Photograph of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Earth Science

Find quick answers here to frequently asked Earth science questions. More answers will be added regularly.

Last updated September 28, 2022.

Image above: The Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photograph by Jonathan R. Hendricks.

Topics

Climate and Energy
Geology
Fossils and Ancient Life

Climate and Energy

What causes climate change?

Answer
Illustration that shows connections between all of Earth's spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

Why is carbon dioxide called a greenhouse gas?

Answer
Illustration that shows Earth inside of a greenhouse.

How do we know that humans are the major cause of global warming?

Answer
Photograph of a person holding a chunk of coal in front of a power plant.

Does the ozone hole cause global warming?

Answer
Image

How can we predict future climate reliably when we can’t even predict next week’s weather very accurately? 

Answer
Image

Is climate change too big or too far along to be stopped?

Answer
Image

What is the IPCC?

Answer
Image

Is the Sun causing global warming?

Answer
Image

Are volcanoes causing global warming?

Answer
Image

Are orbital changes causing global warming?

Answer
Image

Why is sea level rising?

Answer
Image

Scientists say that the Earth's climate is changing much faster now than in the past. How do scientists know about past climates on Earth?

Answer
Collage of images of different climate proxies: sediment cores, ice cores, clam shells, tree rings, fossil midges, and fossil leaves.

    How does climate change affect hurricanes?

    Answer
    Satellite image of Hurricane Ian on September 26, 2022

    Geology

    How did the Grand Canyon form?

    Learn More
    Photograph of a crinoid fossil.

    How do scientists date rocks and fossils?

    Learn More
    Photograph of a crinoid fossil.

    Where do volcanoes form?

    Answer
    Up-close photograph of gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock.

    How do metamorphic rocks form?

    Answer
    Up-close photograph of gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock.

    What is karst topography?

    Answer
    Up-close photograph of gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock.

    Fossils and Ancient Life

    Mammoth vs. Mastodon: What is the Difference?

    Answer
    Photograph of models of a mammoth and mastodon.

    Paleontology vs. Archaeology: What is the Difference?

    Answer
    Photograph of models of a mammoth and mastodon.