Soil Formation and Continental Drift
Soils
Soil Formation
Soil is formed by the very slow weathering of rocks.
In spaces between rock pieces, air and water enter, creating an environment for various life forms.
Living organisms and their waste contribute to decomposition through the action of bacteria and fungi.
Substances produced by decomposition combine with minerals, forming new dark minerals called humus.
Soil formed in the same place where weathering occurs is called indigenous soil.
Chips and particles resulting from weathering are
Read MoreSimple Machines and Energy Sources
Simple Machines
Inclined Plane
A ramp serves to raise loads with less effort. This sloping ramp requires a smaller force than lifting the load directly, although the distance traveled will be greater.
Lathe
A cylinder with a handle coupled to a power multiplier.
Wedge
A double inclined plane where the force applied perpendicular to the base is multiplied and transmitted to the wedge faces.
Connecting Rod
A bar linkage attached to a handle, transforming circular motion into alternating linear motion or vice-
Read MoreBiomes, Mutations, and Human-Environmental Interactions
Biomes of the World
b) The Taiga Coniferous Forest
Characteristics: Low annual average temperatures, but above 0°C. Precipitation usually falls as snow.
Location: Between 45° and 60° North latitude, covering large areas of Canada, the United States, Russia, Siberia, and Scandinavia. Also found in subalpine mountain regions.
Flora: Pine and fir forests. The evergreen canopy creates dense shade year-round, hindering the growth of herbs and shrubs.
Fauna: Squirrels, beavers, bobcats, wolves, deer, woodpeckers,
Read MoreEarth’s Interior Structure and Composition
Study of Earth’s Interior
Much of our knowledge about the Earth’s structure and composition comes from indirect studies, as direct observation is limited to approximately 10km deep within the crust.
Direct Methods
These methods involve analyzing material obtained through boreholes.
Indirect Methods
These methods rely on analyzing and interpreting the Earth’s physical characteristics, including seismic wave behavior, gravity, density, magnetism, internal heat emission, and meteorites.
Direct Methods
Based
Read MoreKey Concepts in Environmental Science
Acid Rain
Acid rain is precipitation that has become acidic due to air pollutants like SO2 and NO2. It encompasses both wet and dry deposition of acids from the atmosphere.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety and number of species within a specific geographic area.
Climate Change
Climate change is the alteration of climate patterns due to human activities, primarily the greenhouse effect and ozone layer depletion. The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) damages the ozone layer, increasing
Read MoreKey Iberian Geographical Features and Climatic Phenomena
Berrocal
Also called “chaos of balls,” berrocals are formed by the decomposition of granite, an impermeable rock that is hard but susceptible to chemical decomposition. This decomposition is intense in crack networks. Water seeps into cracks, and ice breaks the rock. This landscape is common in the Central System, particularly in the Manzanares Pedriza.
Cárcava
A recess or deep gully in the ground caused by water force on clay and loam, impermeable rocks. A set of gullies is called badlands. Gullies
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