zone of rock that flows like soft
plastic. This part is called the athenosphere.
The outermost part is called the lithosphere.
Structure of the Earth
3. Crust – the outermost and thinnest
layer of the earth. Consists of the
continental crust and oceanic crust.
Made up of eight elements, mostly
oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, etc.
The lithosphere contains the outermost
part of the mantle and all of the crust.
Internal Processes of the earth.
Convection cells
and mantle plumes
PLATE TECTONICS
The outer most crust (or lithosphere)
are made up of solid rock plates that
move on the athenosphere.
The theory explaining the movements
of plates and the processes that occur
at their boundaries is called plate
tectonics.
Pgs. 214-215 in text
Plate Boundaries
Divergent plate
boundary – when
the plates move
apart in opposite
directions.
Forms volcanoes
and earthquakes.
Plate Boundaries
Convergent plate
boundary – when the
plates move together.
The denser plate is
subducted under the
lighter plate. This
forms a trench.
Can cause earthquakes
and volcanoes.
Plate Boundaries
Places where plates
slide past each
other are called
transform
boundaries (fault).
Causes earthquakes.
External Processes of the Earth
External processes are driven by the
energy of the sun. (instead of the heat
of the earth in internal processes)
External processes tend to degrade the
crust. (instead of the changing/renewal
processes of internal processes)
External Processes of the Earth
Erosion
is when the earth’s surface is worn away
by wind, water, or human influence.
Weathering is the main natural means for
erosion.
Erosion
What is soil?
Soil is….
Pieces of rock
Minerals
Decaying organic matter
Water
Air
Living organisms
All mixed together!
Soil Horizons – the layers of soil
O-horizon: the
surface litter. Mainly
black or brown
A-horizon: the top
soil layer. Made out
of humus.
Both of these layers
have abundant living
organisms and root
systems.
Soil Horizons
B-horizon: the
subsoil. More rock
and less humus.
C-horizon: the
parent material.
Bedrock.
Soil
Renewable or nonrenewable?
Varies in content of…
Clay – very fine particles, low permeability, high
water retention, feels sticky when wet, very little
air or nutrients.
Silt – fine particles, good permeability, good water
retention, feels gritty, good amount of air and
nutrients.
Sand – large particles, fast permeability, low water
retention, large amount of air. Very little nutrients.
Loam – equal amounts of silt and sand with a little
less of clay. Ideal for living organisms.
Soil types
What can cause soil erosion?
1. Wind
2. Water
How do humans
affect soil erosion?
Shopping malls
Urban sprawl –
destroying natural
habitats
Farming/Timber
Irrigation
Leaf Biomass/ Litter Investigation
Each group will have one lab write-up for the investigation.
Background information at leaf litter:
What is leaf litter? Why is it important? What is biomass?
Questions raised in the investigations:
How much difference in biomass is there between a single tree and a forest?
Is there a difference in biomass in a forest, comparing a location in the center
of the canopy and on the edge of the canopy?
Hypothesis generated:
Predictions about the experiment:
Materials used:
Outside materials:
Inside materials:
Description of lab set-up and procedures followed:
Describe your lab set-up.
Indoor observation procedures.(Looking at the leaf litter)
Observations made at group sites: #1, #2 and #3.
Observations made in the classroom with collected sample:
Drawings and a data table of life found.