Land levels rise becasue vegetation and animal matter dies, forms soil, and eventually becomes sedimentary rock. The same happens in the sea. Does this mean the Earth is growing and getting bigger?
2007-06-05 08:10:36 · 6 answers · asked by Rowan M 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Portions of the earth are rising due to isostatic 'rebound' after the last ice age. Portions are rising because of plate tectonics collisions. Most sediments are deposited in a water environment, so they are below sea level. This makes the continental shelves expand into the oceans, but not necessarily rise above the ocean. Some sediments are re-deposited by wind, such as in sand dunes.
Land levels are not rising because of vegetation being broken down or animal matter dying. The earth is not getting bigger, its mass is simply undergoing alterations, just as it has from the very beginning.
2007-06-05 10:16:43 · answer #1 · answered by ekil422 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No because living things take matter out of the soil too (plants grow, animals eat plants).
Actually the earth IS slowly getting bigger, but for a completely different reason: meteors and space dust are constantly raining down. The amount is tiny compared to the mass of the earth, however.
2007-06-05 08:14:18 · answer #2 · answered by Nature Boy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The amount added by the decomposition of vegetation is insignificant compared to the amount lost by erosion. Sedimentary (and other) rocks are constantly recycled at the margins of the continental plates, where they are subducted into the mantle.
2007-06-05 08:19:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually haven't felt like that in quite some time, Miss Joanna...well, at least not for a few months anyway. :) I'm sorry that it's exam time for you though, Miss Joanna. I always hated final exams when I was in high school. Then again, I hated ALL exams! And, you know--I'm quite happy to have power back so that I can come answer your questions again. :)
2016-05-17 11:29:50 · answer #4 · answered by margret 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth gets several tons of material in from space and the atmosphere vaporizes it ,so yes the earth is getting bigger.
2007-06-05 09:30:33 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The land might be rising a little, but remember that matter can be neither created nor destroyed!
2007-06-05 08:28:34 · answer #6 · answered by Sakura 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋