Atmospheric Moisture, Humidity, and Evapotranspiration Dynamics

Atmospheric Moisture

Source of Atmospheric Moisture

Atmospheric moisture originates with the gasification of water from oceans, lakes, rivers, soils, vegetation, and wildlife, as well as humanity (breathing). Moisture also results from human activities such as waste combustion and the advent of steam engines.

Humidity and Water Vapor Concepts

Moist Air and Water Vapor

Water vapor is a component of the mixture of atmospheric air. Moist air is defined as a mixture of dry air and water vapor.

Vapor Pressure

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Soil Erosion Control and Conservation Techniques

Understanding Soil Erosion and Its Effects

Factors Influencing Soil Erosion

Soil properties such as texture, structure, and organic matter influence the detachment and transportation processes of soil particles.

Types of Soil Erosion

Accelerated Soil Erosion

This is a more rapid form of erosion than natural or geological erosion, often caused by unnatural human activities.

Gravitational Erosion

While not as common as water erosion, gravitational erosion can cause significant damage to natural and man-made

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Earthquake Science: Faults, Waves, Measurement, and Hazards

*EARTHQUAKES:

-in plate boundries bc is where most jaults jostle, collide with, or slide past each other. Also in transform fault zones.

-fault: planar breaks and displacement happens

-fault plane: plane which displacement occurs 

*stirke-

Slip

*reverse -> <-

*normal <- ->

-creep: if a displacement is gradual,smooth there is no seismic activity or earthquake (aseismic slip)

-earthquake:is displacement is quick, earthquake happens (seismic slip)

elastic rebound: two slides of the fault snap back

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Architectural Innovations of the Great Mosque of Córdoba

The Double-Arch System

The innovative system of overlapping arches was designed to provide greater elevation for the prayer hall. A column is placed on top of a pillar, approximately 2 meters high, from which the upper arch springs. This design incorporates Visigothic-style horseshoe arches at the bottom, which act as straps to prevent collapse, a significant improvement over the simple beams or braces used previously.

Horseshoe Arch Characteristics

The horseshoe arch features a camber of one-third

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Geological Time Scale and Principles of Stratigraphy

Steno’s Fundamental Principles

Nicolas Steno proposed three main principles in stratigraphy:

  • The Principle of Original Horizontality of the Strata.
  • The Principle of Lateral Continuity of the Strata.
  • The Principle of Superposition of the Strata.

Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

An event or feature that cuts across layers of rock must be younger than the layers it affects.

Principle of Faunal Succession

The fossils within rock layers are from the time the rock was deposited. Therefore, we can recognize

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Natural Disaster Phenomena: Storms, Floods, and Landslides

Tornadoes: Formation and Impact

Tornadoes are violent storms that strike as a powerful, rotating mixture of wind and thunderstorm clouds, extending from the clouds to the ground in a funnel shape. They are known to be the most powerful and destructive atmospheric wind systems. They are very common in the USA, particularly across the middle belt extending to the East Coast.

When and How Tornadoes Form

Tornadoes usually occur during the daytime, typically from mid-afternoon until early evening. Their

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