Earth Systems

The following topic has been broken down into 4 components. Click on the part you wish to learn about in more detail below.

Plate Tectonic TheoryEcosystems over time
Impact of Natural eventsEnvironmental Management
Building for FireEarth Spheres

Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Work your way down to the centre of the Earth
Stop Disasters Game – Can you help save us from the next natural disaster?

Topic Revision

Year 9 Earth Systems Revision

  1. Define the following terms:
– biotic feature
– abiotic feature
– producer
– consumer
– photosynthesis
– respiration
– transpiration		– evaporation
– condensation
– precipitation
– ecology
– food chain
– food web
– fossil fuel		– subduction
– transform
– constructive
– destructive
– sea-floor spreading
– mid-ocean ridge
  1. Define the term ecosystem. Describe how we can measure and describe the types of plants and animals living in an ecosystem. Explain why these techniques are used.
  2. Name 3 materials (elements) that are recycled in ecosystems (nature). Be familiar with the basics of each cycle, in case you have to draw a simplified version of one in your exam. Why is this recycling necessary?
  3. Identify the fossil fuel that is burnt to produce electricity on a large scale in Australia.
  4. Identify the major waste product from the burning of this fossil fuel.
  5. Describe the impact of this waste product on our environment (relate to greenhouse effect).
  6. Describe at least 2 strategies that can be put into place to reduce this impact? (Consider the use of non-renewable resources)
  7. Describe the pieces of evidence for crustal plates moving over time. What is the name of the person who first proposed this theory?
  8. What does the theory of Plate Tectonics say? Explain with drawings if possible.
  9.  Describe the three types of interactions that can happen when tectonic plates meet.
  10.  Define the terms hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.
  11.  Describe how earthquakes occur.
  12.  Explain how earthquakes and tsunamis are linked.
  13.  Explain how volcanos form. Where are we most likely to find them?
  14.  Describe a positive and negative implication of cyclones, volcanoes and earthquakes on each of the above spheres.