Earth's Place in the Universe
I. Astronomy and planetary exploration reveal the solar system's structure, scale, and change over time.
II. Earth-based and space-based astronomy reveal the structure, scale, and changes in stars, galaxies, and the universe over time.
Dynamic Earth Processes
III. Plate tectonics operating over geologic time has changed the patterns of land, sea, and mountains on Earth's surface.
Energy in the Earth System
IV. Energy enters the Earth system primarily as solar radiation and eventually escapes as heat.
V. Heating of Earth's surface and atmosphere by the sun drives convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds and ocean currents.
VI. Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather and depends on many factors.
Biogeochemical Cycles
VII. Each element on Earth moves among reservoirs, which exist in the solid earth, in oceans, in the atmosphere, and within and among organisms as part of biogeochemical cycles.
Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere
VII. Life has changed Earth's atmosphere, and changes in the atmosphere affect conditions for life.
California Geology
VII. The geology of California underlies the state's wealth of natural resources as well as its natural hazards.
Investigation and Experimentation
1. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful
investigations.