Global ScienceGlobal ScienceEarth Science Earth Science

&&EcologyEcology

What is Earth Science?What is Earth Science?

Earth Science is the study of the Earth and its Earth Science is the study of the Earth and its neighbors in space. neighbors in space.

Some Earth scientists develop energy and mineral Some Earth scientists develop energy and mineral resources. resources.

Others study the impact of human activity on Earth's Others study the impact of human activity on Earth's environment and design methods to protect the planet.environment and design methods to protect the planet.

Still others use their knowledge about Earth processes such Still others use their knowledge about Earth processes such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes to plan as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes to plan communities that will not expose people to these dangerous communities that will not expose people to these dangerous events. events.

The Four Earth The Four Earth SciencesSciences

Do you think you know any of the Do you think you know any of the four?four?

Geology: Science of the EarthGeology: Science of the Earth Geology is the primary Earth science. Geology is the primary Earth science. The word means "study of the Earth". The word means "study of the Earth".

Geology deals with:Geology deals with: The composition of Earth materialsThe composition of Earth materials Earth structuresEarth structures Earth processesEarth processes

The organisms of the planetThe organisms of the planet How the planet has changed over time. How the planet has changed over time.

Geologists search for fuels and minerals, study Geologists search for fuels and minerals, study natural hazards, and work to protect Earth's natural hazards, and work to protect Earth's environment. environment.

Geologic Map of PAGeologic Map of PA

Meteorology: Science of the AtmosphereMeteorology: Science of the Atmosphere

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and how processes in the atmosphere determine how processes in the atmosphere determine Earth's weather and climate. Earth's weather and climate.

Meteorology deals with:Meteorology deals with: The weatherThe weather How climate changes over time in response to the How climate changes over time in response to the

actions of peopleactions of people

The study of meteorology is of critical concern The study of meteorology is of critical concern for protecting Earth's environment. for protecting Earth's environment.

Oceanography: Science of the Oceanography: Science of the OceansOceans

Oceanography is the study of Earth's oceans - their Oceanography is the study of Earth's oceans - their composition, movement, organisms and processes. composition, movement, organisms and processes.

Oceanography deals with: Oceanography deals with: How the ocean can be used as an energy source. How the ocean can be used as an energy source. The oceans have a major influence on the weather and changes The oceans have a major influence on the weather and changes

in the oceans can drive or moderate climate change. in the oceans can drive or moderate climate change.

The oceans cover most of our planet and are important The oceans cover most of our planet and are important resources for food and other commodities. resources for food and other commodities. Oceanographers work to develop the ocean as a Oceanographers work to develop the ocean as a resource and protect it from human impact. The goal is resource and protect it from human impact. The goal is to utilize the oceans while minimizing the effects of our to utilize the oceans while minimizing the effects of our actions.actions.

Astronomy: Science of the Astronomy: Science of the UniverseUniverse

Astronomy is the study of the universe. Astronomy is the study of the universe.

Astronomy deals with:Astronomy deals with: The moon which drives the ocean's tidal systemThe moon which drives the ocean's tidal system Asteroid impacts and how they affect Earth's Asteroid impacts and how they affect Earth's

inhabitants inhabitants Energy from the sun and how it drives our weather Energy from the sun and how it drives our weather

and climatesand climates

A knowledge of astronomy is essential to A knowledge of astronomy is essential to understanding the Earth. Astronomers can also understanding the Earth. Astronomers can also use a knowledge of Earth materials, processes use a knowledge of Earth materials, processes and history to understand other planets - even and history to understand other planets - even those outside of our own solar system. those outside of our own solar system.

The four spheres The four spheres on earthon earth

Earth is essentially a closed system.

Can you think of an exception to this?

The earth itself includes four spheres which interact and change constantly.

The hydrosphere

The atmosphere

The geosphere or lithosphere.

The biosphere.

All the earth’s water.

The earth’s gaseous envelope

All the physical features on Earth except water.

Living things, including plants, animals and humans

Cycles on EarthCycles on Earth All water on Earth is continually moving All water on Earth is continually moving

through the water cycle. through the water cycle.

A biogeochemical cycle involves the A biogeochemical cycle involves the movement of an element, such as carbon, movement of an element, such as carbon, through the four spheres of the Earth system. through the four spheres of the Earth system.

The Earth system has three energy sources:The Earth system has three energy sources: solar energysolar energy geothermal energygeothermal energy tidal energy.tidal energy.

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