Ever Changing Earth

Observations vs. Inferences

What are Observations and Inferences?

Much of what we know about the Earth's interior comes from inferences that we make based on observations on the surface.

Observations are data that we gather with our 5 senses; sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste.

An inference is a conclusion that we make based on the observations that we made as well as reasoning from our own experience. It's a lot like a story that we come up with to explain what we notice in the world around us.

Video

Watch the follow video about Observations vs. Inferences. Pause and make observations and inferences of your own!

Let's begin our investigation of what is going on below the surface of the earth by observing some features on the surface.