Earth Science Outcomes
By the end of this topic you should be able to: Tick
1. Identify components of the Geological Time Scale
2. Describe Eons of the Geological Time Scale and major geological events
3. Define the term fossil
4. Explain how a fossil is formed
5. Define the term Index fossil and provide examples of an Index fossil
6. Compare Relative and Absolute Dating
7. Describe the Law of Superposition to date periods in the Geological Time
Scale
8. Draw and label the layers of the earth including the asthenosphere
9. Explain how Scientists are able to interpret the different layers of the
earth through seismic waves
10. Outline the Theory of Plate Tectonics
11. Describe how the Theory of Plate Tectonics demonstrated changes
about the structure of the Earth and the evidence to support this Theory
12. Explain convection currents
13. Relate movements of Earth’s plates due to convection currents in the
mantle and use diagrams to support the Theory
14. A) Identify the 3 types of plate movements and use diagrams to show
the differences in the plate movement
B) Label on a world map the different types of plate boundaries of where
they can be found
15. Relate these plate movements to different geological hazards, including:
A) Earthquakes
B) Volcanoes
C) Tsunami’s
16. Explain the need for research into predicting and or detecting geological
disasters
17. Describe one technology that is used to predict a volcanic eruption and
an earthquake
18. Define biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
19. Understand how the carbon cycle interacts with each of the spheres
20. Describe the impacts of volcanoes, earthquakes, cyclones and tsunami’s
have on each sphere
21. Describe 3 pieces of evidence to prove climate change – changing
isotope ratios, ice cores, human records, dendrochronology
22. Evaluate the evidence that demonstrates the impacts that humans are
having on the environment, including
A) Climate change
B) Sea level rising
C) Impacts of waste management
D) Bushfires
23. Discuss people’s differing views of about contemporary issues involving
interactions of the Earth’s spheres including climate change and land
management strategies for example waste management.
Skills
1. Drawing plate boundaries
2. Labelling graphs
3. Drawing the geological time scale, to scale
4. Evaluating data and drawing conclusions
5. Assessing the reliability and validity of information
