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Chapter 3: - The Structure and History of the Earth

from Part I - Introduction to the Scientific Perspective on the Past

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2022

Brian Villmoare
Brian Villmoare
Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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Summary

This chapter introduces the idea of Earth’s timeline and the six major epochs. The principle of radiometric dating is introduced here, to provide the absolute age of the earth and other geological features. This chapter also provides a brief outline of geological principles, and especially emphasizes the importance of plate tectonics and continental drift, to explain the contours and positions of the continents, oceans, mountain ranges, and rifts. It introduces the idea of understanding the importance of geology/climate in driving biological evolution.

Keywords

Earthgeologyplate tectonicscontinental driftmagnetosphereMarsradiometric datingwater
Type
Chapter
Information
The Evolution of Everything
The Patterns and Causes of Big History
 , pp. 31 - 45
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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