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shoreline, dispose of our wastes, and clear the land, we cause other parts of the system
to respond, often in unforeseen ways.
Energy for the Earth system
The Earth system is powered by energy from two sources. The Sun drives
external processes that occur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at Earth’s surface.
Weather and climate, ocean circulation, and erosional processes such as rivers, glaciers,
wind, and waves are driven by energy from the Sun. Earth’s interior is the second
source of energy. Heat remaining from when our planet formed, and heat that is
continuously generated by decay of radioactive elements, power the internal processes
that produce volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains.
Task 2. Pay special attention to the pronunciation of the following word-
combinations, transcribe them: carbon cycle, hydrologic cycle, atmosphere,
biosphere, geosphere.
Task 3. Provide brief answers to the following:
1. Main cycles of the Earth system.
2. Energy for the Earth system.
Test yourself
Task: Tell whether the sentences are true or false. Correct the false ones.
1. Historical geology examines the materials composing Earth and seeks to
understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface.
2. Only a small part of geology is based on measurements, observations, and
experiments conducted in the field.
3. Geology is also done in the laboratory.
4. The development of sophisticated computer models is not important for
learning about our planet’s complex systems.
5. Earth is much more than rock and soil.
6. The physical environment is traditionally divided into four major parts: the
hydrosphere, the atmosphere, the geosphere and lithosphere.
7. The biosphere is the totality of all plant and animal life on our planet.
8. The atmosphere, is a dynamic mass of water that is continually on the move.
9. The biosphere powerfully influences the other three spheres.
10. Geosphere is beneath the atmosphere and the oceans.
UNIT 2
The Rock Cycle
Task 1. Read and memorize the following words:
sedimentary - осадовий decompose – розбирати, аналізувати,
розкладати на складові частини,
розпадатися
igneous - вивержений, вулканічний, eruption - виверження
пірогенний
swamp – болото, трясовина floodplain – заплава,заливний луг
abundant – розповсюджений. influence - впливати
поширений
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