| Level |
Concepts: Processes the Shape the Earth |
| Primary |
Rocks that make up the Earth's surface come in may different shapes
and sizes.
Living organisms can change their surroundings in many ways.
|
| Elementary |
Wind, water, waves, and ice can cause changes in the Earth's surface
(erosion, transport, deposit).
Rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
Soil is a combination of weathered rocks and organic matter.
|
| Middle Grades |
Rocks can change forms and are constantly being formed and worn away.
Heat flow and movement within the Earth produce earthquakes, volcanic
activity, and mountain formation.
Sediments of sand and smaller particles can eventually be cemented
together in nature to form solid rock again.
Sedimentary rock buried deep enough may be reformed by pressure and
heat, perhaps melting and recrystallizing into different kinds of rock.
Earth processes occuring today have happenend for millions of years.
The Earth has a long hisatory of change documented in its rock record.
Soil composition is determined by rock type and by action of living
organisms (including humans), water, and air.
|
| Secondary |
The formation, weathering, sedimentation, and reformation of rock
constitute a continuing "rock cycle" in which the total amount of
material stays the same.
Evidence of continental drfit provides the basis for the theory of
plate tectonics.
Plate tectonics explains volcanic activity, mountain building,
earthquakes, and creation of new floor in the oceans.
The movement of molten material within the earth results from heat
flowing from the interior on regions of different density.
Photosynthesis is responsible for the oxygen content of air.
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