Astronomy/Geology 1070: Earth: Its Physical Environment

University of Wyoming

Third Homework Assignment, Due September 17, 2009
10 points

To receive credit, your completed assignment must be submitted to me by the beginning of class on Thursday, September 17.

Do one, and only one, of the following:

1. Shorelines.

The Earth is thousands of millions of years old. Over time, wave erosion wears away beach headlands. Why, then, are many modern shorelines irregular rather than straight?

2. Wind and water.

Make a table comparing erosion by wind and streams. On the left side of the table, write characteristic properties and features of wind erosion, and on the right the characteristic properties and features of stream erosion. include:

• Where erosion occurs
• Where deposition occurs
• Erosional landforms
• Depositional labdforms (types of deposits)
• Materials transported
 
3. Scientific progress and continental drift.

Critics of science like to cite continental drift as an idea that was widely rejected by the scientific establishment before it was widely embraced. In being sow to accept continental drift, did the scientific establishment act appropriately oir unwisely? Explain and defend your position. Use specific examples.

Your answers should thoroughly address all points of the question. Adequate answers will be clear and several paragraphs long.

I implore you: Do not turn in paper that has ragged edges! If you write your work in a spiral-bound notebook, trim the edge before submitting it. Papers with ragged edges will be returned unmarked. (That means zero credit.)