Our Questions for the Earth Systems and Resources Unit

Earth's Atmosphere

• What is the composition of Earth's atmosphere?
• How was the atmosphere created?
• What are the different layers of the atmosphere and what do they do? 
• What mechanisms are in place to keep the Earth's climates relatively stable?
• How do humans affect the atmosphere?
• How can we combat the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
• How has the Earth's atmosphere changed over the course of Earth's history?
• How does UV penetrate cells and alter DNA?
• Can the hole in the ozone layer be repaired or restored?

The Earth Itself

• Is it possible to build a planet that can house more people?
• What happens when the Earth's magnetic field reverses itself?
• Why is the Earth's core still hot?
• How does the tilt of the Earth determine the weather?

Earth's Oceans

• How do ocean currents control air temperatures?
• How did water arrive or begin on Earth?
• Can the Earth run out of water?

Other

• What happened to Mars to make currently inhospitable to life?
• How do we think that life originated?
• How rare are Earth-like planets?
• What are the chances of another extinction event on Earth?