Earth Science
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Transcript of Earth Science
Earth Science
Chapter 1-2
1. Lithosphere
2. Hydrosphere
3. Atmosphere
4. Biosphere
The Four Great Realms
Atmosphere• The layer of gases that surround and
form an envelope around the Earth.–Consists of several gases
•Nitrogen – 78%•Oxygen – 21%•CO2, H2O, •others – 1%
Lithosphere• Earth's solid, rocky outer layer
–The continents, islands and ocean floors
Hydrosphere• All of the water present on the planet
–Oceans, lakes, streams, ice caps, snow, glaciers, etc.
Biosphere• That area of the land, water and
air that contains life!
•Litho = solid rock•Atmos = air•Hydro = water•Bio = Life•Sphere = round
1. To which sphere do all of earth’s inhabitants belong?
2. What is earth’s hydrosphere made of?
3. Where is water in the gaseous state found?
4. To which sphere do mountains, valleys, and other pieces of land belong?
Which earth systems interact for following –
1.Glaciers carved Yosemite valley
2. Most of California’s earthquakes are caused by movement of rocks along the San Andreas Fault System
3. Many of the mudslides in northern California occur when snow melts
4. Sequoias and redwoods grow in some of the forests in California
5. The Pacific Ocean borders western California
6. Death Valley is one of the hottest, driest places on earth
Energy Transfer• Moving object• Waves
electromagnetic waves
Heat flow – heat flows from a warmer object to a colder object
Branches of Earth Science
• Geology – geo = earth• Meteorology• Environmental Science
The Earth’s Surface• Topography:
The shape of the land. The topography of an area includes the area's elevation, relief, and landforms.
Elevation - Relief• Elevation -height above sea level• Relief - difference between the
highest and the lowest points of an area
Landforms• 3 main types: • Plains• mountains • plateaus
Plains: made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief
Coastal plains
Interior plains
•Mountains: made up of high elevation and high relief.
Mountain range: Group of mountains closely related in shape, structure, and age
Mountain System: Different ranges in an area
Mountain Belt: Mountain ranges and Mountain systems in a long connected chain
Plateaus: high elevation and a more or less level surface
Landform Elevation Relief
Plain Low Low
Mountain High High
Plateaus High Low
Earth’s Grid – Equator & Prime Meridian
Prime Meridian goes through Greenwich, England
Equator is half way between the North & South pole
Latitude & Longitude• Latitude: the distance north or
south of the equator
• Longitude: the distance east or west of the prime meridian
Both latitude & longitude are measured in degrees
Latitude & Longitude
Topographic Maps
•They provide information on the elevation, relief, and slope of the ground surface
Reading a Topo Map• Contour
lines–Thin lines that connect points of equal elevation.
• Contour interval
Spaces between
the contour lines.
It shows the change in elevation from contour line to
contour line.
Index contourThick, darker lines, usually every fifth contour line.
Interpreting Contour Lines• Closely spaced contour lines
indicate steep slopes.
• Widely spaced contour lines are used for gentle slopes or flatter areas.
•Closed loop with no other contour lines inside it indicates a hilltop.
• V-shaped contour lines pointing uphill indicate a valley.
• V-shaped contour lines pointing downhill indicate a ridge.
A closed loop with dashes inside – a depression or hollow in the ground
Making a Topo Map