Overview: The scientific study of Earth is based on direct observation (images) of landforms (Natural Resources - Canada) and materials that make up Earth's surface, and the sample evidence we have of
Earth's
interior. By studying this evidence, we discover patterns in the nature
and distribution of the Earth's materials, and in the kinds of changes that take place. This knowledge can be used
in developing models for geologic structures and processes-models that help both scientists and students enlarge
their understanding of their observations, and guide further investigation and research.
Focusing Questions: What do we know about the Earth we live on-about its surface and what lies below?
What evidence do we have, and how do we use this evidence in developing an understanding of the earth and its changes?
Key Concepts
identify and explain
the purpose of different tools and techniques used in the study of Earth (e.g., describe and explain the use of seismographs and coring drills, and tools and techniques for close examination of rocks; describe methods
used in oil and gas exploration) Topic 10
explain the need for
common
terminology and conventions for describing rock and minerals, and apply
suitable terms and conventions in describing sample materials (e.g., use common terms in describing the lustre, transparency,
cleavage and fracture of rocks
and minerals; apply the Moh's scale in describing mineral hardness)
Students will:Identify evidence for the rock cycle and use the rock cycle concept to interpret and
explain the characteristics of particular rocks
describe evidence of
their formation (e.g., describe evidence of igneous rock formation based on study of rocks found
in and around volcanoes, describe the role of fossil
evidence in interpreting sedimentary rock)
Students will:Investigate and interpret evidence
of major changes in landforms and the rock layers that underlie
them investigate and interpret patterns in the structure and distribution of mountain formations (e.g., describe
and interpret mountain formations of the North American cordillera)
identify and interpret
examples of incremental change and predict the result of those changes over extended periods of time (e.g., identify
evidence of erosion, and predict the effect of erosional change over a year, century and millennium; project
the effect of a given rate
of continental drift over a period of one million years)
Students will:Describe, interpret and evaluate evidence
from the fossil record
describe the nature of
different
kinds of fossils and identify hypotheses about their formation (e.g., identify the kinds of rocks where fossils are likely to found;
identify the portions of living things most likely to be preserved; identify possible means of preservation involving
replacement of one material by another, or by formation of molds and casts) - Glossary
explain and apply methods
used to interpret fossils (e.g., identify techniques used for fossil reconstruction based on knowledge of current living
things and findings of related fossils; identify examples of petrified wood and bone)
describe patterns in the
appearance of different life forms as indicated by the fossil record (e.g., construct and interpret a geologic time scale, and describe in general terms the evidence that has led to its development)