Earth Systems Atlas Reference
Earth Systems Atlas
Grade 5 & Grade 8 Science Reference
REF: NC.5.E.1 | NC.8.E.1-2
Grade 5 Focus: Weather & Water
The Water Cycle
- Evaporation: Liquid water turns to gas (vapor) via sun's heat.
- Transpiration: Plants release water vapor into the air.
- Condensation: Vapor cools to form clouds (gas to liquid).
- Precipitation: Rain, snow, sleet, or hail falling to Earth.
- Runoff: Water flowing over land into bodies of water.
Weather Instruments
Anemometer: Wind Speed
Barometer: Air Pressure
Hygrometer: Humidity
Rain Gauge: Precipitation
Cloud Types
Cirrus: High, wispy, ice crystals. Fair weather.
Cumulus: Puffy, white cotton balls. Fair weather.
Stratus: Low, gray blanket. Overcast/Drizzle.
Nimbus: Dark, heavy. Precipitation is occurring.
Global Patterns
Jet Stream: Fast-moving "river" of air in the atmosphere that moves weather systems West to East.
Gulf Stream: Warm ocean current that keeps the US East Coast and Europe milder.
El Niño: Unusual warming of Pacific waters; causes wetter/cooler weather in the SE US.
Grade 8 Focus: Earth's Systems
Plate Tectonics & Rock Cycle
Plate Boundaries:
- Convergent: Plates collide (Mountains, Trenches).
- Divergent: Plates pull apart (Rift Valleys, Ridges).
- Transform: Plates slide past (Earthquakes).
Rock Types:
- Igneous: Cooling of magma/lava.
- Sedimentary: Compaction of layers (has fossils).
- Metamorphic: Heat and pressure changes.
Earth's History
Law of Superposition: In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest is at the bottom, newest at top.
Index Fossils: Fossils used to define geologic periods (must be widespread and short-lived).
Relative vs Absolute: Relative dating compares ages (older/younger); Absolute dating gives a specific age in years.
The Hydrosphere
Distribution:
97% Saltwater (Oceans)
3% Freshwater (mostly Ice Caps)
< 1% is accessible
liquid freshwater!
Estuary: Where fresh and salt water mix. Nutrient rich.
Upwelling: Cold, nutrient-rich water rises to surface.
Bio-indicator: Organisms used to check water health.
Turbidity: Measure of cloudiness/clarity of water.
The Atmosphere
Composition:
78%
Nitrogen
21%
Oxygen
1%
Other
Layers (Bottom to Top):
- Troposphere: Weather occurs here.
- Stratosphere: Ozone layer (blocks UV).
- Mesosphere: Coldest; burns meteors.
- Thermosphere: Extremely hot; Ionosphere.
- Exosphere: Transitions to space.
* Always check local weather patterns and regional geological maps for specific Earth science applications.