Transcript Introduction to Earth Science

Introduction to Earth Science
Dr. R. B. Schultz
Introduction to Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences and the physical environment of the
Earth contains four (4) components:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Geology
Oceanography
Meteorology
Astronomy
*Note how the focus of the course is from:
The most basic ingredients of the earth (geology)
To the most basic component of life (water and oceanography)
To our atmosphere and weather (meteorology)
And then finally to our solar system and planets (astronomy).
*It is also important that there is a distinct
interplay between the four (4) sciences.
Your Textbook, Earth Science, 10th edition, by
Tarbuck and Lutgens, includes a CD-ROM, which is
highly recommended for use. Chapters in the text
refer to visual models and videos, which explain in
the detail the scientific concepts.
Plan on using the CD-ROM as you read through the
chapters.
The "Spheres" of the Earth
Hydrosphere: dynamic mass of liquid water which
encircles the earth.
71% of the earth's surface is covered by seawater
(oceans), which accounts for 97% of the earth's total
water volume.
The hydrosphere also includes:
streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, glaciers, and groundwater,
which compose the freshwater portion of the hydrosphere.
Processes, which are important on earth and directly
related to water, include:
a. Erosion
b. Transportation
c. Weathering
Atmosphere: gaseous blanket of air encompassing
the earth from above.
Air and the protective ozone (O3) layer (in the
stratosphere) are contained in the atmosphere.
Dynamic changes occurring between the earth's solid
surface and the atmosphere as well as the earth's solid
surface and outer space make up our weather changes.
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% other gases.
Other gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
methane, ammonia, argon, and neon.
*Our earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun. It
is tilted on a 23.5-degree axis - one reason why we have
seasons.
Lithosphere and the solid earth: the solid earth lies beneath the
atmosphere and the oceans and composes 29% of the earth's
surface. It is divided into several distinct units or layers:

lithosphere or crust: two (2) types of crust: oceanic and continental
with basic differences
Oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and usually darker in color
Continental crust is lighter in weight, less dense, light in color, and tends to
float over oceanic crust



mantle: beneath the crust; houses molten rock material called magma
outer core: composed of liquid iron and nickel; very dense material
inner core: composed of solid iron and nickel; extremely dense
material
*Generally, continental crust averages approximately 2750 feet above
sealevel while our oceans average approximately 12,500 feet in
depth. Thus, there is quite a disparity in ocean basins and
mountainous regions on earth.
We will study the three (3) rock types composing the earth:
1. Igneous - related to molten rock
2. Sedimentary - layers of eroded particles and sediments
3. Metamorphic - rock resulting from pre-existing igneous or
sedimentary rock that has undergone a change by pressure and/or
temperature changes.
The interaction between the three (3) rock types is
referred to as the Rock Cycle.
Biosphere: includes all living entities of the solid earth. This
includes plants, animals, humans, and any other living
organisms.
The earth tends to act as a system. That is, all of the
"spheres" interact and work in concert to make our planet
livable and able to sustain life forms. Example: hydrologic
system or cycle creating our changing weather patterns.
The Scientific Method
As scientists, the nature of studying our earth must be accomplished in an
organized and logical fashion. A haphazard, "estimated guess" method will
not suffice in the scientific community.
Thus, all scientists utilize the Scientific Method, which is summarized in six (6)
very general steps, specific to the Earth Sciences:
1.
Observation.
2.
Formulation of a question.
3.
Collection of pertinent data and performing experiments.
4.
Development of a hypothesis (preliminary untested observation - NOT an
educated guess)
5.
Testing of the hypothesis
6.
Proving the hypothesis (numerically if possible)
Geology is the first section of Earth Science that will be
presented.
Geology literally means study of the earth and forms the basic
framework for this course.
*Traditionally, geology is divided into two (2) areas of study:
1. Physical geology - the study of the concrete aspects of the
earth's solid surface
2. Historical geology - study of earth events and occurrences
shaping our earth
*This course will deal almost entirely with Physical Geology,
although certain aspects of historical geology will be presented
during the section on geologic time.
Key Terminology
Geology
Meteorology
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Ozone
Oceanic crust
Magma
Outer core
Igneous rocks
Metamorphic rocks
Rock cycle
Environment
Hypothesis
Oceanography
Astronomy
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Continental crust
Mantle
Lava
Inner core
Sedimentary rocks
Scientific Method
System
Resources
Physical/Historical geology
Pertinent Web Sites
Earth and Environmental Science Resources
The U.S. Geological Survey registry of Earth and environmental science Internet resources.
EarthComm
EarthComm is an Earth Science curriculum developed by the American Geological Institute (AGI) and supported by the
National Science Foundation and donors of the American Geological Institute Foundation. Through EarthComm, AGI
focuses attention on the national deficiency in high school Earth Science education (grades 9-12) and on development of a
complete high-school Earth science curriculum.
Earth Online (Wadsworth Publishing)
A comprehensive listing of Internet resources for Earth science from Wadsworth Publishing.
Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)
The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP Federation) brings together data and information providers from
government agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, and businesses in an effort to make Earth science information
available to a broader community. The objective of the Federation is to develop methods that make space-based imagery
and related Earth science data easy to preserve, locate, access and use for all beneficial applications.
Earth Science Resources
The Resources for Earth science and geography instruction Web site contains googles of up-to-date links to credible Earth
science sites in many disciplines. A must site to bookmark.
Earth Science Resources on the Internet
An excellent reference listing numerous links and an explanation on how to use the Internet from the University of North
Carolina.
Earth Science Week: Home Page
Information about a variety of ways to become actively involved in promoting the geosciences in public settings.
Earth Science World
Earth Science World is the place to explore your interests in the Earth and in science. You can monitor current events, make
maps, do activities and puzzles, compile data, collect ideas for Earth Science Week, gather career information, and
browse the Book Center. The American Geological Institute is developing this site in cooperation with content partners.
Earth System Science
The goal of this site is to serve as a repository for Earth system science education and research resources—a starting point for
your reference as you explore this expanding interdisciplinary field, or a place to look for the latest ESS developments.
Earth System Science Center (Penn State University)
Penn State's Earth System Science Center (ESSC) brings together the Departments of Geosciences, Meteorology, Geography,
and Energy, Environmental, and Mineral Economics to search for links between the Earth's physical processes and past
and future global change. The center coordinates and conducts extensive research related to the global water cycle, the
biogeochemical cycles, Earth system history, and human impacts on the Earth system.
Earth System Science Links (NASA)
This is the online version of a 40+ page document for K-12 and college educators containing links to resources in
oceanography and Earth system science. The list was produced by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Physical
Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center.
EarthTrends (World Resources Institute)
EarthTrends environmental information portal offers timely and accurate global environmental and sustainable development
information.
Exploring the Environment
Emphasizing an integrated approach to environmental Earth science through problem-based learning, the Exploring the
Environment modules use Earth system science to examine a variety of current topics.
Institute for Computational Earth System Science (ICESS)
The Institute for Computational Earth System Science (ICESS) works to address issues regarding global and regional climate
changes by providing data and scientific interpretation through computer science. ICESS hopes to help governmental
decision makers use observation and modeling information provided by long-term environmental research.
Teachearth.com
Teachearth.com provides access to a vast amount of resources for teaching and learning about Earth system science. K-12
teachers can quickly locate classroom activities through the Teachers' Web Express.