UNIT 3: GEOLOGY
NAME
:____________________
Learning Objectives: Geology
MAJOR CONCEPT 1: The Fossil Record
o
Describe challenges investigating changes that take place over hundreds of millions of yearso
Describe how theories of geologic processes have changed over time (Hutton, Lyell, Wegener) (gradualism vs punctuated equilibrium)o
Explain how radioactive decay are used to estimate the age of mineral and fossilso
Interpret decay curves of elementso
Describe common types of fossilization (actual remains, molds or imprints, tracks, trails, or burrows)o
Describe the significance of the fossil record in Canada’s Burgess shaleo
Explain how sedimentary rock layers along with fossils can provide geologic evidence (i.e. index fossils) (for things like mass extinctions)o
Interpret simple stratigraphic sequenceso
Apply units of geologic timeo
Describe the major characteristics and life forms in the four eras (Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic)o
Explain why oxygen became a significant component of Earth’s atmosphere after the evolution of plants and chlorophyllMAJOR CONCEPT 2: Plate tectonics and Earth’s Crust
o
Describe how energy from earthquakes is transmitted by seismic waveso
Describe the Richter scaleo
Identify and distinguish between P and S waveso
Explain how seismic waves are used to understand the internal structure of Eartho
Identify the layers of the Eartho
Describe evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics (location of volcanoes and earthquakes, ocean floor spreading, mountain ranges, age of sediments, paleomagnetism)o
Explain how convection currents provide the driving force of plate tectonics (and thatradioactive decay MAY also be an explanation for the source of geothermal energy for plate tectonics)
MAJOR CONCEPT 3: Changes to Earth’s Climate
o
Describe evidence for repeated glaciation over large areas of Canadao
Explain how ice cores provide evidence of past climateo
Explain how changes to Earths climate and mass extinctions could be caused by: ! Earth’s orbit around the Sun! Inclination of earth’s axis ! Solar energy output ! Crustal movement ! Ocean currents
Learning Objectives:
2) Explain how convection of molten material provides the driving force of plate tectonics
3) Explain how radioactive decay (Nuclear Energy) might be the source of geothermal energy for plate tectonics. 4) List and describe the evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics;
- i.e., location of volcanoes and earthquakes, ocean floor spreading, mountain ranges, age of sediments, paleomagnetism 1) Identify and describe the layers of Earth (i.e., lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core and inner core) as classified by the physical properties of density, rigidity and thickness
1.1 - Earth's Crust & Tectonic Plates
Read Page 298 in your Textbook to Fill in the following table:
The Layers of the Earth:
Why density?
Theories about the Earth have Changed over time
Evidence for Theory of Continental Drift:
Evidence for Theory of Continental Drift:
Evidence for Theory of Continental Drift:
Evidence for Theory of Continental Drift:
Evidence for Theory of Continental Drift:
3 Main Ideas of Theory of Plate Tectonics:
1) The Earth's crust consists of seven giant pieces called plates
(plus a few smaller plates)
Where does this energy come from? _____________________________
3 Main Ideas of Theory of Plate Tectonics:
2) Movement occurs because of convection currents in the Asthenosphere (molten magma) under the plates.
Earthquake epicentres Volcano Activity
Learning Objectives:
1) Identify and describe P and S waves (propagation of motion, type of wave,
destructive ability and vibration).
2) Describe the relationship between Richter scale and an Earthquake's ground motion
and energy.
3) Explain how seismic waves are used understand the internal structure of Earth (i.e,
Outer Core is Liquid).
4) Locate the epicentre of Earthquake by triangulation.
EARTHQUAKES
(pp.343-351)
DO NOW:
-read pp.343-344
Cause of an Earthquake:
Energy is stored in the plates in the form of elastic potential energy, much like when a spring is compressed. When the stress becomes greater than the breaking strength of the rock, a break occurs in the fault. The stored energy is suddenly released.
Source of an Earthquake:
label the following words with the letters in the diagram below:
Types of Seismic Waves: Secondary Waves
Types of Seismic Waves: Surface Waves
Measuring Earthquakes (seismic waves):
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