the earth. the earth from a global perspective why is it the way it is, what makes it different or...

The Earth

The Earth from a global perspective

• Why is it the way it is, what makes it different or similar to other planets?

• Earth from space – first seen in 1957

• Imagine you’re an alien from another planet…

Distinguishing features of Earth (compared to other planets):

- water

- vegetation

- clouds

tranquil place

Desert - Namibia

Drainage patterns - Yemen

Grand canyon from space

Impact craters – Manicoagan crater - Quebec

Mountains – Sierra Nevada

from space

Volcanoes – radar image of

Mauna Loa from space

Pyramids from space

Earth at night

Earth’s surface: constantly changing

Similar Fossils Found on different Continents!

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Similar Rock Formations Found on different continents!

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250 Million Years Ago- Pangea

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M

Where does the energy for plate tectonics come from?

Energy from Earth’s interior

Radioactive Decay

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Earth was most likely MOLTEN early in its history

•Energy sources to keep Earth molten throughout- decay of radioactive isotopes (atoms) from early solar system

- violent impacts from solar system formation debris numerous asteroids, meteoroids

chemical differentiation” – heavier elements sinkdown lower in the structure

core = made of IRON

mantle = dense, iron-rich, but other lighter elements

crust = relatively thin, light, silicon-rich materials

Earth’s Atmosphere

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Earth’s Atmosphere

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Early Earth’s Atmosphere

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Rock Formation Process

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Zircon

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Earth's oldest-known mineral -Over 4 billion Years old. We can figure out under what conditions it formed.

CO2 Cycle

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Magnetosphere

• Magnetic Field roughly aligned with its rotation axis

• Charged particles from the Sun can interact with the Earth's field and change its shape

Aurora