Earth Science ReviewModules 3 and 4

Module Three: Processes and Forces of the Lithosphere

Examples of physical weathering.

Frost action

temperature

organic activity

3dparks.wr.usgs.gov - 800 × 633 - Search by imageThe geologic story of the formation of the natural bridges is linked to the physical weathering

properties of the rocks, stream drainage pattern changes, etc.

A delta is:

Large amounts of sediments are deposited at the mouth of a river.

deltas.usgs.gov - 826 × 662 - Search by image

Satellite Image of the Mekong and Mississippi River Deltas The U.S. Geological Survey is bringing its broad

scientific understanding of the Mississippi

3 methods of controlling erosion.

TerracingPlant and Soil Sciences eLibraryplantandsoil.unl.edu - 800 × 571 - Search by imageHillside contour strawberry farming in Monterey

County, CA.

Strip cropping or contour farmingwww.epa.gov - 285 × 203 - Search by imageContour Farming. Source:

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

Drainage ditcheswww.esa.org - 600 × 450 - Search by imageDitches at sites with heavy

recreational fishing pressure.

Chemical weathering

CarbonationGeology of National Parks3dparks.wr.usgs.gov - 800 × 596 - Search by imageIn the past, wind-blown dust and soil probably filled the alcove to higher levels and

chemical weathering associated with shallow groundwater

plant acids The Geologic Story of the Ocoee Riverpubs.usgs.gov - 378 × 233 - Search by

imagePhotograph of folded rock layers near Maddens Branch Folded rock layers near Maddens Branch. [Photograph by David Usher, U.S. Geological Survey]

and oxidation Mars & Iron Mountain | USGS California Water Science Centerca.water.usgs.gov - 625 × 468 - Search by imageGossan is a rock consisting mostly of iron oxides formed by weathering of rock originally greater than 50% iron sulfide (usually

pyrite).

Causes of soil mismanagement

Clearing vegetation, overuse of fertilizers, pollution

The top layer of the soil horizon

Organic

Earthquake Glossary - soil profileearthquake.usgs.gov - 261 × 372 - Search by imageSoil profile in hills of

Manisa Province, Turkey, showing a distinct horizon of accumulated red-purple metallic (manganese and/or

iron?) oxides

Parent Rock

Determines what type of soil will be produced by weathering

pubs.usgs.gov - 390 × 362 - Search by imageHA 730-N Hawaii Volcanic-rock aquifers, Ground-Water Occurrence and Movemen

Module Four: Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, and EarthquakesMatching coastlines, fossil

evidence, and rock formations are all evidence for the theory

of Continental Drift

Which was first presented by Alfred Wegener

NASA: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fscience1.nasa.gov%2Fmedia%2Fmedialibrary%2F2002%2F01%2F25%2F28jan_extinction_resources%2Fpangea_strip.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F

%2Fscience1.nasa.gov%2Fscience-news%2Fscience-at-nasa%2F2002%2F28jan_extinction%2F&h=180&w=475&tbnid=FfGsh6Kq8jfo6M%3A&zoom=1&docid=i4GY8XswmaDw4M&ei=CqM5U4O0KKL50gH-

xYDIDw&tbm=isch&ved=0CGEQhBwwBA&iact=rc&dur=4286&page=1&start=0&ndsp=6

www.rpdp.net - 284 × 218 - Search by imageFigure 12. Distribution of several plant and animal fossils found in the continents that formed

Interactive Earth game: click below.

http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/pangaea/Pangaea_game.html

The Appalachian Mountains are very old,

and have stopped growing.

Older mountains tend to have more rounded tops due to erosion

over a long time.Below: Geology of National Parks3dparks.wr.usgs.gov - 

432 × 613 - Search by imageMap of the Appalachian Mountains region showing the extent of the sedimentary

and crystalline rock belts.

Right: energy.usgs.gov - 940 × 180 - Search by image Welcome to the Energy Resources Program Website

"Appalachian Coal" Area.

NASA - Why Isn't the Earth Perfect?www.nasa.gov - 330 × 204 - Search by imageThe plates float on top of the hot layer of the Earth's

mantle. Credit: NASA

Tectonic plate boundaries are:

The layers of the earth from the center to the

outside are

Inner Core

Outer Core

Mantle

Crust

Introduction to Physical Geology Syllabuswww.geol.umd.edu - 647 × 648 - Search by imageCore:

From 2880 km. to the center. Metallic - primarily of nickel and iron. (There is an outer liquid core and a solid inner

core - same composition, different physical state.)

Mt. St. Helens is a

Strato volcano.

Strato volcanoes are explosive and blow the rock covering off in a cloud of small fragments called ash.

Strato volcanoes are also called composite volcanoes, because they build up layers of ash and lava.

Often before an eruption from a strato- volcano, earthquakes will occur.

Earthquakes often give warnings. Small earthquakes that precede (happen before) large earthquakes are

called foreshocks.

vulcan.wr.usgs.gov - 600 × 406 - Search by image Image, click to enlarge: MSH82_st_helens_plume_from_harrys_ridge_05-19-82.jpg. Plumes of steam, gas, and ash

often occurred at Mount St. Helens.

Volcanoes of Lewis and Clark - Mount St. Helens - Summary

vulcan.wr.usgs.gov - 640 × 481 - Search by image

Mountains grow from

Folding

Fault Blocking, and

Volcanoes

Earth’s Mantle

An elastic layer of molten rock that has the force to move the tectonic plates

USGS Geology in the Parksgeomaps.wr.usgs.gov 

The Lithosphere

Made of the Crust and Upper Mantle

The crust is where the action is. The entire rock cycle takes place in the

crust, from magma pools deep below, to mountain peaks, high above the surface.

Earthquakes, are often preceded by warning trembling, called foreshocks.

www.eoearth.org - 750 × 463 - Search by imageFigure 3: Three types of plate convergance resulting in subduction. (Image Source. US Gelogical

Survey.)