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 August 11, 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
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How can we predict future climate reliably when we can’t even predict next week’s weather very accurately? 

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

Answer
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What is the IPCC?

Answer
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Is the Sun causing global warming?

Answer
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Are volcanoes causing global warming?

Answer
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Are orbital changes causing global warming?

Answer
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Why is sea level rising?

Answer
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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.

    Geology

    How did the Grand Canyon form?

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    Photograph of a crinoid fossil.

    How do scientists date rocks and fossils?

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    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.