Astronomy 2021A/B Lecture 4: Chapter 4 Notes

• School: Western University
• Department: Astronomy
• Course: Astronomy 2021A/B
• Professor: Martin Zinke- Allmang

Document Summary

In this course, geology is used to encompass the study of any world with a solid surface. It is also used to describe the processes and features that shape worlds: th(cid:396)ee aspe(cid:272)ts of ea(cid:396)th"s geolog(cid:455) a(cid:396)e espe(cid:272)iall(cid:455) i(cid:373)po(cid:396)ta(cid:374)t. Volcanism: volcanic eruptions release gases trapped in earth"s i(cid:374)te(cid:396)io(cid:396) that (cid:449)e(cid:396)e the o(cid:396)igi(cid:374)al source of our atmosphere and oceans. Plate tectonics: largely responsible for the long-term climate stability. Earth"s (cid:373)ag(cid:374)eti(cid:272) field: the ea(cid:396)th"s (cid:373)ag(cid:374)eti(cid:272) field shields ea(cid:396)th f(cid:396)o(cid:373) solar wind which would screw up our atmosphere. 4. 2 reconstructing the history of earth and life. We use fossils to help us figure out what has happening back in the day. Look to the rocks and fossils that make up the geological record. All rocks can become one another which is why there is a rock cycle. Rocks maintain a mixture of different crystals in close contact.