Unit II: Earth's History
Goal 1. The student will demonstrate the ability to use concepts of system analysis to identify major historical geology topics and discuss their relationship to other fields of Earth and Space Science.
Objectives - The student will be able to:
- Identify and describe the components of historical geology.
- Explain and give examples of the dynamic balance between matter and energy throughout the geologic history of Earth.
- Give examples of how changes in one part of historical geology affected other parts of Earth's systems.
Goal 2. The student will demonstrate the ability to explain the Theory of Plate Tectonics and relate it to Earth's dynamic nature.
Objectives - The student will be able to:
- Summarize the evidence and thinking that resulted in the development of the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
- Explain plate tectonics in terms of magnetic reversals and outer core circulation, mantle convection, sea floor spreading, and subduction.
- Describe how the Theory of Plate Tectonics explains the location of earthquakes, volcanoes, hot spots, mountains, mid-ocean ridges, deep-sea trenches, and island arcs.
- Give examples of how progressive changes on Earth's surface, including Pangaea, are used to document the evolution of Earth through time.
- Describe the purpose of current tools and techniques used to study plate tectonics including seismograph data, triangulation (epicenter location, and travel-time graphs), satellite sensors, image analysis, sonar and distance measurement, and magnetometers.