21 Earth Surface

Section 1: Weathering and Soil

• Explain the role of weathering in recycling Earth materials.

• Discuss the processes of mechanical and chemical weathering.

• Describe the process of and controls on soil formation.

• Discuss some methods for controlling soil loss.

Section 2: Shaping the Landscape

• Explain how agents of erosion operate.

• Describe kinds of landforms created by erosion.

• Identify landforms created by deposition of eroded material.

Section 3: Groundwater

• Explain the importance of groundwater.

• Describe how groundwater is stored and obtained.

• List some concerns about future groundwater use.

Section 4: Geologic Time

• Distinguish among geologic eras, periods, and epochs.

• Explain how scientists decide when a geologic time period ends and another begins.

• Explain the methods and logic used in relative dating.

• Interpret a geologic cross section.

• Describe the methods and logic used in absolute dating.