More recent studies of continental matchups and the magnetic ages of ocean-floor rocks have enabled us to reconstruct the history of the break-up of Pangea.

measuring the flow of heat from the ocean floor.

paleomagnetism, the record of Earth’s magnetic field through time

One proponent of this idea

geosynclines

it came with its own set of problems.

it must also be shrinking.

Eon is the largest division of time, followed by era, period, epoch, and age.

Ichnology is specifically the study of prehistoric animal tracks

There are three types of unconformities, nonconformity, disconformity, and angular unconformity.

However, it is hard to know if Earth processes could have changed the water’s isotopic signature over the last 4-plus billion years. It is possible that all three sources contributed to the origin of Earth’s water.

Fusion is a steady and predictable process,

Another process must be responsible for creating the other 90 heavier elements.

Figure 1.5.121.5.12\PageIndex{12}: Geologic time scale showing time period names and ages. (Source: Belinda Madsen)

Earth System Science includes five basic systems (or spheres), the Geosphere (the solid body of the Earth), the Atmosphere (the gas envelope surrounding the Earth), the Hydrosphere(water in all its forms at and near the surface of the Earth), the Cryosphere (frozen water part of Earth), and the Biosphere (life on Earth in all its forms and interactions, including humankind)

Deductive reasoning starts with generalized principles and logically extends them to new ideas or specific conclusions.

Formulate a question or observe a problem Apply objective experimentation and observation Analyze collected data and Interpret results Devise an evidence-based theory Submit findings to peer review and/or publication

Humans are biased by nature, so they cannot be completely objective; the goal is to be as unbiased as possible.