1. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE Earth Science is the study of the Earth Processes and Forces that change it The materials from which it is made Its long history and place in the universe Earth Science is the study of the Earth Processes and Forces that change it The materials from which it is made Its long history and place in the universe There are 4 major areas of Earth Science Astronomy - The study of objects beyond Earth's atmosphere  Stars  Planets  Celestial Bodies Meteorology- The study of forces and processes that cause the atmosphere to change and produce weather  Pressure systems  Precipitation  Temperatures  Statistics Geology- The study of the materials that make up the Earth and its processes that form and change these materials  Geologists identify rocks and study glacier movements  Predictions associated with tectonic activity Oceanography- The study of the Earth's oceans (tides, waves, currents)  Reefs  Fish migrations  How healthy is our ocean There are 4 major areas of Earth Science Astronomy - The study of objects beyond Earth's atmosphere  Stars  Planets  Celestial Bodies Meteorology- The study of forces and processes that cause the atmosphere to change and produce weather  Pressure systems  Precipitation  Temperatures  Statistics Geology- The study of the materials that make up the Earth and its processes that form and change these materials  Geologists identify rocks and study glacier movements  Predictions associated with tectonic activity Oceanography- The study of the Earth's oceans (tides, waves, currents)  Reefs  Fish migrations  How healthy is our ocean

2. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE The 4 main systems of Earth Lithosphere (land) Hydrosphere (water Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (life) Each system interacts and is interdependent with the others The 4 main systems of Earth Lithosphere (land) Hydrosphere (water Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (life) Each system interacts and is interdependent with the others Lithosphere Rigid outer shell of Earth Includes the crust and the solid, uppermost part of the mantle There are 2 kinds of crust 1.Continental crust which is composed of granite 2.Oceanic crust which is composed of basalt (this is denser than granite) Earth's mantle is composed mainly of the rock peridotite Below the rigid portion of the mantle is the Asthenosphere Partially molten Flows like a soft plastic Beneath the mantle is the core which is divided into 2 parts, both composed of Fe and Ni 1.The outer liquid part 2.The inner solid Lithosphere Rigid outer shell of Earth Includes the crust and the solid, uppermost part of the mantle There are 2 kinds of crust 1.Continental crust which is composed of granite 2.Oceanic crust which is composed of basalt (this is denser than granite) Earth's mantle is composed mainly of the rock peridotite Below the rigid portion of the mantle is the Asthenosphere Partially molten Flows like a soft plastic Beneath the mantle is the core which is divided into 2 parts, both composed of Fe and Ni 1.The outer liquid part 2.The inner solid Page 3

3. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE The 4 main systems of Earth Lithosphere (land) Hydrosphere (water) Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (life) Each system interacts and is interdependent with the others The 4 main systems of Earth Lithosphere (land) Hydrosphere (water) Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (life) Each system interacts and is interdependent with the others Hydrosphere Water on Earth comes from the following Oceans Seas Lakes Ponds Rivers Glaciers Water in the atmosphere 97% of the water is salt water 3% is fresh water Glaciers Lakes Rivers Groundwater. Hydrosphere Water on Earth comes from the following Oceans Seas Lakes Ponds Rivers Glaciers Water in the atmosphere 97% of the water is salt water 3% is fresh water Glaciers Lakes Rivers Groundwater.

4. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE The 4 main systems of Earth Lithosphere (land) Hydrosphere (water) Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (life) Each system interacts and is interdependent with the others The 4 main systems of Earth Lithosphere (land) Hydrosphere (water) Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (life) Each system interacts and is interdependent with the others Atmosphere A blanket of gases that surround the Earth Necessary for respiration by most living things Protects Earth's inhabitants from harmful radiation from the sun Helps keep our planet at a temperature suitable for life Contains 78% nitrogen (N 2 ) 21% oxygen (O 2 ) 1% other gases (water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide, etc.) Biosphere Includes all organisms on Earth as well as the environments in which they live Extends from the depths of the oceans to the atmosphere--a few km. above the surface Atmosphere A blanket of gases that surround the Earth Necessary for respiration by most living things Protects Earth's inhabitants from harmful radiation from the sun Helps keep our planet at a temperature suitable for life Contains 78% nitrogen (N 2 ) 21% oxygen (O 2 ) 1% other gases (water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide, etc.) Biosphere Includes all organisms on Earth as well as the environments in which they live Extends from the depths of the oceans to the atmosphere--a few km. above the surface Earth is unique--life has not been found on any other planets in our solar system or elsewhere in the galaxy!