Space Systems
Earth's History
Earth's Dynamic Interior & Crust
Weather & Climate
Earth History & Human Impact
100

Except for hydrogen and helium, all heavier elements in the universe are produced through this process over a star's life cycle.

What is nucleosynthesis / nuclear fusion?

100

Geologists have linked multiple mass extinctions to a lethal chain reaction where rising global temperatures slow down ocean circulation, resulting in a severe drop in this vital dissolved gas needed for marine life.

What is oxygen?

100

This type of crust contains ancient rock cores that can exceed 4 billion years old because it is less dense and escapes subduction.

What is continental crust?

100

These symbols and boundaries are identified on surface weather maps to track air mass interactions and predict regional storms.

What are fronts (or frontal boundaries)?

100

The capacity of a porous material to allow fluids (like liquids or gases) to pass through it.

What is permeability?

200

This universal attractive force, which depends on the masses of two objects and the distance between them, keeps planets in their stable orbits around the Sun.

What is gravity (or gravitational force)?

200

Supported by meteorite data and moon rocks, this is the scientifically accepted age of the Earth and our solar system. INCLUDE THE PAGE IN YOUR ESSRT!

What is 4.6 billion years?

200

This type of seismic energy can only pass through solids and provides evidence for differences in the state of matter for the Earth's interior layers

What is a s-wave / shear wave?

200

This atmosphere variable is characterized by asceding air, cloud formation, and precipitation

What is low pressure?

200

When engineers design environmental mitigation strategies, they must weigh societal benefits and trade-offs against these financial burdens.

What are economic costs?

300

This factor determines the lifespan of the Sun and other stars.


What is the mass?

300

This absolute dating method relies on the fixed, exponential decay rate of unstable radioactive isotopes within rocks and minerals.

What is radiometric dating?

300

Driven by internal thermal energy and radioactive decay, this slow, circular movement of material in the mantle serves as the engine for plate tectonics.

What is mantle convection?

300

This self-reinforcing climate loop occurs when melting glacial ice decreases Earth's albedo, causing more heat absorption and further accelerating the melting process.

What is a positive feedback loop?

300

This continuous biogeochemical cycle moves a primary life-sustaining element through the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

What is the carbon cycle?

400

This orbital factor is directly related to an object's orbital period

What is the distance from its star/planet it orbits?

400

Because active tectonic and surface recycling processes destroy Earth's earliest rocks, scientists study these pristine space objects to learn about the early solar system.

What are asteroids (or meteorites/lunar rocks)?

400

These physical and chemical substances serve as the fundamental building blocks that make up all igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

What are minerals?

400

While human actions or volcanic eruptions change climate over decades or years, shifts in Earth's orbit and axial orientation operate on this massive timescale to trigger ice ages.

What are tens to hundreds of thousands of years?

400

This global marine crisis occurs when the ocean absorbs excess atmospheric carbon dioxide generated by human activity, resulting in a drop in ocean water pH.

What is ocean acidification?

500

These TWO observations are the primary evidence evidence supporting the foundational theory of the universe's origin- The Big Bang .

What is Cosmic microwave background radiation and the observed red shift of distant galaxies?

500

The process, done by cyanobacteria in the ocean, that caused Earth's atmosphere to evolve.

What is photosynthesis?

500

Weathering, subduction, and erosion are classified as this type of surface force, which dynamically balances out constructive forces like volcanism and tectonic uplift.

What are destructive forces?

500

Due to its unique molecular structure, water can absorb, store, and release massive amounts of energy because it possesses a remarkably high capacity for this thermal property.

What is specific heat (or heat capacity)?

500

These Earth spheres would be affected by the mountain top mining of coal in an area.

NAME at least TWO sphere AND how they would be affected. (EXTRA 100 pts for each additional correct sphere AND affect.) 

What is...

Geosphere - surface of the earth is being altered, erosion is occurring

Hydrosphere/Atmosphere - air and water pollution

Biosphere - pollution effect human health and biodiversity / economic benefit for humans in biosphere. 

...?