11–12Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Recognise Aboriginal Dreaming Stories and Torres Strait Islander Legends that feature the formation of the Earth

Use accretion theory and the concept of the ‘potato radius’ to account for the formation and shape of the Earth and smaller celestial bodies

Conduct a laboratory experiment to model the hypothesised role of density separation in planetary differentiation

Outline the processes that initially formed the geosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere

Use Lehmann’s seismic wave methodology to provide evidence for the internal structure of the Earth

Conduct a practical investigation to model the processes of seismic wave reflection and refraction inside the Earth

Describe the relative thickness, temperature and physical properties of the asthenosphere, crust, lithosphere, outer core and inner core

Conduct a laboratory experiment to compare the density of samples representing oceanic crust, continental crust, mantle and core, using quantitative data

Explain how the composition and density of meteorites provides evidence for the Earth’s composition

Analyse how Wegener and Tharps’ research provides evidence for the theory of plate tectonics

Explain the roles of gravity and heat in maintaining convection in the mantle

Conduct a laboratory experiment to examine convection currents in a fluid

Explain how the age of the sea floor and magnetic reversals support the theory of plate tectonics

Explain how the theory of seafloor spreading relates to the movement of tectonic plates

Explain the role of hotspot volcanoes in determining plate velocity

Account for the relative contributions of slab pull, ridge push and basal drag to plate velocity

Evaluate the geological evidence, models and theories contributing to the theory of plate tectonics

Use earthquake and volcano distribution data and maps to deduce the locations of active plate boundaries

Use geological data and maps to deduce the locations of oceanic and continental transform boundaries

Interpret geological data and maps to deduce the location of oceanic and continental divergent boundaries, based on the presence of mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys

Interpret geological data and maps to deduce the location of ocean–continental and ocean–ocean subduction zones at convergent boundaries, based on the presence of trenches, volcanic arcs and volcanic island arcs

Interpret geological data and maps to deduce the location of continental–continental convergent boundaries, based on the presence of fold and thrust belts forming mountain ranges

Explain the processes that have contributed to the formation of divergent, convergent and transform boundaries and the associated geological features

Conduct a practical investigation to model normal faults, reverse faults and strike-slip faults

Use force diagrams to account for the presence of normal faults at divergent boundaries, reverse thrust faults at convergent boundaries, and strike-slip faults at transform boundaries

Construct annotated cross-section diagrams to account for the presence of mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys and the nature of volcanic and earthquake activity at ocean–ocean and continental–continental divergent boundaries

Construct annotated cross-section diagrams to represent the formation of ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, volcanic island arcs and mountain ranges in ocean–continental, ocean–ocean and continental–continental convergent plate boundary settings

Analyse the scientific evidence, models and theories contributing to the formation of the Earth’s geological features