AICE Midterm Study Guide 2017
You can use your notes to review concepts, or there is some information in the AP environmental Science textbook online.
Earth Structure
Ch.14-1, Ch.14-2
What are seismic waves?
Know the difference between P and S waves
Know why P and S waves do not penetrate certain layers of earth
Know the internal structure of earth (core, mantle etc) and their basic characteristics
Know what tectonic plates are, the asthenosphere, oceanic and continental crust
Know what convection currents are, subduction zone
Know how to recognize plate boundaries on a map
What happens at a divergent plate, convergent plate boundary and a transform fault- what features are formed their and why ex: volcanoes
Major U.S volcanic eruption
Know the difference between epicenter, focus and magnitude for earthquakes
What is a tsunami?
Mass Movement
What is the rock cycle?
Know how chemical and mechanical weathering affects rocks, ex frost action, biological weathering, carbonation etc.
Be able to recognize the different types of mass movement from a diagram or photograph, ex rockfall/rockslide, earthflow/mudflow, and soil creep/solifluction
Know the characteristics of unstable slopes and why some are more unstable than others, ex slope angle (gradient), rock type/soil (clay), water content, vegetation, undercutting (erosion), and buildings
Know the benefits of prevention measures designed to reduce the likely hood of future mass movements, ex increase vegetation, drainage and slope angle, retaining walls, gabions etc
Know how climate/weather can affect slope instability, ex heavy precipitation, waves, and freeze thaw.
Know how human activities can affect slope instability, ex roads, buildings, deforestation.
Know how chemical and mechanical weathering affects rocks, ex frost action, biological weathering, carbonation etc.
Soils
Ch.12-2, 12-3, 12-6 Ch.10-1, 10-3
Know the soil horizons (O A B C E)
Know the major cause of soil erosion
Know forms of soil degradation- Industrialized farming, salinization, desertification, overgrazing, waterlogging, deforestation, clear-cutting
Know the advantage of conservation tillage compared to traditional tillage
Know alternative methods of farming to prevent soil erosion, ex alley cropping, selective cutting, strip cutting
How should soil fertility be maintained?