Earth History
What do rock layers (strata) tell us about Earth?
The story of Earth’s past
What is the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces called?
Weathering
What tool helps us identify and analyze Earth’s surface features?
Maps
Topographic Maps
Name one of Earth’s four major systems.
Geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, or biosphere
What is a fossil?
Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms)
What do fossils help scientists learn about?
Past environments and life forms
What is the process that moves weathered material?
Erosion
What do mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes show us?
Tectonic plate boundaries
What is most of Earth’s water made of?
Salt Water
What is the geosphere made of?
Rocks, minerals, landforms
What causes landscapes to change over millions of years?
Many Earth processes
Name one force (element) that can cause weathering or erosion.
Water, ice, wind, or plants
What do topographic maps show?
Shape and elevation of landforms
Where is fresh water found?
Lakes, rivers, groundwater, and ice
What does a tectonic plate do?
It moves slowly and makes up Earth’s crust
What does our relatives dating help determine?
The sequence of events in Earth’s history
What two factors affect how fast erosion happens?
Slope steepness and vegetation
Name one natural hazard that impacts humans.
Floods, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions
How do Earth’s systems interact?
In complex ways that affect each other
What is a natural hazard?
A natural event that can harm people or property
Ex: Tornado, Hurricane, Tsunami
What do tilted or folded rock layers indicate?
Crustal movement
What happens during deposition?
Eroded material settles in a new location
Who designs solutions to reduce the impact of natural hazards?
Engineers
What can humans do to protect Earth's resources?
Practice conservation
No pollution
Recyling
What is a topographic map used for?
Showing elevation and landforms with contour lines