JEG100H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Plate Tectonics, Continental Rise, Geosphere
27 Sep 2016
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Earth science seeks to collectively understand earth and its neighbors in space. Rock record can show oxygen levels in past. Composition and movement of seawater, coastal processes, seafloor topography, marine life. Atmosphere reacts to earth"s motion, sun energy, and earth"s land and sea surface. Studies atmosphere and processes producing weather and climate. Other celestial bodies governed by same physical laws. Development destroys wetlands, sand dunes that prevent floods. Poor construction practices and inappropriate land use exposes to seismic, volcanic dangers. Earth science looks at foundation of resources, maintenance of supplies, impact of extraction and use. Alteration with intended positive outcome could have negative impact on society. Nebular theory: bodies of solar system evolved from enormous, rotating cloud. Clouds of gas and heavier elements begin to contract due to gravitational interaction between particles five billion years ago. Draws more matter to it as it grows in mass. Gravitational energy becomes heat during collapse, temperature rises at center.
