1. Hypothesis on Earth Formation
Uniformitarianism
Catastrophism
The view that most of earth’s geological features are the result of slow, gradual processes that have been at work for millions or even billions of years.
The view that most of earth’s geological features are the result of large-scale catastrophes such as floods, volcanic eruptions, etc.

2. Uniformitarianism
Catastrophism

3. Soil, Rocks, and Minerals
Humus – The decayed remains of once-living creatures This! Not this!

4. Soil, Rocks, and Minerals
Magma -  a mixture of molten and semi-molten rock found beneath the surface of the Earth.

5. Soil, Rocks, and Minerals
Sediments – sand, silt, minerals, and other components of soil laid down by water or some other agent.

6. Soil, Rocks, and Minerals
Minerals – Inorganic crystalline substance found naturally in the earth.

7. Types of Rocks
There are basically 3 different kinds of rocks that make up the earth’s crust

8. Sedimentary
Formed by sediments laid down by water or some other agent.
Sediments begin to pile up and can be cemented together due to chemical reactions and / or heat and pressure
Makes up about 8% of the earths crust.
Usually the topmost layer of the earth’s crust, so it is the most common kind of rock people encounter.

9. Igneous
Formed from molten rock usually called magma when it cools and solidifies.
Are formed deep inside Earth's crust (most often) or at the surface (usually only as a result of volcanic activity).

10. Metamorphic
Rock that has undergone change that is usually due to heat and / or pressure
Can be formed from both Igneous and Sedimentary rocks.

11. Strata A layer or a series of layers of rock in the ground.
When a single layer of rock is less than 1 cm thick, it is called a Lamination.
Several Laminations together are called Laminae.

12. Weathering
The process by which rocks are broken down to form sediments
There are both Chemical and Physical Weathering.

13. Chemical Weathering
Any of the various weathering processes that cause exposed rock to undergo chemical decomposition, that change the chemical and mineralogical composition of the rock.
Oxygen and acids are agents in chemical weathering.

14. Physical Weathering
 Refers to the geological process of rocks breaking apart without changing their chemical composition.
 Can be caused by the effects of changing temperature on rocks, water, and wind.

15. Weathering
Chemical
Physical

16. Weathering Chemical Physical
Click on this National Geographic link to see more examples of weathering

17. Erosion

18. Erosion Can be caused by
Water
Running water
Ice
Precipitation
Wind
The force of the wind itself
Particles that the wind carries

19. Erosion Can cause… The formation of rivers, gullies, and washouts
The formation of sediments
These sediments can form things like deltas and sand bars
The formation of underground caverns

20. Rivers, Gullies, and Washouts

21. Deltas, Sandbars, and Alluvial fans

22. Underground Caverns

23. Underground caverns Many contain Streams or Lakes
Most have Groundwater seeping into them and tend to be damp
Sediments in this ground water can cause Stalactites and Stalagmites to form

24. Stalactites Starts forming on the ceiling down like icicles

25. Stalagmites Forms from the ground up

26. Column or Pillars A stalactite and a stalagmite grow until they meet

27. Stalactites and Stalagmites can form in other places besides caves
Stalactites and Stalagmites can form in other places besides caves. They are all formed by sediment being deposited by seeping water.

28. Unconformity A surface of erosion that separates one layer of rock from another

31. Check out these Geotripper Images to see real life pictures of different types of Unconformities

32. Nonconformity vs disconformity
A Disconformity represents missing time. This may be either the result of erosion or non-deposition. You may or may not see a difference in the attitudes of the rocks that bracket the disconformity. A DISconformity means the rocks are DIScontinuous. A nonconformity occurs when 2 different rock types come into physical contact with one another, i.e. igneous rock on sedimentary rock, or sedimentary rock and metamorphic rock. A NONconformity is when the rocks are NOT the same.

33. Disconformity The rocks are DIScontinuous.
Nonconformity
The rocks are NOT the same.
Disconformity The rocks are DIScontinuous.

34. Unconformities in The Grand Canyon