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    Geology

    Geology is the study of the Earth, rocks and how they change. Geology also tries to study these features on other planets. Geology has allowed scientists to study the history of the Earth; it provided evidence that led to the discovery of plate tectonics, the discovery of the evolutionary history of life and the past climates of the Earth. Geology has many applications. These applications range from being commercially important to publicly important. The applications include mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, natural hazard predictions, remediation of environmental problems and studying climate change.

    Geology also places a large focus on studying the Earth structures. Due to advances in technologies the internal composition and structure of the Earth has been found and mapped. The Earth's internal core is maintained at an extremely high temperature and pressure which has turned the rock into molten lava. Mineralogists used this data to find the elemental composition of the Earth. These breakthroughs have allowed scientists to exploit these mineral resources for commercial uses. 

    Furthermore, another important concept in the study of geology is the geological time scale. This time scale is extremely important as it states the history of the Earth and has some evidence on the formation of the universe. The Earth has been found to be 4.54 billion years old. These years have been divided up into eons, eras, and periods to describe the properties of those time periods. 

     

     

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    BrainMass Categories within Geology

    Natural Hazards

    Solutions: 42

    Natural Hazards is the study of naturally occurring threat of events that will have a negative effect on the environment.

    Mineralogy

    Solutions: 40

    Mineralogy is the study of the distribution, identification and properties of minerals.

    Groundwater

    Solutions: 16

    Groundwater is below surface water located in soil spore spaces and in crevices of rock formations.

    Geophysics

    Solutions: 5

    Geophysics is the study of the earth using physical principles.

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Plate Tectonics: Wegener's Work

    Describe how Wegener's continental drift hypothesis has helped to shape modern plate tectonic theory, and why his hypothesis was not widely accepted by his peers when first proposed. Analyze the types of evidence used to support plate tectonic theory.

    Radioactive dating

    Compare and contrast relative age dating with radiometric dating. What are the strengths and limitations (if any) of each?

    Major Eras of Earth History

    Fill in the chart below describing the major eras of earth history: Era | Time range | Geologic events | Life forms | Dominant life form Precambrian | Paleozoic | Mesozoic | Cenozoic |

    Earth's Dynamic Ocean and Atmosphere Table

    Earth's Dynamic Ocean and Atmosphere Table I need help with the following questions: In the following list, provide in one to two sentences the role of the Sun and the oceans in weather, climate, and the water cycle. The Sun The Ocean Weather Climate Water Cycle In the following list, provide in one to t

    California's geological features and events

    Describe the geological features and various types of rocks that formed in California (for example, mountains, craters, canyons, volcanoes, fault lines, or folds). Discuss the various geological events that occurred in California Describe the various types of rocks that these geological events formed.

    Fossil Record Table

    I need help with the following questions; In the following list, give a brief summary of what scientists have learned from the fossil record. Add one more type of evidence with a summary to the table. 1. Climate change 2. Continental drift 3. Extinct species - dinosaurs, early mammals, etc. 4. Evolution 5. Meteor

    Plate Boundaries and Faults

    1. The tectonic cycle is a cycle in which crust is both created and destroyed. Where does crust get created and how does this occur? Where does crust get destroyed and how does this occur? 2. Explain the three types of tectonic plate boundaries. In your explanation you must include 1) the type of boundary, 2) what is occurrin

    Solution dealing with the effects of plate tectonics on climate, ancient life, and geography. How has the motion/location of the tectonic plates influenced the climate of Earth over geologic time? How does the motion of the tectonic plates affect the geography? (surface features) How does the motion of the tectonic plates affect the distribution of organisms? (current and fossil life)

    Solution dealing with the effects of plate tectonics on climate, ancient life, and geography. How has the motion/location of the tectonic plates influenced the climate of Earth over geologic time? How does the motion of the tectonic plates affect the geography? (surface features) How does the motion of the tectonic plates affe

    Identification of normal, reverse and strike-slip faults

    I really need help with the following problem. For the attached figure, Using different colors for the different faulting types, circle five examples each of (a) normal faults, (b) reverse faults, and (c) strike-slip faults. Thanks!

    Plate tectonics and subduction zones

    Many hydrothermal mineral deposits of copper, gold, silver, and other metals have been found in the countries bordering on the Pacific Ocean. Can you offer an explanation for this remarkable concentration? If you were part of a team of exploration geologists looking for large copper deposits, where would you focus your search?

    Contrast the philosophies of Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism

    Contrast the philosophies of Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism. What are the major differences in the how each philosophy addresses the age of the Earth? Finally, while neither philosophy should be taken too literally, which philosophy has been deemed more accurate by the scientific community and why?

    Relative dating exercise

    Relative Dating Exercise Determine the relative sequence of events in the diagram below. Enter the letter of the rock unit or geologic structure in the proper Event sequence. The geologic events of tilting, folding and erosion do not have single letter labels. Type the word "tilting", "folding" or "erosion" in the proper posi

    Geology

    Can't get my head round these questions. Am able to tackle the next question though!

    Plate Tectonics, Divergnece and Hotspots

    What is the relevance of the age of the oceanic crusts and the continental crusts within the south American plate. Are there presence of hotspots on the plate? What is the process that is responsible for the change in area of the South American plate?

    Pacific Northwest Plate tectonics

    1. Discuss the various geological events that occurred in the Pacific Northwest region. 2. Describe the various types of rocks that formed due to these geological events. 3. Examine the relationship between the characteristics of these rocks and the geological events.

    The Richter Scale and marine fossils

    1.How does the plate tectonics theory help explain the existence of fossilizes marine life in rocks atop the Ural Mountains?(Include a description of the specific process(es). 2. How were earthquakes intensities measured before the advent of the Richter Scale? What were the problems with that scale and how is the Richter sca

    The Geological Society of America

    Explain how developing professional knowledge and abilities affect career success. I am interested in the field of geology; I identified The Geological Society of America as a professional organization in this field. 1) Please briefly explain this organization 2) Explain how this organization may contribute towards profe

    Factors and Forces of Geological Features

    Hi, I need assistance with some information so that I can create a PowerPoint presentation for the state of Colorado. I can do the PowerPoint myself but I need help researching the following and answering them: 1. Describe the various geologic events that have occurred in your state. 2. Describe the geological features and va

    Estimating age of crystals using radioactive decay

    Analysis of zircon crystals separated from the sandstone showed that the 206Pb/238U ratio was is 0.90, How do you work out an estimate for the age of the zircon crystallization assuming that the decay of 238U to 206Pb is 4.47x10^9 Years?

    importance of geology to civilization

    The importance of the science of geology to us a a civilization. Give at least two examples. For example, the ability to predict earthquakes and other disasters, or understanding mining and the use of natural resources.

    Descriptions - Laurentia, Rodinia, Ediacaran faunas

    I need to write a brief description of each. I am also having a hard time finding examples of each and why they are important to geological knowledge. 1. Laurentia 2. Rodinia 3. Ediacaran faunas 4. Grenville Orogeny 5. Stromatolites 6. Pangea 7. Permian/Triassic Mass Extention 8. Terminal Cretaceuos Extinction