Science
N
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. long and complex history.
FOCUS om CONCEPTS
How old is Earth?
What are Earth’s four major “spheres”? a What is the theory of plate tectonics?
Why should Earth be thought of as a system?
~ he spectacular eruption of a volcano, the magnificent scenery of a rocky coast, and the destruction created by a hurricane are all subjects for the Earth scientist. The study of Earth science deals with many fascinating and practical questions about our environment. Vllhat
1 forces produce mountains? Why is our daily weather so variable? Is climate really changing? How old is Earth, and how is it related to the other planets in the solar system? What causes ocean tides?
3 What was the Ice Age like? Will there be another? Can a successful well be located at this site?
The subject of this text is Earth science. To understand Earth is not an easy task, because our planet is not a static and unchanging mass. Rather, it is a dynamic body with many interacting parts and a
To assist you in learning the important concepts in this chapter, focus on the following questions: ea What are the sciences that collectively make up Earth science?
What are some examples of interactions between people and the natural environment?
Q How is a scientific hypothesis different from a scientific theory? on How did Earth and other planets in our solar system originate?
What are the principal divisions of the solid Earth? What criteria were used to establish these divisions?
What are the major features of the continents and ocean basins?
What Is Earth Science?
Earth science is the name for all the sciences that collectively seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in space. It includes geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. In this book, Units I-4 focus on the science of geology, a word that literally means “study of Earth.” Geology is traditionally divided into two broad areas: physical and historical.
Physical geology examines the
=1 'I=».'-\1. :--='=-'-e=
. long and complex history.
FOCUS om CONCEPTS
How old is Earth?
What are Earth’s four major “spheres”? a What is the theory of plate tectonics?
Why should Earth be thought of as a system?
~ he spectacular eruption of a volcano, the magnificent scenery of a rocky coast, and the destruction created by a hurricane are all subjects for the Earth scientist. The study of Earth science deals with many fascinating and practical questions about our environment. Vllhat
1 forces produce mountains? Why is our daily weather so variable? Is climate really changing? How old is Earth, and how is it related to the other planets in the solar system? What causes ocean tides?
3 What was the Ice Age like? Will there be another? Can a successful well be located at this site?
The subject of this text is Earth science. To understand Earth is not an easy task, because our planet is not a static and unchanging mass. Rather, it is a dynamic body with many interacting parts and a
To assist you in learning the important concepts in this chapter, focus on the following questions: ea What are the sciences that collectively make up Earth science?
What are some examples of interactions between people and the natural environment?
Q How is a scientific hypothesis different from a scientific theory? on How did Earth and other planets in our solar system originate?
What are the principal divisions of the solid Earth? What criteria were used to establish these divisions?
What are the major features of the continents and ocean basins?
What Is Earth Science?
Earth science is the name for all the sciences that collectively seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in space. It includes geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. In this book, Units I-4 focus on the science of geology, a word that literally means “study of Earth.” Geology is traditionally divided into two broad areas: physical and historical.
Physical geology examines the