Earth Systems 3209

The nebular hypothesis

I can describe the four stages of the nebular hypothesis for how our solar system formed.

Formation of Earth's layers

I can describe how Earth segregated into layers and identify the crust, mantle, and core.

A dynamic Earth and its spheres

I can explain that Earth is a dynamic planet and that its processes operate within interacting spheres.

Uniformitarianism

I can define uniformitarianism and distinguish absolute from relative time.

Principles of relative dating

I can apply the principles used to establish relative time and interpret geological cross-sections.

Interpreting geological cross-sections

I can construct and interpret geological cross-sections to reconstruct the sequence of events in an area.

Theories of Earth's internal structure

I can describe how we infer Earth's internal structure and evaluate the limits of that understanding.

Radiometric dating and absolute time

I can explain how radioactive half-lives are used to estimate absolute ages.

Fossils and fossilization

I can define a fossil, describe the conditions for fossilization, and describe how different fossil types form.

Using fossils and evidence of change

I can describe how fossils are used to distinguish geologic time and how evidence shows Earth has changed over time.

Divisions of the geologic time scale

I can describe how the geologic time scale is divided and why Precambrian time is the largest part.

Eras and their dominant life forms

I can distinguish the Phanerozoic eras and list the dominant life forms of each.

Evidence that Earth has changed over time

I can describe geological evidence that life, climate, continents, and the crust have changed over time.

Atoms, compounds, and mineral chemistry

I can define mineral chemistry terms and describe how atoms combine to form compounds.

Abundance of crustal elements

I can outline the elements that make up Earth's crust and relate their abundance to the mineral groups.

Defining minerals and mineral groups

I can define a mineral and name and differentiate the major mineral groups.

The silicate tetrahedron

I can describe the silica tetrahedron and how it builds silicate minerals.

Identifying minerals by properties

I can use mineral properties to identify minerals and distinguish minerals from rocks.

Rocks versus minerals

I can differentiate between rocks and minerals.

Igneous rocks: composition

I can classify igneous rocks by mineral composition and distinguish mafic from felsic.

Igneous texture and Bowen's series

I can relate igneous texture to cooling rate and use Bowen's reaction series to explain crystallization order.

Identifying igneous rocks and kimberlite

I can identify igneous rocks from composition and texture and describe how kimberlite relates to diamonds.

Formation and classes of sedimentary rocks

I can describe how sedimentary rocks form and name their main classes.

Clastic sedimentary rocks

I can identify clastic sedimentary rocks and relate their grain size and sorting to the current that deposited them.

Chemical and biochemical sedimentary rocks

I can identify chemical and biochemical sedimentary rocks and describe their environments, including coal formation.

The process of metamorphism

I can describe metamorphism, the changes it causes, and identify metamorphic rocks.

Types and locations of metamorphism

I can contrast contact and regional metamorphism and describe where each occurs.

Plate boundaries and rift valleys

I can describe the three types of plate boundaries with examples and explain how a rift valley becomes a divergent boundary.

Evidence for plate tectonics

I can analyse the evidence for plate tectonics theory.

Crustal deformation and stress

I can describe the forces and stresses that deform the crust and the factors that affect deformation.

Faults and folds

I can describe faults and folds and relate them to the stresses that produce them.

Earthquakes and plate boundaries

I can define earthquake terminology and relate earthquake locations to plate boundaries.

Seismic waves and measuring earthquakes

I can describe seismic waves, how they are recorded, and how earthquakes are measured.

Earthquake scales

I can distinguish earthquake scales and explain how Richter amplitude and energy change per unit.

Volcanoes and eruptions

I can distinguish volcano types and eruption styles and relate them to magma chemistry and plate setting.

Hotspots and sphere interactions

I can describe hotspot volcanism, lava plateaus, and the interactions among the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere.

Minerals, exploration, and ore processing

I can describe the importance of minerals, how extraction has evolved, and how ore is processed.

Processing ore materials

I can describe the processes and techniques used to process ore materials into usable resources.

Petroleum formation and kerogen

I can describe how petroleum forms from organic matter, including the role of kerogen.

Petroleum traps and reservoirs

I can describe petroleum traps, their types, and how petroleum distributes in a reservoir.

Extracting and refining petroleum

I can describe how petroleum is extracted and refined and identify factors in developing resources sustainably.