Transcript Earth System Science

Earth System Science
Carolyn Lowe, Mitchell Klett, and Carl Wozniak
Northern Michigan University
School of Education
Earth System Science
The lithosphere, which contains all of the cold,
hard, solid rock of the planet's crust
(surface), the hot semi-solid rock that lies
underneath the crust, the hot liquid rock
near the center of the planet, and the solid
iron core (center) of the planet
The hydrosphere, which contains all of the
planet's solid, liquid, and gaseous water,
The atmosphere, which contains all of the
planet's air , and
The biosphere, which contains all of the
planet's living organisms
These spheres are connected
For example, many birds (biosphere) fly
through the air (atmosphere), while
water (hydrosphere) often flows
through the soil (lithosphere).
In fact, the spheres are so closely
connected that a change in one sphere
often results in a change in one or
more of the other spheres.
Events
An event can cause changes to occur in
one or more of the spheres, and/or an
event can be the effect of changes in
one or more of Earth's four spheres.
Interactions
Interactions also occur among the
spheres; for example, a change in the
atmosphere can cause a change in the
hydrosphere, and vice versa.
A new field of study
Understanding the interactions that occur
in the earth system also helps people
to prepare for the effects of natural
disasters; this understanding allows
people to make predictions.
Interactions
There are ten possible
types of interactions
that could occur within
the earth system. Four
of these interactions are
between the event and
each of the earth's
spheres:
Interactions
In addition to the
above four event
sphere interactions,
there are six
interactions that
occur among the
earth's spheres:
How Is Earth System Science
Conducted?
Earth system science is conducted by
examining each event   sphere
and sphere   sphere interaction;
this approach is referred to as an
"Earth system science analysis" or an
"ESS analysis."
Application
These scenarios contain real-world "situations"
in which your team is asked to make
recommendations or offer solutions.
Using a problem statement as a starting point
may be premature.
Finally, you and your team will present and
support the recommendations or solutions
you make.
Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA Classroom of the Future™.