Earth Systems and Resources

Developing Understanding: This unit explores earth systems and its resources that support life. Geographical changes that occur to earth systems at convergent boundaries can result in the creation of mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, volcanoes, and seafloor spreading. Soils are a resource, formed when parent material is weathered, transported, and deposited. The atmosphere is another resource, composed of certain percentages of major gases. Climate is influenced by the sun's energy, Earth's geography, and the movement of air and water. In subsequent units, students will examine how humans use natural resources and the impact on the environment.

Enduring Understanding(s): Earth's systems interact, resulting in a state of balance over time. Most of the Earth's atmospheric processes are driven by input of energy from the sun.

Information on the Thermohaline Circulation

Cool Info on the Ring of Fire and Earthquake Data