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Topic I-6

Our planetary home




P i c t u r e s

6.1. Overview


 

 Astronomical symbol: 

   

AU ?
     

Rotation Period: 23h56m

Tilt of axis: 23.45 °

Mass : 6 x 10 24 kg
;
Radius : 6.4 x 10 6 m
                                  
Atmospheric pressure: 1 bar (105 Pa)
                                         



6.2. Inside the Earth
 

 

 

 


 

 

Note


6.3. On the Earth

 

 


 

 

 

 

magnetization symmetric!
 

 

 

 




  Tectonic Plates



continental plates                                         oceanic plates

  Geological activity at plate boundaries:

 rift zone  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






  Fault line
     

earthquake




Now ?


 Two continenal plates collide


 

 



 Tectonic forces                                         erosion

Young mountains
Old mountains
 
 
 
 
 
                   subduction zone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




6.4. Above the Earth

 105 Pa (1 bar)

 
 
 
 
 
 troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer, ionosphere  
 
 
 
 

  • 78%
  • 21%
  • 1%

  Weather

  • troposphere
 
 
 
 
 

  Global warming

 

  Greenhouse Effect

  • CO2

  • CFC's

  • 20 degrees

     
     
     
     

  • CFC's                                         ozone layer,
     
    ultraviolet radiation.

 The ice ages
Earth's axis.


6.5. Life

 All forms of life on Earth are related

 3.5 billion years ago

 Early atmosphere:

 Life interacts with Earth, modifies it.

 

 Life is not just a tenant ("kiracI")

 

  Gaia Hypothesis: that the whole Earth can be considered a living organism

 


References:

Explorations: Ch.5: The Earth;        Earth from The Nine Planets by Bill Arnett
Click on the icons below to go to pictures:

Big global picture with Africa, Turkey, Cuprus, etc visible. Taken by Apollo 11.

Big global picture with Africa and Antarctica visible.

Picture taken by Galileo at its second Earth-flyby. Shows Earth and Moon together.

Links to more Earth Pictures

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