The Three Properties of matter

         There are many substances in the world, they all consist of solids, liquids, and gases.

         To begin, I’m going to talk about the most common of the three properties of matter, liquids.  Scientists have found out that the earth is more than 71% of water and we’ve only explored 5% of that! Explorers and marine biologists hope to explore 30% by the year 2030 but for now most are focused on the Mariana trench. Another cool thing is that this is the only one of the three that can be a solid, liquid, and gas.

         The second most common is gas. Most gasses are often invisible like gas like oxygen for example. The air we breathe is made up of different gasses but mostly nitrogen and oxygen. Gases can assume the volume and shape of their container as well. Another cool fact is that fire is a mixture of gases.

        Last but certainly not least, is solids. 29% of the earth is solids. Another thing is there are only few solid substances that we can see through like glass. Solids are practically everywhere so unless you’re in the middle of the ocean, you see solids everywhere.

       There are three properties of matter that the earth is made of, these are really interesting.

Types of Faults

            Have you ever wandered what those odd shaped structures on the side of mountains are? What you are seeing are probably faults. Faults have been forming for millions of years. There are three different kinds of faults, and they all do something different. They are called normal faults, reverse faults, and strike-slip faults.

            The first odd shaped fault is the normal fault. Normal faults usually occur in places with a lot of extension. Normal faults are formed when tensional forces cause the rocks to be pulled apart. When this happens rocks move downward in relation to the rocks above. Some places where normal faults are commonly found are the Basin and Range Province.

            The next odd shaped fault is the reverse fault. Reverse faults occur in places undergoing compression. Reverse faults are formed when compressional forces squeeze rock together. When this happens rock is forced up and over rock below the fault unlike a normal fault. Reverse faults are commonly found in collision zones. Such as the Himalayas and the Rocky Mountains.

            Last, but surely not least is the strike-slip fault. Strike-Slip faults form when shear forces push rocks in horizontal opposite way. When this happens force spilt rocks and create strike-  slip faults. A well-known strike-slip fault is the San Andreas Fault.

            Now when you see a fault you will know what they are and how they were formed. There are normal faults, reverse faults, and strike-slip faults.