Ck-12 Earth Science (2009) (flexbook)

Earth Science CK-12 Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to reduce the cost of textbook materials for the K-12 market both in the U.S. and worldwide. Using an open-content, web-based collaborative model termed the "FlexBook," CK-12 intends to pioneer the generation and distribution of high quality educational content that will serve both as core text as well as provide an adaptive environment for learning. www.ck12.org CK-12 users should treat this FlexBook as anonline textbook. This FlexBook underwent a thorough review conducted by practicing teachers, domain experts, copyeditors, and technical editors. It can be used in its current form, "flexed" (customized), and/or printed by the user. CK-12 supports feedback on all of its FlexBooks so that they can be continually improved and updated, while remaining aligned with state standards and curriculum guidelines. This FlexBook contains references to additional resources and links to external websites that are provided by the contributing authors as supplemental materials. CK-12 Foundation neither endorses these references nor is responsible for their content or availability. Also, the inclusion of any reference to an external resource or link to a website does not imply endorsement by CK-12 Foundation of their owners, products or services. This material is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/). Print date:2009-06-11 16:15 CK12 psn: 810cf1364629725c50fe6b6c59b162d2 ii Authors Craig Freudenrich, John Benner, David Bethel, Dana Desonie, Corliss Karasov, Mary Lusk, Erik Ong, Kurt Rosenkrantz, and Julie Sandeen. Supported by CK-12 Foundation iii iv Contents 1. What is Earth Science?.................................................................................................................... 1 2. Studying Earth’s Surface............................................................................................................... 19 3. Earth's Minerals.............................................................................................................................. 55 4. Rocks............................................................................................................................................... 85 5. Earth's Energy.............................................................................................................................. 109 6. Plate Tectonics............................................................................................................................. 127 7. Earthquakes.................................................................................................................................. 159 8. Volcanoes...................................................................................................................................... 207 9. Weathering and Formation of Soil.............................................................................................. 235 10. Erosion and Deposition............................................................................................................... 251 11. Evidence About Earth's Past...................................................................................................... 293 12. Earth's History.............................................................................................................................. 319 13. Earth's Fresh Water...................................................................................................................... 337 14. Earth's Oceans............................................................................................................................. 359 15. Earth's Atmosphere.....................................