Introduction to Earth Science

Chapter 1

What is Earth Science ? 4 Branches

• Geology The study of the Earth – Physical – materials & processes

– Historical – timeline of changes

• Oceanography – The study of oceans

• Meteorology – The study of the atmosphere, weather, & climate

• Astronomy – The study of the universe

A View of Earth

Earth’s Major Spheres

Hydrosphere • All of the Water on the Earth

• Continuously cycling

• 97% Salt, 3% Fresh

Atmosphere • Thin, gaseous envelope surrounding Earth

• Sustains life on Earth

• 100 km thick, but 90% is condensed in the 1st 16 km.

Geosphere • “Round Stone” – Core, Mantle, & Crust

• Lithosphere – the crust & upper mantle

• Asthenosphere – the molten upper mantle

Biosphere • Includes all life on Earth

• Extends from the seafloor up to the atmosphere

Representing Earth’s Surface

Reading Maps

Determining Location

• Latitude – measures distance NORTH or SOUTH of the Equator

•Lines run east to west • Marked every 15o

• 0o to 90o

Global Grid – divides the Earth into hemispheres.

- Measured in Degrees

• Longitude – measures distance EAST or WEST of the Prime Meridian

• Lines run north to south • Marked every 15o

• 0o to 180o

Globes – shows accurate shape and size of Earth’s features, but does not show

accurate detail

Earth System Science

The Effects of Humans on our Planet

The Earth is a System • System – any size group of interacting

parts that form a complex whole.

• Must have an energy source

• Two types of systems:

1.Closed (car’s cooling system)

2. Open (most natural systems)

Earth’s Energy Sources

1. The Sun 2. Earth’s Core

People & the Environment

Nonrenewable Resource

May take millions of years to replenish

Our actions produce changes in all of the other parts of the Earth System.

Renewable Resource Can be replenished

over short time

World Population

Environmental Problems

Air Pollution Acid Rain

Ozone Depletion Global Warming