SOL Prep

Hydrosphere

Virginia SOL ESII.6

Investigate and understand that the hydrosphere plays a crucial role in shaping Earth's environment and in supporting life.

Study ESII.6 with SOL PrepBack to Earth Science II Advanced Survey

What students need to be able to do

  • Develop and use a model to explain the processes of the hydrologic cycle and predict the effect of the processes on landscape and life.
  • Explain how the availability and quality of water affect ecosystem dynamics.
  • Explain how salinity and temperature affect oceanic ecosystems (coastal, deep water, estuarine, equatorial, and polar).
  • Develop and use a model to explain major surface oceanic currents and their characteristics (temperature, origin, and direction of motion).
  • Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how major surface currents affect local climates.
  • Develop and use a model to predict the results of interactions among geomorphic characteristics, geological characteristics, and the water budget of the region.
  • Research organizations that are working to solve problems related to freshwater availability and quality.
  • Propose a solution or design a device that addresses a problem of freshwater availability and quality.
  • Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how climate change and human activities affect the hydrosphere.