Scribd
Upload
142 views

Understanding Earth

Geologists seek to understand the composition and evolution of Earth by studying its layers, from the iron core to the crust and lithosphere. They use scientific methods like collecting seismic data to map the planet's interior structure. Key findings include that Earth formed over billions of years, with denser materials sinking to the core and lighter components rising nearer the surface. Plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and Earth's internal heat engine continue shaping the planet today.

Uploaded by

JIENNY LOU TENGCO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
142 views

Understanding Earth

Geologists seek to understand the composition and evolution of Earth by studying its layers, from the iron core to the crust and lithosphere. They use scientific methods like collecting seismic data to map the planet's interior structure. Key findings include that Earth formed over billions of years, with denser materials sinking to the core and lighter components rising nearer the surface. Plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and Earth's internal heat engine continue shaping the planet today.

Uploaded by

JIENNY LOU TENGCO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

Understanding Earth

The Earth System


Geologists seek answers to many basic questions:
• Of what material is the planet composed?
• Why are there continents and oceans?
• How did the Himalaya, Alps, and Rocky Mountains rise to their
great heights?
• Why are some regions subject to earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions while others are not?
• How did Earth’s surface environment and the life it contains
evolve over billions of years?
• What changes are likely in the future?
ØGeneral procedure for discoving how the universe works
through systematic observations and experiments.
ØUsing scientific method to make new discoveries and to
confirm old ones
“SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH”

HYPOTHESIS

The Scientific
Method
ØEarth is billions of years old
ØCoal is a rock formed from dead plant

ØThe burning of fossil fuels is causing global warming

Scientific Hypothesis about


Earth
ØScientist go to their laboratories; Geologist go to the field
Geology as a Science

Geology as Science
ØPeeling through seismic waves
Geology as a Science
Øusing Seismometers, it allows geologist to record earthquakes and
to make picture of the Earth’s inner workings

ØGeology as earth science


ØOceanography
ØMeteorology
ØEcology

Discovery of Layered Earth


Earth’s major layers, showing
their depths and their masses
expressed as a percentage of
Earth’s total mass.

Earth’s Shape and Surface


ØEarth’s Density
Ø 5.5 g/cm3 according to Henry Cavindish

Ø The mantle and Core


Ø Cames from a hypothesis that iron and nickel in its interior had dropped
inward to its center under the force of gravity

Ø The crust
Ø is composed of low-density silicates, which are rich in aluminum and
potassium, from the higher density silicates of the mantle, which ctains
more magnesium and iron

Earth’s Shape and Surface


Ø The Inner Core
Ø is a solid metallic sphere suspended within the liquid outer core

Earth’s Shape and Surface


Ø Chemical Composition of Earth’s Major Layers

Earth’s Shape and Surface


Earth’s internal heat
Solar energy is responsible engine is powered by
for our climate and weather. heat trapped during its
origin…

Meteors move mass


from the cosmos to Earth.

Earth as a System of Interacting


Component
Ø Atmospher
Ø Hydrospher
Ø Biosphere
Ø Cryosphere
Ø Lithospher

The Climate System


Ø Lithosphere
Ø Asthenosphere
Ø Deep Mantle

The Plate Tectonic System

You might also like