1. Chapter 8 The Dynamic Planet
Elemental Geosystems 5e
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen

3. The Dynamic Planet The Pace of Change
Earth’s Structure and Internal Energy  
The Geologic Cycle    
Plate Tectonics  

4. The Pace of Change  
Geologic Time Scale
Uniformitarianism

5. Geologic Time Scale
Figure 8.1

6. Earth’s Structure and Internal Energy
Earth in Cross Section
Earth’s core  
Earth’s magnetism
Earth’s mantle  
Lithosphere and crust  

7. Earth in Cross Section
Figure 8.2

8. Earth’s Interior
Figure 8.2

9. Earth’s Interior
Figure 8.2

10. Earth’s Interior
Figure 8.2

11. Core to Crust
Figure 8.3

12. Isostatic Adjustment
Figure 8.4

13. The Geologic Cycle The Rock Cycle Igneous processes
Sedimentary processes  
Metamorphic processes  

14. The Geologic Cycle
Figure 8.5

15. Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks
By definition a mineral is/has
Naturally occurring
Inorganic solid
Ordered internal molecular structure
Definite chemical composition
Rock
A solid aggregate of minerals

16. Cubic Crystals of Pyrite
Figure 1.7 A

18. Elemental Abundances in Continental Crust
Figure 1.14

19. Mineral Groups Silicates Most important mineral group
Comprise most rock-forming minerals
Very abundant due to large % of silicon and oxygen in Earth’s crust
Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron
Fundamental building block
Four oxygen ions surrounding a much smaller silicon ion

20. Table 1.1

21. Quartz (SiO2) Exhibits a Variety of Colors

23. The Rock Cycle
Figure 8.6

24. Igneous Rock Types
Figure 8.7

25. Intrusive and Extrusive Rocks
Figure 8.8

26. Course-Grained Igneous Texture
Figure 2.4 B

27. Sedimentary Rock Types
Figure 8.9

28. Metamorphic Rocks
Figure 8.12

29. Plate Tectonics A Brief History
Sea-Floor Spreading and Production of New Crust  
Subduction of the Crust  
The Formation and Breakup of Pangaea  
Plate Boundaries  
Earthquake and Volcanic Activity  
Hot Spots

30. Crustal Movements
Figure 8.13

31. Continents Adrift
Figure 8.15

32. Magnetic Reversals
Figure 8.14

33. Ocean Floor
Figure 8.17

34. Earth’s Major Plates
Figure 8.16

35. Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Figure 8.18

36. Hot Spot Tracks
Figure 8.19

37. Elemental Geosystems 5e
End of Chapter 8
Elemental Geosystems 5e
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen