Earth’s Atmosphere: Protective Functions, Circulation, and Pollutants
Functions of the Atmosphere
- Protective Shield: The ozone layer in the stratosphere prevents most harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching Earth’s surface. The atmosphere also protects against the impact of meteorites and other celestial bodies, which disintegrate upon entering its layers.
- Involvement in the Water Cycle: The atmosphere plays a crucial role in the water cycle. Water vapor condenses to form clouds, which then precipitate as rain or snow.
- Source of Life-Sustaining Gases: It contains
Atmospheric Moisture, Humidity, and Evapotranspiration Dynamics
Atmospheric Moisture
Source of Atmospheric Moisture
Atmospheric moisture originates with the gasification of water from oceans, lakes, rivers, soils, vegetation, and wildlife, as well as humanity (breathing). Moisture also results from human activities such as waste combustion and the advent of steam engines.
Humidity and Water Vapor Concepts
Moist Air and Water Vapor
Water vapor is a component of the mixture of atmospheric air. Moist air is defined as a mixture of dry air and water vapor.
Vapor Pressure
Read MoreSoil Erosion Control and Conservation Techniques
Understanding Soil Erosion and Its Effects
Factors Influencing Soil Erosion
Soil properties such as texture, structure, and organic matter influence the detachment and transportation processes of soil particles.
Types of Soil Erosion
Accelerated Soil Erosion
This is a more rapid form of erosion than natural or geological erosion, often caused by unnatural human activities.
Gravitational Erosion
While not as common as water erosion, gravitational erosion can cause significant damage to natural and man-made
Read MoreEarthquake Science: Faults, Waves, Measurement, and Hazards
*EARTHQUAKES:
-in plate boundries bc is where most jaults jostle, collide with, or slide past each other. Also in transform fault zones.
-fault: planar breaks and displacement happens
-fault plane: plane which displacement occurs
*stirke-
Slip
*reverse -> <-
*normal <- ->
-creep: if a displacement is gradual,smooth there is no seismic activity or earthquake (aseismic slip)
-earthquake:is displacement is quick, earthquake happens (seismic slip)
elastic rebound: two slides of the fault snap back
Read MoreArchitectural Innovations of the Great Mosque of Córdoba
The Double-Arch System
The innovative system of overlapping arches was designed to provide greater elevation for the prayer hall. A column is placed on top of a pillar, approximately 2 meters high, from which the upper arch springs. This design incorporates Visigothic-style horseshoe arches at the bottom, which act as straps to prevent collapse, a significant improvement over the simple beams or braces used previously.
Horseshoe Arch Characteristics
The horseshoe arch features a camber of one-third
Read MoreGeological Time Scale and Principles of Stratigraphy
Steno’s Fundamental Principles
Nicolas Steno proposed three main principles in stratigraphy:
- The Principle of Original Horizontality of the Strata.
- The Principle of Lateral Continuity of the Strata.
- The Principle of Superposition of the Strata.
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
An event or feature that cuts across layers of rock must be younger than the layers it affects.
Principle of Faunal Succession
The fossils within rock layers are from the time the rock was deposited. Therefore, we can recognize