Transcript Earth Science Introduction

Introduction to Earth Science
Or, How The Earth Works
Branches of Earth Science
• Geology
– The study of the materials that make up
the Earth
– The processes that form and change these
materials
– The history of the planet and it’s life forms
– Solid Earth Much Larger than Other Parts
• Meteorology – Climatology
– The study of the forces and processes that
cause the atmosphere to change and
produce weather
Branches of Earth Science
• Oceanography
– The study of the Earth’s oceans
– Oceans cover nearly 75% of the planet
• Astronomy
– The study of objects beyond Earth’s
atmosphere
– Planetary Geology
• Environmental Science
– The study of the interactions of organisms
and their surroundings
The Earth Systems
• Geosphere
– Area from surface down to center of planet
• Three parts: crust, mantle, and core
• Two kinds of crust: continental and oceanic
• Mantle is liquid and ranges from 100oC to
4000oC
• Atmosphere
– Blanket of gases that surrounds planet
• 78% Nitrogen (N); 21% Oxygen (O); 1% (water
vapor, carbon dioxide, argon and other gases)
The Solid Earth
The Earth Systems
• Hydrosphere
– All water on Earth
• 97% is salt water
• 3% is freshwater
• Biosphere
– All organisms on Earth and the places they
live
– All of Earth’s life forms require interaction with
at least one of the other systems to survive
Learning Targets
• Compare the areas of study within Earth
Science
• Identify and define Earth’s systems.