Dynamic Planet

Overview
The topic for this event varies from year to year, so in an effort to retain useful content for when topics cycle back in, yearly topics will be set up as sections within the page.

Links


 * GMOA Notes
 * General Dynamic Planet notes

General Advice
I like to start studying for this event by taking out all the earth science, ecology, and weather books I can find. Simple as they are, it might be worth your time to start with the Macmillan books. Their 'Dynamic Earth' gives you a background on earth science if you know little or none to start with. Learning some plate tectonics basics and information on ocean floor spreading out of this book will only take you a few minutes. No matter which division you are in, it is probably worth your time to read their 'Weather' book cover to cover - again, that isn't a big time commitment, and it is a good way to freshen up on the basics.

You can also use the Demystified, or the For Dummies books to start out, they usually simplify it, but give you a good overview of the material. But I would find a college textbook to use to prepare you for state or regionals, because usually its a college professor writing the test, so they will base it off a textbook. Cheap textbooks can be found at amazon.com, abebooks.com, half-priced books, ebay, and at library book sales.Also you don't have to get a specific college textbooks a general geology textbook seems to have most of the stuff listed in the rules.

If you are allowed a note sheet I wouild advise typing it up and highlighting important words and vocab. It makes everything easier to see, find and read. However, make sure the rules do not say specifically a handwritten notesheet.

Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Basic Event Info

This year only one 8.5" by 11" sheet of paper, front and back will be allowed as a resource. Therefore, you should be careful of what you put on the sheet. Only put on what you need. Don't waste space with information that you have memorized. The general topics on the test will be earthquakes, volcanoes, geology, safety precations for earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis, and then structure and interior of the earth.

Definitions/Facts
This was compiled from my note sheet during the year.

Magma-underground molten rock

Silica-determines the rate at which magma flows

Felsic magma-magma containing much silica. Thick, light in color, and slow moving

Mafic magma-magma containing low silica. Thin, dark in color, easy flowing.

Gases/Elements in magma-Water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfer, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide. sulfer dioxide, chlorine, flourine. Magamas containing more disolved gases are more explosive.

Lava-magma that reaches the sruface

more to come when I have time

Links

 * Earthquake Notes
 * Earthquake Notes2
 * Crave the Wave (seismic wave section)


 * http://geology.mines.edu/courses/sygn101/notes_page.html


 * Earth and Environmental Systems podcast, look for episodes 3-13
 * http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/GEOG102/
 * http://facweb.weber.edu/bdattilow/shknbk/notes/fltstlds.htm
 * http://www.onep.go.th/tsunamis/Tsunamis_Eng/menu1.asp
 * http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/waves.html
 * http://violingeek12.googlepages.com/computethis
 * http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/cover2.html
 * http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Volcano_types.html

Study Sites

 * Student Center's Earth Science Study Sites - lots of links
 * Frank Potter's Science Gems - Earth Science II
 * TWC - Weather Glossary - Yes, the folks at the Weather Channel actually have a good site with an amazing list of terms.
 * New York Coaches Conference
 * Earth Quake Map