Lab 1: Earthquakes 1. What causes an earthquake? - A sudden release of stored energy built up over long period of time, as a result of tectonic forces within the earth. 2. Describe S & P waves. Which is faster? What do the S and P stand for? - P stands for primary wave. S stands for secondary wave Primary wave is faster. 3. How do you measure an earthquake? Name the instrument and unit used to describe earthquake intensity. - Seismographs Richter magitude scale 4. Draw an example of a seismograph reading of an earthquake. Label the S wave, P wave, amplitude, x axis, and y axis. Lab 2: Topographic maps 1. Which way is the creek (blue-green line) flowing? How do you know? - North V-upstream 2. What is the contour interval of the map below? What is the highest elevation? What is the lowest elevation? Assume elevation is given in meters. - The highest elevation is 1000 meters The lowest elevation is 820 meters The contour interval of the map is 20 meters 3. Draw contour lines on the following map using a contour interval of 10 m. What is the maximum elevation of the map? What is the lowest elevation? Lab 3: Rivers & Floods 1. Using the table below, calculate the average daily rainfall in July for Orlando. How does it compare to average rainfall in Sacramento in terms of order of magnitude? Note that the table reports total monthly precipitation for each city. Average rainfall of July: 7.25/31=0.234 inches It is more than the average rainfall?????? Lab 4: Air Pollution 1. Name the six EPA Criteria Air Pollutants. Describe the health effects for two of the six pollutants. - Ozone Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxide Lead Ozone / particulate matter / lead / sulfer dioxide / nitrogen oxide / 2. Describe PM2.5 and PM10. Describe potential sources and the difference between PM2.5 and PM10, including which is more dangerous and why. - - Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or smaller is PM10 Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller is PM2.5 PM2. 5 is more likely to travel into and deposit on the surface of the deeper parts of the lung, while PM10 is more likely to deposit on the surfaces of the larger airways of the upper region of the lung. Exposure to particulate matter aggravates a number of respiratory illnesses and may even cause early death in people with existing heart and lung disease. 3. Describe ground-level ozone, how it is formed, and potential sources of ozone precursors. What season is peak ozone season? Describe the health effects of ozone exposure. - Ground-level of ozone is formed in the air when hydrocarbon and NOx precursor emissions react in the presence of sunlight Potential sources of ozone precursors include low wind speeds, warm temperatures, and cloudless skies Summer Impacts lung function by irratating and damaging the respiratory system. Lab 5: Climate Change 1. Name 3 potential environmental changes that could result from climate change. - Change in water avaliability for a growing global population Shifts in areas that have suitable climates for practicing agricultures Increased costal flooding – raising sea levels 2. Describe how atmospheric CO2 concentrations have changed from 1960 present. Discuss seasonal fluctuations, as well as long-term trends and rates of change. - - CO2 concentrations have increased from 1960s to present. There is a seasonal fluctuation because the earth has winter and summer. Vegetation will absorb and release CO2 and oxygen. CO2 will be taken out of the atmosphere by living plants during April to September growing season and released by dead plants in the rest of the year. More stable before / increased more rapidly in receent 50 years 3. Describe the two ways in which rising temperatures can cause sea level rise. (You do not need to provide the specific formulas to calculate sea level rise). - Melting ice caps will contribute massive amounts of additional water volume to the oceans. Water expands as it warms, so warmer oceans would increase in volume even if no extra water is added. Lab 6: Hurricanes & Coastlines 1. List 4 requirements for a hurricane to form. - Low air pressure Warm temperatures Moist ocean air Tropical winds Low air pressuree moist ocean air warm temperature tropical wind Low air pressure Moist ocean air Tropical wind Warm temperaturee 2. Describe what happens to a hurricane’s strength when the hurricane makes landfall. - When hurricanes make landfall, they begin to decrease in strength because they no longer have the ocean water from which to gain energy. 3. Describe 3 potential ways hurricanes can cause damage. - heavy rains / high wind / tornadoes / flooding / storms Lab 7: Rocks & Minerals 1. What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? - A mineral is a naturally occurring substance with distinctive chemical and physical properties, composition, and atomic structure. Rocks are made up of two of more minerals, mixed up through geological processes. 2. What does it mean for a mineral to have fracture? How does this compare to a mineral that exhibits cleavage? Give an example of a mineral that has fracture. Give an example of a mineral that exhibits cleavage. - Cleavage: when a mineral break along a flat, smooth surface - Fracture: when a mineral breaks along an irregular surface - Quartz – Fracture - Diamond and calcite provide examples of cleavage. Cleavage: when minerals break along a flat, smooth surface Fracture: when minerals breaks along irregular surface Quartz fracture Calcite cleavage 3. Give 3 examples of geologic words used to describe non-metallic luster. - pearly, resinous, silky, dull, glassy 4. Why might a mineral have more than one color? - Because mineral has different internal atomic structures. Lab 8: Toxic Waste Disposal 1. Describe the three types of radiation and their relative strength. - Gamma ray: electromagnetic energy; grestest penetration power; need to be shield from lead or steel Beta particle: more penetrating than alpha particles; can pass through a sheet of paper - Alpha particle: have the shortest range; only can travel a few inches of air and can be stopped easily by a sheet of paper; harmful only if the radioactive source material is swallowed. 2. Describe the four types of nuclear waste. Which is the most radioactive and where does it come from? - High-level waste (most radioactive category of nuclear waste) include spent fuel from powerplants and defense activities Low-level waste Transuranic waste Mill tailing 3. Describe a theoretical ideal location for the geologic disposal of nuclear waste. - Yucca Mountain, Nevada Site need to be further from earthquake Benenth the deep ocean floor Lab 9: Geologic Time 1. Describe the difference between the relative age and absolute age in geologic time. - Relative age is the age of a rock layer (or the fossils it contains) compared to other layers. Absolute age is the numeric age of a layer of rocks or fossils. 2. Define a half-life. In general, the half-life technique can be used for time-periods up to ______5____ (fill in the blank). Why is there a time limit to how long the half-life technique can be used?