Study Guide for Earth science
S5E1a. a. Identify surface features caused by constructive processes (to make something new)
J Deposition-deposit of sediments
Main agent: water
Examples…
Deltas-Mississippi River Delta
Floodplains-along riverbanks
Barrier islands (Georgia)-protect the mainland
Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Cumberland Island
Sand dunes-water/wind-beach/desert
J Glaciers-thick sheets of moving ice
Moraines-ridge made after a glacier (Long Is.)
Drumlin-oval shaped mounds
J Volcanic Activity- form mountains and islands
*Volcano – an opening in the Earth’s crust; most occur where tectonic plates meet (huge plates of rock that the Earth’s continents rest on)
*Magma- hot molten rock in the mantle; its movement upward causes a stretch or pull of tectonic plates (huge plates that the Earth’s continents rest on)
*Lava-hot molten rock above the surface; when lava is released it hardens. Over thousands of years, it may increase the height of the volcano forming a volcanic mountain.
*Formation of Hawaiian Islands: tectonic plates under the ocean floor moved over hot spots (stationary hot pools of magma). As a plate moves above it, the hot spot melts holes in the crust which can form a chain of volcanoes.
J Earthquake Activity- forms mountains and valleys
Earthquake: a sudden movement of Earth’s crust; usually occurs 50-400 miles below the Earth’s surface. They happen along the boundaries of tectonic plates because the pressure from the movement of the plates pushes on nearby faults.
Faults: cracks in the Earth’s crust
3 ways that plates move during an earthquake
Overlap--- collide (push together)--- pull apart
Tsunami: huge waves that usually occur after underwater earthquakes
S5E1 b. Identify and find examples of surface features caused by destructive processes (to destroy)
J Weathering-breaking down of rock into sediments
*Mechanical/Physical: caused by temperature changes, pushing pulling, or rubbing; does not change the rock;
Examples: trees growing out from cracks in a cliff and their roots causing pressure and breaking off particles of rock; cracks in bridge/road due to water freezing
*Chemical: chemicals break down rocks and change them to new substance: lime stone, rust, acidic rain
J Erosion-the movement of sediments
*By water: (v-shaped)-Colorado River carved the
Grand Canyon, Arizona
*By wind: desert setting-Window Rock, AZ
*By glacier (u-shaped) - arctic region
*By ocean waves
J Changes caused by Volcanoes and Earthquakes
-Mount St. Helens-1980-Washington state
-Land changes around the volcano before it erupts-(seismograph) and sides bulge
S5E1c.- Relate the role of technology and human intervention in the control of constructive and destructive processes. Examples include, but are not limited to
• Seismological studies,
• Flood control--(dams, levees, storm drain management, etc.)
• Beach reclamation (Georgia coastal islands)
J Effects of controlled processes
Use Dams- Hoover Dam-
causes beach erosion
J Effects of destructive processes
Use Groins l l l l l l l l(perpendicular)
Use Seawalls ___ ___ ___ (parallel) beaches, rivers, lakes
Use Beach nourishment- beach erosion has taken place (reclaim the beaches)
Use Contour plowing- soil erosion on farms
Use Terracing- soil erosion on mountains and hills
Use Storm drain management-roads, neighborhoods, and parking lots
J Detection/Prevention of Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Volcanoes: Scientists can predict eruptions by the occurrence of small earthquakes
Earthquakes: more difficult to predict; Scientists can look for signs of bulging or changing in the angling of the ground
Landforms of Georgia
Appalachian Mountains: Run from Georgia to Maine and were formed as a result of tectonic plates colliding. They are over 300 million years old.
Lake Oconee: Georgia’s largest lake and is a reservoir (created by building a dam over a river)
Okefenokee Swamp: located in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida – largest in North America; formed by deposition of marine sediments since most of this area was first covered by seas. It is an important habitat for wildlife and also important in flood control and is a natural water filter.
Barrier Islands: Cumberland Island, Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island – all formed by deposition of shifting sands that built upon existing sandbars, eventually forming islands
Stone Mountain: huge dome of granite rock formed millions of years ago; Scientists believe that molten rock from far below the Earth’s surface was pushed up. It cooled and formed the granite rock. Over time, wind and water carried away the dirt that was covering the buried rock.
It is affected by weathering and erosion.