Geomorphology

Wednesday, 5 January 2022 6:41 PM

Origin of Earth
• Nebular Theory of Laplace
○ Nebula -> gaseous cloud of H, He - Spinning fast - Radiation-
cooling-contracting
○ Separation of outer ring -> 9 parts = 9 planets

○ Heavier elements near the core and lighter at the surface of ea

○ Interior of Earth (Evidences of Laplace)
§ Density study : surface- 2-2.5, but overall density- 5
§ Temperature study: Temp at earth deep high(residual
energy)
§ Structural study
□ Direct evidences - mines
□ Indirect evidences - moon material etc.

• Edward Suess (divided earth into three layers)

○ Outer layer (continents) - SIAL
○ Mantle and oceanic crust - SIMA
○ Core - Ni + Fe
§ Rejected model
arth
 ○ Outer layer (continents) - SIAL
○ Mantle and oceanic crust - SIMA
○ Core - Ni + Fe
§ Rejected model
• Seismic wave studies
○ Mechanical waves = needs mediums to propagate
○ Their behavior changes with change of medium
○ 2 imp waves: P waves and S waves
§ S : can travel through Solids and Gas medium
§ P : can travel in all 3 mediums

○ Observations:
§ Asthenosphere - semi-molten
§ Beyond Asthenosphere - mantle rocks are dense
§ Outer core- liquid, Inner core- solid

• Composition of interior of the earth

• Rocks of the Earth
○ Igneous rocks
○ Metamorphous rocks
○ Sedimentary rocks
• Rock Cycle
Properties of Rock
• Igneous rocks
○ Formed due to solidification of magma(interior) or lava(ext.)
○ They don’t have strata or layers - bcs entire lava is solidified
○ They are crystalline
○ They don't have fossils
• Sedimentary rocks
○ Formed due to lithification of soil
○ Erosion of rocks -> deposition of granules -> compaction ->
lithification
○ Always stratified
○ They may have fossils
• Metamorphous rocks
○ Both igneous and sedimentary rocks can change into meta.
○ No stratification, no fossils

• Geological time scale of Earth

• Geological time scale of Earth

• Rodinia in Pre-Cambrian
• Mesozoic merger - Pangea
• Breakup of Pangea - 200ml years ago

• Breakup of Gondwana - 165ml years ago