Basic Earth Facts
（基础地球常识）
（基础地球常识）
What is the study of countries, oceans and cities called?研究国家、海洋和城市的学科叫什么？
Geography n. 地理(学)
Geography teaches us about lands, seas, cities and places all over the world.地理就是学习世界各地的国家、大海、城市和地形哦。
What color represents water on most maps?
Blue
What do we call the pieces of Earth's crust?
Plates 板块
Name one natural disaster.说出一种自然灾害。
Earthquake/Volcano/Flood etc.
These are powerful natural events that can change the land, like shaking ground or erupting mountains.这些是大自然里很厉害的 “大事件”，会改变我们的生活，比如地会摇、山会喷火、水会漫上来。
How many continents are there on Earth?地球上有几个大洲？
Seven
The big land pieces on Earth are split into seven big parts, called continents.地球上的大块陆地被分成了七个大板块，我们叫它们大洲。
What is the study of rocks and soil called?研究岩石和土壤的学科叫什么？
Geology n. 地质学
Geology looks at rocks, dirt and what the inside of the Earth is like.地质学专门研究石头、泥土，还有地球内部的样子。
Where do you find the explanation of map symbols?在哪里可以看懂地图上的各类符号？
The legend/key 图例
The legend tells you what each small picture or mark on the map means.
What is the name of the theory that says plates move?那个认为地壳板块会移动的理论叫什么名字？
Plate tectonics板块结构学
What is a volcano?
A mountain that can erupt with lava
It’s a special mountain where hot, melted rock (lava) from inside the Earth can burst out.这是一座特别的山，地球里面滚烫的 “石头水”（岩浆）会从山顶喷出来。
What is the name of the supercontinent that existed long ago?很久以前的 “超级大陆” 叫什么？
Pangaea泛大陆（盘古大陆）
Long ago, all the continents were stuck together in one huge supercontinent called Pangaea.很久很久以前，所有的大洲都连在一起，变成了一块超大的大陆，叫盘古大陆。
Name the four layers of the Earth from outside to inside.
Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core地壳、地幔、外核、内核
What is a map scale used for?地图比例尺有什么用处？
To find real distance from map distance
It helps us know how far two places really are in real life.它能帮我们算出，地图上两个地方在现实中相隔多远。
What do we call the boundary where plates slide past each other?我们把板块相互滑动的边界称为什么？
Transform boundary 转换边界：板块横向擦过、滑移
When two tectonic plates slide past each other side by side, this is a transform boundary. As they rub and get stuck, pressure builds up, and when it suddenly releases, earthquakes happen.地球的两块 “大拼图”（板块），像两块并排的橡皮擦一样，贴着地面互相擦肩而过。它们在摩擦的过程中容易卡住，越卡越用力，最后突然 “啪” 地一下滑开，就会引发地震啦！
What is an earthquake?
A sudden shaking of the Earth's surface
When the ground suddenly shakes because of moving plates, that’s an earthquake.因为板块突然滑动，地面会像被大力摇晃一样，这就是地震啦。
Which layer of the Earth is the thinnest?地球的哪一层最薄？
The crust地壳
The crust is the Earth’s outer “skin,” and it’s super thin, like the shell of an egg.地壳就像地球的 “蛋壳”，是所有层里最薄的，比鸡蛋壳还要薄很多很多。
Which layer of the Earth is the hottest?
The inner core 内核
What do green and red usually mean on a map?
Green=land/forests
Red=cities/roads
What do we call the boundary where plates move apart?板块相互分开的边界叫什么？
Divergent boundary 离散边界：板块相互分开
When two tectonic plates move away from each other, this is a divergent boundary. Magma from under the Earth rises up to fill the gap, cools down, and forms new crust (new land/sea floor).两块 “大拼图” 慢慢向两边分开，中间裂开一条大缝。地下滚烫的岩浆会从缝里冒出来，遇到冷空气冷却变硬，就变成了新的地壳（新的土地或海底），就像给地球 “补了一块新拼图”！
Where do most earthquakes and volcanoes happen?大多数地震和火山都发生在哪里？
Along plate boundaries沿着板块边界
Earthquakes and volcanoes usually happen where two puzzle pieces meet, rub, or crash.地震和火山大多发生在两块拼图（板块）接触、摩擦或碰撞的地方。
What is the name of the famous transform fault in California?加州那条著名的转换断层叫什么？
San Andreas Fault圣安德烈亚斯断层
It’s a famous crack in the Earth where two plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.这是美国加州一条很有名的 “大裂缝”，两块板块在这儿互相滑过，经常会引发地震。
Which two layers affect life on Earth's surface the most? Explain why.地球哪两层对地表生物影响最大？
Crust and upper mantle.
The thin outer layer of Earth is the crust — this is where we live, play and grow food.Under it is the upper mantle. Its moving makes earthquakes and volcanoes, which change our living world.
地球最外面薄薄的一层是地壳，我们所有人都住在这一层上。地壳下面是上地幔，它不停运动，会带来地震、火山，深深影响我们的生活。
Explain how you would use a map scale to find the distance between two cities.如何用比例尺计算两座城市的实际距离？
First use a ruler to measure the length on the map. Then multiply by the scale number, and you get the real distance.先用尺子量出地图上两座城市的长度，再乘以比例尺数值，就能得到真实距离啦。
What do we call the boundary where plates collide v. 碰撞? What forms there?我们把板块相撞的地方叫作什么？这里会出现什么呢？
Convergent boundary. Mountains and volcanoes form there.碰撞边界。这里会形成高山和火山。
When two tectonic plates crash into each other, this is a convergent boundary. The pushing forces the land to crumple up into mountains, or one plate slides under the other, melting into magma that erupts to form volcanoes.两块 “大拼图” 用力撞在一起，谁也不让谁。被挤得拱起来的地方，就会慢慢变成高高的山脉；如果一块拼图钻到另一块下面，被地球内部的热量融化，变成岩浆喷出来，就会形成火山啦！
Name three types of natural disasters and explain one way to stay safe during it.说出三种自然灾害，并解释其中一种的安全做法。
For example: 1. Earthquake, 2. Volcano, 3. Flood.
During an earthquake, drop, cover, and hold on under a table.比如：1. 地震 2. 火山 3. 洪水。地震时可以躲在桌子底下，抱住桌子保护自己哦。
What is continental drift? Who first proposed this idea?什么是大陆漂移？谁最先提出这个想法？
Continents slowly move over time. Alfred Wegener.大陆会随时间慢慢移动。阿尔弗雷德・魏格纳。
This is the idea that continents move slowly across the Earth, like big boats floating on water. A scientist named Alfred Wegener first thought of this.这个想法说，大洲会像水上的大船一样，在地球上慢慢移动。是一位叫魏格纳的科学家最先提出的哦。