Topic I. Earth Systems
A . Earth Science Concepts (Geologic time scale; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons; solar
intensity and latitude)
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Explain how plate tectonics and the rock cycle shape the landscape around us and the earth beneath our feet
Identify and explain each of the plate boundaries
Compare metamorphic, sedimentation, and igneous rocks
Identify the layers of the Earth
identify major characteristics and components (silicon, iron, etc)
Compare and Contrast the major types of volcanoes
don't forget about hotspot volcanoes!
Explain the causes and effects of earthquakes (epicenter, S waves & P waves and how they differ)
Explain why the Earth experiences seasons
B . The Atmosphere (Composition; structure; weather and climate; atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis
Effect; atmosphere–ocean interactions; ENSO)
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Describe the composition, structure, and function of Earth's atmosphere
Explain how latitudinal differences, the Coriolis Effect, and Hadley Cells cause air to cycle
Compare warm and cold fronts
Explain thermal inversions
identify major molecular components of air
be able to give the percentages of the major components
C . Global Water Resources and Use (Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and
domestic use; surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation)
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Explain the importance of water and the hydrologic cycle to ecosystems, human health, and economic pursuits
Delineate the distribution of freshwater on Earth and describe major types of freshwater ecosystems
Discuss how we use water and alter freshwater systems
Assess problems of water supply & explain the issues surrounding the Aral Sea & Water Privatization
Propose solutions to address water supply issues (desalinization, xeriscaping)
Assess problems of water quality and propose solutions to address water pollution
Explain the problems of cultural eutrification and dead zones
Compare eutrophic and oligotrophic bodies of water
Identify and describe the major layers of a freshwater lake
Explain how freshwater lakes change throughout the year
Idenitify point and non-point source pollution
Explain how wastewater is treated
Discuss the pros and cons of dams
Explain the structure of aquifers and how groundwater is maintained
Describe the importance of various locations in regards to water, water diversions & dams, and channeling
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Identify physical, geographical, chemical, and biological aspects of the marine environment (upwelling, downwelling,
ENSO events, gyres & thermoclines)
Describe major types of marine ecosystems
Outline historical and current human uses of marine resources
Assess human impacts on marine environments
Review the current state of ocean fisheries and reasons for their decline
Identify and describe the major layers of the ocean
Explain various types of modern fishing methods and explain how each impacts the environment
Evaluate marine protected areas and reserves as innovative solutions
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Perform water quality testing using chemical and physical tests
Perform water quality testing using a bioassay
Assess the primary productivity of a body of water
Analyze the impact of water pollution on dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nutrient content, and pH
D . Soil and Soil Dynamics (Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil
types; erosion and other soil problems; soil conservation)
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Explain the importance of soils to agriculture, and describe the impacts of agriculture on soil
Delineate the fundamentals of soil science, including soil formation and soil properties (permeability, porosity, pH, charge)
be able to give at least one chemical test and one physical test you could perform on soil to test its quality
Describe the major soil horizons and understand how they relate to one another
Remember "Octopuses Ate Every Black Cherry Rapidly"
State the causes and predict the consequences of soil erosion and soil degradation
Recite the history and explain the principals of soil conservation
Explain the ways farmers prevent soil erosion & soil degradation (contour farming, terracing, inter-cropping, crop rotation,
shelterbeds, and no-till farming)
Earth Science
Core, Mantle, Crust
Geologic clock (Period, Eon)
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Subduction
Transform
Uplift
Convergent
Igneous
Sedimentary
Cone Volcano
Composite Volcano
Shield Volcano
Fissure Volcano
Epicenter
S Waves
P Wave
Hot Spot
Water Resources
Aquifer
Water Table
Confined Aquifer
Unconfined Aquifer
Aquifer Recharge Zone
Zone of Saturation
Zone of Aeration
Cone of Depression
Subsidence
Littoral Zone
Limnetic Zone
Benthic Zone
Profundal Zone
Epilimnion
Metalimnion
Hypolimnion
Fall Overturn
Spring Overturn
Oligotrophic
Eutrophic
Dead Zones
Water Privatization
xeriscaping
ENSO events
Turbidity
Dissolved Oxygen
Point Pollution
Non-Point Pollution
Groundwatr
Soil & Agriculture
Deposition
Soil Degradation
Weathering
Traditional Agriculture
Industrialized Agriculture
Parent Material
Leaching
Soil
Soil Formation
Soil Profile
Soil Horizons
Topsoil
Permeability
Porosity
Charge
Silt
Sand
Clay
Soil Conservation
Monoculture
Cropland
Rangeland
Desertification
Salinization
Atmosphere & Global
Climate Change
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Weather
Climate
Warm Fronts
Cold Fronts
High Pressure System
Low Pressure System
Thermal Inversion
Hadley Cell
Ferrel Cell
Coriolis Effect