Handout 1 (1-2) "The Inner Planets" (pink) #’s 26-30 and 34-39 Page 12 Astronomy Workbook Comparing Earth’s and Mars’ ability to support life Handout 1 (1-2) "The Inner Planets" (pink) #’s 26-30 and 34-39

Earth’s ability to support life Handout 1 (1-2) "The Inner Planets" (pink) #’s 26-30

Earth

26 Over the last ______________ years, Earth’s continents separated from a single landmass and drifted to their present. 250 million

27 What two factors have caused the surface of Earth to keep changing? Weathering and erosion

28 Why is Earth the only planet on which water exists in a liquid state? Earth’s unique atmosphere Distance from sun allows water to exist in the liquid state

29 How was Earth able to maintain the moderate temperatures that were necessary to support life? The oceans and atmosphere help Earth to have moderate temperatures.

30 What three elements does Earth have in the proper combination necessary to support life? Water, oxygen, and temperature

Mars’ ability to support life Handout 1 (1-2) "The Inner Planets" (pink) #’s 34-39

Mars

34 Why are Mars’s seasons similar to Earth’s? Its axis tilts at nearly the same angle as Earth’s.

35 Mars is believed to have been geologically active because of its massive volcanoes and a system of deep ________________ on its surface. canyons

36 One of the many major volcanic regions on Mars is called ___________________. Tharis Montes

37 The largest volcano on Mars is ___________________________, which is three times the height of Mount Everest. Olympus Mons

38 Why do scientists think that Martian volcanoes have grown so large? Mars does not have tectonic plates

39 Two seismic wave-producing geological events called _______________________ indicate that volcanoes on Mars may still be active. mars quakes

Diagram Ideas Pages 698, 699, and 700