on October 1, 2022
How does metamorphism change talc into soapstone?
Earth scienceAsked by: Christine Harris How is soapstone formed? Soapstone is formed by the metamorphism of ultramafic protoliths (e.g. dunite or serpentinite) and the metasomatism of siliceous dolomites. By mass, “pure” steatite is roughly 63.37% silica, 31.88% magnesia, and 4.74% water. It commonly contains minor quantities of other oxides such as CaO or Al2O3. What does
on October 1, 2022
Is there any link between sea-water inflitration into groundwater and nitrate?
Earth scienceAsked by: Christian Myers What sources cause nitrates in groundwater? Nitrates can get into groundwater from many sources, including fertilizers, manure on the land, and liquid waste discharged from septic tanks. Natural bacteria in soil converts various forms of nitrogen into nitrate. Rain and irrigation water can carry nitrate down through the soil into groundwater.
on October 1, 2022
Why does NW coast of Scotland look like it does? (Similar to Norway, so different to other European coastlines)
Earth scienceAsked by: Christian Myers These are actually a geological feature called “fjord” which the Scandinavian Peninsula and surroundings (including Scotland) are known for. It is the result of glacial erosion during the Ice Ages. Was Scotland connected to Norway? Scotland and Norway share strong links that stretch right back to Viking times. Northern Scotland, was,
on October 1, 2022
What influences the movement (speed and direction) of tropical cyclones?
Earth scienceAsked by: Carlos Rothstein What influences the movement of a tropical cyclone? Tropical cyclone tracks Their motion is due in large part to the general circulation of Earth’s atmosphere. Surface winds in the tropics, known as the trade winds, blow from east to west, and they are responsible for the general westward motion of tropical
on October 1, 2022
Is the Earth heated up by the tides?
Earth scienceAsked by: Carlos Rothstein Tidal forces contribute to heating in Earth’s interior. “The tides generate friction, and friction leads to heat,” explained René Heller, a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and a lecturer at the University of Göttingen in Germany. Do tides produce heat? Tidal heating (also known as tidal
on October 1, 2022
Why are oceans so deep?
Earth scienceAsked by: Jessica Moore The extreme depth of the Mariana TrenchMariana TrenchThe Mariana Trench or Marianas Trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean about 200 kilometres (124 mi) east of the Mariana Islands; it is the deepest oceanic trench on Earth. It is crescent-shaped and measures about 2,550 km (1,580 mi) in length and
on October 1, 2022
Does crustal thickness have anything to do with how life existed and sustained on Earth?
Earth scienceAsked by: Jessica Moore Why does the Earth’s crust is significant to living beings? The Earth’s crust, along with the upper mantle, has its necessary role in the dynamic creation and destruction of the crustal surface in which all living organisms thrive on. In which layer of the Earth does life exist? Biosphere The The
on October 1, 2022
Are there any areas on Earth with purplish-colored soil/sand/rock/land?
Earth scienceAsked by: Tashoomaa Foley Which soil is purple in Colour? The only purple mineral I know for sure is amethyst. Is there purple soil? Purple soil is mainly distributed in the Sichuan Basin of southwestern China and has developed from purple rocks or their rapid weathering products, thus inheriting many of the characteristics of the
on October 1, 2022
How big of an issue are Nitrogen and phosphorus flows to the biosphere and oceans?
Earth scienceAsked by: Tashoomaa Foley How does phosphorus move through the biosphere *? Phosphorus enters the atmosphere from volcanic aerosols. As this aerosol precipitates to earth, it enters terrestrial food webs. Some of the phosphorus from terrestrial food webs dissolves in streams and lakes, and the remainder enters the soil. Another source of phosphorus is fertilizers.
on October 1, 2022
Why high tides occur simultaneously on opposite sides of the Earth?
Earth scienceAsked by: Heather Barlow This is due to the fact that around the Moon is pulling on the Earth, and the ocean, on the sides facing the Moon. The Earth compensates for this pulling by bulging out both toward and away from the Moon. This results in more water being displaced in these directions, resulting