Miss Scott

 Many new discoveries using technology have added to our knowledge of our planet. ◦ However our current knowledge is an accumulation of many centuries of study.  Many of the ideas in Phys. Geo are “theories”  Explanations based on accumulated knowledge; they can be altered or proven wrong as new discoveries are made.  Christopher Columbus and the world is Flat

 As knowledge begins to accumulate to prove a theory to be incorrect, the theory becomes credible and widely accepted.  Geological Time is an idea that is deemed credible and is accepted.

 It wasn’t until the geological time and an understanding of the dynamic of the Earth that humans began to appreciate the beauty and nature of our planet.  Much of our understanding of the Earth is based on assumptions of the past ◦ These assumptions create the Law of Uniformitariansim

 The law that states that the world HAS NOT always been the same nor the rate of change is always the same.  However, the processes that influence our planet act the same way as the they did in the past. ◦ Ex. A wave crashing on the shore millions of years ago would be the same as a wave crashing today.

 Most times we believe that geological changes occur over a long period of time; however, this isn`t always true.  There is increasing evidence that catastrophic events have played a part in shaping our planet. ◦ Collisions of large meteors ◦ Volcano eruptions ◦ Etc.

 What geological time is New Brunswick’s landscape made of?

 Proposed by James E. Lovelock  Challenges us to go beyond the view that life exists simply as a response to the physical conditions in a place and to examine life on Earth has influenced our physical environment. ◦ Ex. Pollution, wastes, etc.

 The hypothesis suggest that the biosphere is like living organism that can influence its own evolution through natural mechanisms, such as temp. changes and chemical modifications.

 “The oceans, lakes, rivers, and the soil of our planet sustain life and help us to define who we are as a species” ◦ Looking at the statement above do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Please give a written response.

 On page 13 in your text book please do questions #6, 7a, and 7b.