Earth science

Earth Science

Concerned with the entire Earth—the solid lithosphere, the liquid hydrosphere, and the gaseous atmosphere.

It is the study of the Earth and its neighbors in space. It is an exciting science with many interesting and practical applications.

Some earth scientists use their knowledge of the Earth to locate and develop energy and mineral resources. Others study the impact of human activity on Earth’s environment and design methods to protect the planet.

Life science - The study of living organisms and their life processes

Earth’s subsystem: Subsystems make up the Earth to sustain life.

4 SPHERES OF THE EARTH

Geosphere/Lithosphere: “Rocky Sphere”

A sphere that includes the solid Earth; the core, mantle, crust, and soil layers

Composed of the entire crust plus the outermost part of the mantle. They are both solid and rigid, thus they are cool enough to behave like a brittle solid.

The lithosphere is underlain by the asthenosphere: the weaker, hotter, and deeper part of the upper mantle.)

Crust - thinnest and the least dense layer of the Earth, Outermost layer.

2 TYPES OF CRUST:

Oceanic Crust - about 40-70 km thick, makes up the continent. Made up of less granitic rocks, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

Continental Crust - About 6-7 km average thickness. The crust that makes up the ocean’s floor. Made up of denser basaltic rocks.

Mantle - Thickest layer, consisting of 80% of Earth’s mass which is about 2,900 thick. Semisolid and is made up of heavy rock. The deeper the surface, the higher the temperature of the mantle

Convection current - The name of Asthenosphere’s movements. The action where the magma in the hot mantle rises to the top, cools, then sinks, reheats, and then rises again.

Core - The densest layer of the internal layer of the Earth. It is about 3,500 thick from the center and has a temperature that ranges from 3,700 - 4,300 degrees celsius. Made up of heavy metals like iron, oxygen, and nickel alloy. It is divided into two portions, the inner core, and outer core.

Outer Core - Only layer of the Earth that is liquid. Located below the mantle and is about 1,400 miles thick. The molten liquid metal is about 4,700 degree celsius (8,500 degree fahrenheit). It is composed of the melted metals nickel and iron

Inner core - Solid center of the planet. Composed mostly of iron. It is believed to have the hottest temperature at about 6,650 degree celsius.

FOUR MAIN BRANCHES OF EARTH SCIENCE

Geology

Is the primary Earth science. The word means “study of the Earth”. Geology deals with the composition of Earth materials, Earth structures, and Earth processes.

It is also concerned with the organisms of the planet and how the planet has changed over time.

Meteorology

Is the study of the atmosphere and how processes in the atmosphere determine Earth’s weather and climate. It is a very practical science because everyone is concerned about the weather.

How climate changes over time in response to the actions of people is a topic of urgent worldwide concern.

Oceanography

Is the study of the Earth’s oceans and their boundaries—their composition, movement, organisms, and processes. The oceans cover most of our planet and are important resources for food and other commodities.

Oceanographers work to develop the ocean as a resource and protect it from human impact. The goal is to utilize the oceans while minimizing the effects of our actions.

Astronomy

The study of the universe.

The moon drives the ocean’s tidal system.

Asteroid impacts have repeatedly devastated Earth’s inhabitants.

Energy from the sun drives our weather and climates.

Astronomers can also use a knowledge of Earth’s materials, processes, and history to understand other planets—even those outside of our solar system.

Lithosphere (Solid Earth/Rocky Sphere)

Composed of the entire crust plus the outermost part of the mantle.

They are both solid and rigid, thus they are both cool enough to behave like a brittle solid.

Is underlain by the asthenosphere - the weaker, hotter, and deeper part of the upper mantle.

Hydrosphere (All water)

78% of the Earth’s surface.

The earth’s hydrosphere consists of water in all forms: the ocean (the bulk of the hydrosphere), other surface waters including seas, lakes, and rivers; rain; underground water; ice (as in glaciers and snow); and atmosphere water vapor (clouds).

Atmosphere (Gases/The air)

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gases

A mixture of gases that surrounds the planet.

Consists of five main layers from lowest to highest:

Troposphere

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

Thermosphere

Exosphere

Biosphere (All life/Living Sphere)

The global ecological system integrates all living beings and their relationships including their interaction with the elements of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.