Abstract This study discusses the Pre-Cambrian Period, roughly some two billion years ago, and in particular, fossils that have been found from that time period. The paper discusses three types of fossils that have been left behind -- body, trace and chemical and that these can be readily found within rocks formed during the Archaean and Proterozoic Periods.
From the Paper "During this time, a number of life forms emerged and left behind three types of fossils--body, trace and chemical, which can be readily found within rocks formed during the Archaean and Proterozoic Periods. Some of these fossils are actual cellular remains, something which Donovan admits is extremely rare in rocks of this age. The oldest have been dated as about 3.5 billion years and can be found in cherts from the Warrawoona Group near the North Pole, being northwest of Australia, and in the Onverwacht Group in eastern Transvaal (South Africa)."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the Appalachian mountain region. The writer notes that today the region has a reputation that is rich in resources with a notoriously poor economy and people. The writer maintains that this is no doubt the legacy of the exploitative nature of early industrialization in the Appalachia area. The writer concludes that as infrastructure is developed there is less and less need for some of the region's riches and conversely as the resources available are depleted, industry looks elsewhere for a point of need, leaving behind the generations of workers dependant upon this type of development. The writer contends that it is for this reason that the future of the Appalachian region is yet unknown, and will continue to be a region of flux for many years to come.
From the Paper "The Appalachian mountain region was the first American frontier, sought after as a place to romantically recreate the American dream of idealistic frontiersmanship. The mountains were the back door to many of the original American colonies and within them to the settlers of the nation lay unknown riches and exotic cultures, yet to be experienced or some would say exploited by the Europeans and the American settlers. They were the first areas to be traversed and eventually developed. The name of the area is a result of the goals of the Spanish to find wealth through gold mining as the area is named for the first group of Native Americans to point toward the forests and claim them rich in gold, the Appalachee. It is thought that they may have done so to send their unwanted guests away from them but none the less the name stuck."
Abstract This paper explains that Crater Lake, Oregon, which is the deepest lake in the United States, was formed, some 7,000 years ago, as the cavity from the collapse of a volcano filled with water. The author points out that the lake is renewed from rain and snow runoff each year. The paper notes the different organisms living in the lake and the depths at which they are found.
From the Paper "Crater Lake, Oregon offers a number of interesting geological and biological features that exist because of the way the region was formed and the history since. Much of the biology of the region remains uncertain, for studies have only been undertaken in depth in the last 20 years. This fact makes the region especially interesting as new knowledge is gleaned about such lake systems and their interaction with the surrounding area. Crater Lake was formed from the eruption of Mount Mazama, leaving the crater that would fill with water and become Crater Lake. Once the volcano had erupted, it left a 4,000 foot deep caldera and a myriad of other geologic formations ("Crater Lake: History" para. 6). A U.S. Geological Survey party examined the area in 1959 and made sonar readings establishing the depth of the lake at its deepest point as 1,932 feet."
Abstract This paper discusses two articles by the South Asian writer Ajith Samaranayake. The writer explains that these articles deal with the impact of the recent tsunami disaster on the South Asian region in general and the island of Sri Lanka in particular. The writer further comments that these writings raise many issues of importance from a sociological perspective. This essay explores the conceptual framework employed by the writer to make sense of the disaster, with an emphasis on macro level concepts.
From the Paper "The two articles by the South Asian writer Ajith Samaranayake dealing with the impact of the recent tsunami disaster on the South Asian region in general, and the island of Sri Lanka in particular, raise many issues of importance from a sociological perspective. This essay explores the conceptual framework employed by the writer to make sense of the disaster, with an emphasis on macro-level concepts. As will be seen, both articles highlight the dynamic tension that exists in an industrializing society between secular ideologies and modernity and religious traditions."
Abstract In this article, the writer studies the environmental and demographic history of Easter Island. The writer maintains that basically Easter Island was very isolated. The writer points out that the human population grew quickly. Further, the writer notes that eventually most of the resources were depleted and the civilization collapsed.
From the Paper "Easter Island is one of the most unusual places on the planet. It is one of the most isolated places occupied by humans. In 'A Green History of the World' Clive Ponting notes, Easter Island is one of the most remote, inhabited places on earth. Only some 150 square miles in area, it lies in the Pacific Ocean, 2,000 miles off the west coast of South America and 1,250 miles from the nearest inhabitable land of Pitcairn Island. The extreme isolation of Easter Island or Rapa Nui is not the islands most distinguishing feature."
This paper contrasts the geography of Nunavut in Canada's northern and southern regions and discusses the climate, environment, glacial formations and the Arctic Tundra.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 2005, $ 71.95
Abstract In this paper this geographical study examines the nature of geological formations in the country of Nunavut and presents the affect these landmasses have within the environment and the climate they reflect. By contrasting the Arctic tundra of the North to the warmer climates of the smaller southwestern portion of Nunavut the writer points out that there is a major difference in the habitability of these regions. The writer notes that although they show different temperatures, they impose a chain reaction that is not disconnected to the overall well being of the environment.
From the Paper "This geographical study analyzes the land and climate related to the Nunavut, a region in Canada's arctic sector. By presenting the icy and cold landmasses that are part of this region, one can realize the many waterways and island formations that are responsible for marine activity of the natives that abide here. By understanding the geographical aspects of the tundra and glacial formations, Nunavut is a region of Canada's arctic that is mostly barren, and covered with snow and frozen precipitation."
Abstract The paper discusses myths and theories that have been disproved by science. The paper examines the theory of uniformitarianism. The paper explains that the idea is that the earth has been a very stable planet. The assignment looks at how new discoveries that have been proven eroded support for this theory and eventually continental drift has taken its place.
From the Paper "Myths and theories are used by human cultures to make sense of the world. However, myths and theories can share a similar fate. This is because scientific investigation can disprove both myths and theories. This is made possible by the fact that science also provides a way to make sense of the world. One theory that seems to have been virtually destroyed by geologists is known as uniformitarianism. Uniformitarianism assumes that the earth and its continents are incredibly stable and almost never change (Benton 24)."
Abstract This researches the cause of the earthquake that led to the tsunamis around Indian Ocean. It explains that one of the most devastated places was Banda Aceh province in Sumatra Island. The paper also examines the emotional effects of the tsunami, it describes the tragedy for the population and the extents of the catastrophe.
Abstract This paper explores the last repercussions of the Little Ice Age on North America. Although this geological event took place many millennia ago, its impact is still felt by the amount of water available in certain regions and the quality of soil for agricultural use. The author contents that radical environmental changes have major repercussions for humans.
Abstract This paper analyzes various studies of climate change and its effect on human culture in the Great Plains area of the United States, citing climate change on prehistoric cultures in southern high plains of Texas and New Mexico, determining what the climate change in the region of the Southern high plans may have been and examining changes in the culture of the native population that resulted from this change.
From the Paper "In this era of concern about global warming, more and more research has been conducted into climate change in the past. One area of such research has been into the impact of climate change on prehistoric cultures in southern high plains of Texas and New Mexico, determining what the climate change in the region of the Southern high plans may have been and examining changes in the culture of the native population that resulted from this change. From such research, certain patterns have emerged and have engendered further study."
Abstract This paper explains that wildlife around the world is being affected by global warming and that the importance and impact of global climate changes have constituted discernible factors within our ecosystem. The paper further explains that these factors have disrupted animal and plant populations whereas further extirpation may result in extinction. In addition, there may be changes associated with migrating tendency, timing of events, distribution ranges, migrating routes and stopovers, traits of the birds and their population.
Abstract The Universe around us still contains many mysteries that are the subject of both our imagination and scientific research. One of the oldest questions is the question of creation. The currently accepted theory that addresses this problem is so called The Big Bang Theory. Even though there are still some skeptics regarding its validity, it is the hypothesis that has found solid evidence. This paper discusses the big bang theory, pioneered by George Gamow who based his ideas on the previous concept of exploding 'primeval atom.
Discusses the conclusions reached, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, about the changes that have taken place in physical and biological systems as a result of the shifting global climate.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 5 sources, 2006, $ 89.95
Abstract The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a body encompassing over 700 scientists from 100 different countries. This paper discusses this organization and the 1,000 page report it released in February 2001 stating that recent changes in the world's climate have had apparent impacts in physical and biological systems. The paper explains that the IPCC stressed the fact that most of the warming trend over the last fifty years can be attributed to human activities.
Abstract This paper discusses the effect that clouds have on the greenhouse effect. The paper is written as if it were discussing the opinions of three groups of scientists. The first group believes that clouds counteract the greenhouse effect; the second says they make it worse and the last don't know.
From the Paper "The greenhouse effect is one of the least understood environmental problems. Most people think of the greenhouse effect in negative terms. However, it must be realized that the greenhouse effect is essential for life of earth. For example, in A Green History of the World Clive Ponting states, Without greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to trap outgoing terrestrial infra-red radiation, the average temperature on the earth would be about -18 degrees Celsius and too cold for life. These gases primarily carbon dioxide and methane, maintain the temperature at about 15 degrees Celsius (Ponting, 1991, p. 387)."
Abstract In this essay the writer offers a short overview of Martian climate. First, the composition and characteristics of Martian atmosphere are presented. Then the major features of Martian climate are given with a special emphasis on wind formation. The final part is devoted to dust formation and dust storms on the Red Planet. A short fact-sheet about the planet is provided as introduction.
From the Paper "Mars is the fourth planet of our Solar System. Its average distance from the sun is 2.28 x 10^8 km, which is 1.54 times larger than Earth's average distance. As a result Mars years are much longer - 687 Earth days. Compared to Earth's orbit, Mars' orbit is more elliptical bringing the planet 206.5 million km from the sun at perihelion and 249.1 million km at aphelion."
