Term
| Fields of Study within Geology |
|
Definition
Geochemistry
Interdisciplinary Geology
Classical Geology
Remote Sensing
Geophysics |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| States that the same processes that are occurring today have occurred throughout geologic time. |
|
|
Term
| Nebular Hypothesis (4 Steps) |
|
Definition
1. Supernova and formation of primordial dust cloud
2.Condensation of primordial dust, forms disk-shaped nebular cloud rotating counter-clockwise
3. Proto sun and planets begin to form
4. Accretion of plantesimals and differentiation of planets and moons. |
|
|
Term
| Evidence that Supports the Nebular Hypothesis |
|
Definition
1. Planets and moons all revolve in a counter-clockwise direction and not at random.
2. Almost all planets and moons rotate on their axis in a counter-clockwise direction.
3. Planetary orbits are aligned along the sun’s equatorial plane (not randomly organized). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| small, rocky planets that are closest to the sun - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Large, gaseous planets that are far from the sun - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Inner/Outer Core
2. Lower/Upper Mantle
3. Crust
4. Oceans
5. Atmosphere |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Made of Iron and Nickle
- Inner core is hotter, but massive pressure makes inner core a solid |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Fe-Mg-Al Silicate Crust (Ocean and Continental) |
|
|
Term
| How does the earth become compositionally zoned? |
|
Definition
1. Accretion of planetesimals.
2. Initial heating due kinetic energy of colliding planetesimals and compressional heating.
3. Additional heating from radiocactive decay.
4. Iron catastrophe (melting temperarure of iron reached and dense iron-nickel sink to core and lighter materials are displaced outwards (including silicate rock of mantle and crust, ocean waters and atmospheric gases.
5. Earth become compositionally zoned based on density (Densest iron-nickel in core-least dense materials comprise the atmosphere).
6. Convective overturn in asthenosphere, mantle and outer core still occur today. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-Fastest seismic wave
-Can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-Second fastest seismic wave
-Can only travel through solids
-Refract because of velocity changes related to density changes within the earth.
-Accelerate with increasing density. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Visual of the Nebular Hypothesis
a. Supernova and formation of primordial dust cloud.
b. Condensation of primordial dust. Forms disk-shaped nubular cloud rotating counter-clockwise.
c. Proto sun and planets begin to form
d. Accreation of planetesimals and differentiation of planets and moons
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Iron catastrophe and differentiation of the earth. Think about transfer of heat when the earth is solid versus when it becomes completely molten following the iron catastrophe. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Degassing of the earth occurred following “iron catastrophe” and differentiation. Oceans and atmosphere form during the differentiation process. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Emissions during degassing. Note that oxygenation of the atmosphere occurs following evolution of plants that use photosynthesis in their life processes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
P Waves
- Fastest seismic wave
- Can travel through solids, liquids and gases
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
S-Waves
- Second fastest seismic wave
- Can only travel through solids
|
|
|
