1 Read about James Hutton in your text and explain the concept of Uniformitarianism. Give one example of how it could be applied in geology, don’t use an example from the text, make up your own example or research using the internet. Be able to explain the example clearly
2 Specifically how do we know that different parts of the geosphere/earth are not solid (eg. liquid, plastic or weak)? Which two parts are liquid, plastic or weak (don’t include water, magma or lava)? Hint: look at the physical properties of the layers of the earth and one is just below the lithosphere.
3 How does this this knowledge (from #2 above) support the Theory of Plate Tectonics? Hint: the entire Earth was thought to be solid prior to the 1950’s
4 What is the difference between how the Aleutian and the Hawaiian Islands form in terms of Plate Tectonic Theory?
5 What would Planet Earth be like if we didn’t have Plate Tectonics? How would the planet and our lives be different? Think about how mountains are formed and thick sedimentary basins develop next to them from their erosion.
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