1.

The global hydrologic cycle was established well before humans began to take
large volumes of groundwater out of aquifers to use for irrigation. What is the
immediate fate of the water that is withdrawn for irrigation? Where does it go?
What are the long-term implications for other components of the hydrologic cycle
if we continue to use large volumes of groundwater for irrigation faster than it can
be replenished? A complete answer will address both the immediate fate of
irrigation water, and how using groundwater for irrigation impacts the entire
hydrologic cycle. Refer to the components of the hydrologic cycle (ex: streams,
ice, groundwater, etc.) AND the processes of the hydrologic cycle (ex:
evaporation, precipitation, etc.).

2. Rocks make up a large portion of the geosphere (the solid earth). The system on
earth that contains all living things is the biosphere. Explain how the biosphere
can have an impact on the geosphere (in particular, sediments and sedimentary
rocks). How do the biosphere and geosphere interact - how does the biosphere
play a role in the formation or modification of sediments/sed rocks. Discuss at
least two ways the biosphere impacts the geosphere.

3. What is absolute age vs. relative age? How do we as geologists know what the
absolute age of the earth is? How do we know the age of any rocks? For
materials that cannot yield an absolute age by this method, how do we know how
old they are? A complete answer will include a brief description of the method
scientists use to get an ABSOLUTE age for an earth material, and how we
determine ages when this method isn’t possible.

4. Explain the statement “oceans are dynamic.” How do oceans contribute to global
climate control and fluctuation. Why are oceans such powerful influencers on the
earth system? A complete answer will discuss how oceans influence global
climate and at least one other way that oceans contribute to changes in the earth
system.

5. What is a mass extinction event? Why do scientists want to study and understand
mass extinction events? What information can be gained by studying these
events? Why might some species go extinct and others not? How does a mass
extinction event affect biodiversity? A complete answer will address each of
these questions and explain at least one example of a past mass extinction event
and its significance.

6. Weathering and erosion are important processes on the Earth. Compare how rock
type, rock properties, and climate affect weathering of rock and erosion of
shorelines. A complete answer will include both physical and chemical
weathering, and how and why active and passive continental margins have
different shoreline erosion.
7. What is the rock cycle? Explain how a type of rock can become any other type of
rock. Be sure to include a discussion of the processes the rock may experience
and how it becomes other types of rocks (note: by types I mean igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic).

8. Explain how the atmosphere of the Earth came to be what it is today. A complete
answer will discuss the origination of the atmosphere, what its original
composition was like and why, and what the composition is today. Make sure to
include a discussion of why the atmosphere is different today than it was when it
first formed. You may also compare our atmosphere to that of other planets.