Earth science
Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science The field of Earth Science can be broken into four major areas of specialization: astronomy, meteorology, geology, and oceanography. 1. Astronomy Astronomy is the study of objects beyond Earth s atmosphere. Astronomers study the universe and everything in it, including Earth, its neighbors, and other bodies in the universe.
Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science 2. Meteorology Meteorology is the branch of Earth science that studies the air that surrounds our planet. Meteorologists study the forces and processes that cause the atmosphere to change to produce weather. They also try to predict the weather and how changes in weather might affect Earth s climate.
Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science 3. Geology Geology is the study of the materials that make up Earth and the processes that form and change these materials. Geologists identify rocks, study glacial movements, interpret clues to Earth s 4.6 billion-year history, and determine how forces change our planet, among many other things.
Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science 4. Oceanography Oceanography is the study of Earth s oceans, which cover nearly three-fourths of the planet. Oceanographers study the creatures that inhabit salty water, measure different physical and chemical properties of the oceans, and observe various processes in these bodies of water.
Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science The study of our planet is a broad endeavor, and thus it requires a variety of subspecialties of the four major areas of Earth science.
Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science Table 1-1 Some Subspecialties of Earth Science Subspecialty Climatology Paleontology Hydrology Subjects Studied Patterns of weather over a long period of time; effects of human activities on weather and climate Remains of organisms that once lived on Earth; ancient environments Water flow on and below Earth s surface; sources of and solutions to water pollution
Earth Systems Overview The Earth is a system consisting of four major interacting components: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere Let s examine each of these four spheres in detail
Earth Systems Overview Define and identify the components of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere and the interactions among them (cycles).
The Atmosphere The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the atmosphere. The atmosphere consists of four unique layers (the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere). The atmosphere reaches over 350 miles up from the surface of the Earth. The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%). Other components exist in small quantities.
The Biosphere The biosphere is the life zone of the Earth, and includes all living organisms (including humans), and all organic matter that has not yet decomposed. The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy known as a food chain. Energy and nutrients, like carbon, are transferred from one level of the food chain to the next.
Hydrosphere The hydrosphere contains all the water found on our planet. Surface Water: Includes the ocean as well as water from lakes, rivers and creeks. Ground Water: Includes water trapped in the soil and groundwater. Atmosphere: water vapor. Frozen water: Includes ice caps and glaciers. Specifically called the cryosphere. Only about 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water, and about 70% of the fresh water is frozen in the form of glacial ice. (0.9% in liquid form)
Geosphere The geosphere is the solid part of the earth, from the core to the surface. Includes volcanoes, rocks, minerals, coal, oil etc. Mineral resources are mined from the geosphere.
Earth System Science Earth System Science is the study of how the four spheres of the Earth system interact continually, each affecting the others. Example: A scientist that studies global warming is an Earth System Scientist.
System Interactions Volcanoes (geosphere) erupt, sending ash and gases into the air (atmosphere) and sending lava and ash down onto surrounding forests (biosphere) and human habitations (biosphere). Geosphere Atmosphere Biosphere
System Interactions Hurricanes (atmosphere) sweep across the ocean (hydrosphere) and onto the land (geosphere), damaging the dwellings of people (biosphere) who live along the coast. Hydrosphere Atmosphere Geosphere Biosphere
System Interactions Earthquakes (geosphere) can damage buildings which may kill people (biosphere), as well as cause fires which release gases into the air (atmosphere). Earthquakes in the ocean may cause a tsunami (hydrosphere) which can eventually hit land and kill both animals and people (biosphere). Biosphere Geosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere
Learning Check 1. Name the four main earth systems. Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere and Geosphere 2. A forest fire would effect which earth systems? All four: Fires (Biosphere) will destroy plant and animal life while releasing smoke and other contaminants into the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere.