What is karst topography and how is it formed?
Regional SpecificsKarst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant rocks, such as quartzite, given the right conditions. What is called karst topography? [ kärst ] A landscape that
What is the difference between Volcano and volcanism?
Regional SpecificsWhat is the difference between volcanism and a volcano? A volcano is a vent or a fissure in the crust from which lava (molten rock), ash, gases, rock fragments erupt from a magma chamber below the surface. Volcanism is the phenomenon of eruption of molten rock, pyroclastics and volcanic gases to the surface through a
What is intensity of an earthquake?
Regional SpecificsThe intensity is a number (written as a Roman numeral) describing the severity of an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth’s surface and on humans and their structures. Several scales exist, but the ones most commonly used in the United States are the Modified Mercalli scale and the Rossi-Forel scale. What is
What is the name of the fault line on the East Coast?
Regional SpecificsThe east coast of the United States is home to the Ramapo Fault Zone. Spanning more than 185 miles (298 km), this fault system runs between the northern Appalachian Mountains and the Piedmont region to the east. Along this fault zone is a remarkably straight magnetic line that runs between New York and Alabama along
What is a volcano and how is it formed?
Regional SpecificsA volcano is formed when hot molten rock, ash and gases escape from an opening in the Earth’s surface. The molten rock and ash solidify as they cool, forming the distinctive volcano shape shown here. As a volcano erupts, it spills lava that flows downslope. Hot ash and gases are thrown into the air. What
What happened during the Archean era?
Regional SpecificsDuring the Archean Eon, methane droplets in the air shrouded the young Earth in a global haze. There was no oxygen gas on Earth. Oxygen was only in compounds such as water. Complex chemical reactions in the young oceans transformed carbon-containing molecules into simple, living cells that did not need oxygen to live. What life