Understanding Earth’s Geosphere: Structure and Study Methods
Methods for Studying the Geosphere
The methods used to study the geosphere are classified as follows:
- Direct Methods: Study based on samples obtained by drilling or direct sampling. Information can also be obtained from mines, oil drilling, water wells, and volcanoes.
- Indirect Methods: Based on analyzing and interpreting physical characteristics of our planet, such as Earth’s gravity, seismic waves, and density.
Meteorite Analysis
These celestial bodies are thought to originate from asteroids or remnants
Read MoreEnergia, Medi Ambient i Patrimoni Natural a Catalunya
Producció Energètica a Catalunya
L’energia és la capacitat d’un sistema per produir accions externes, és a dir, qualsevol acció que provoqui un canvi. En última instància, gairebé tota l’energia que utilitza la humanitat a la Terra té el seu origen en el sol.
La disponibilitat d’energia és essencial per al funcionament de l’economia d’un país i un indicador del seu grau de desenvolupament. Catalunya és un país dependent energèticament, ja que només produeix el 32% del total de l’energia
Read MoreUnderstanding Ecological Disturbances: Types, Impacts, and Factors
Ecological Disturbances: An Overview
Disturbance: A relatively discrete event in time, causing a disruption in ecosystems, changing the substrate and availability of resources, and creating opportunities for the establishment of new individuals. Disturbances are partly allogenic and autogenic because their impact is the result of both the magnitude of the disturbance and the resilience of the community to the particular type of alteration.
Key Temporal and Spatial Attributes of Disturbances
- Type: Agents
Unveiling the Universe: From Big Bang to Galaxies
The Universe: Composition
Visible Matter:
- Normal (0.4%): Stars, planets, and intergalactic hot gas
- Normal non-luminous (3.6%): Black holes and intergalactic gas
Invisible Components:
- Dark Matter (21%): Unknown composition, inferred from mass measurements.
- Dark Energy (75%): Unknown nature, responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.
The Origin of the Universe: The Big Bang
All matter was concentrated in a small area and underwent a massive explosion (the Big Bang). Matter was propelled
Read MoreUnderstanding Environmental Impact: Contamination, Audits, and Pollution
Environmental Contamination
Contamination is the introduction of pollutants into an environment through contact with another contaminated source.
Environmental Audits
An environmental audit is a diagnosis and study of the environmental situation of an installation or activity. To conduct this examination, it’s necessary to certify and verify the proper operation of systems and management, considering current regulations and available technologies.
Contents of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Read MorePlate Tectonics and the Scientific Method
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics: Moving and Shaking. There are many major plates and dozens of smaller, or minor, plates. Six of the major plates are named for the continents within them, such as the North American, African, and Antarctic plates. Smaller plates are important to shaping the Earth too. The tiny Juan de Fuca plate is largely responsible for the volcanoes that dot the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
The plates make up Earth’s outer shell, called the lithosphere (includes the crust
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