WTBW What University did Mr. Willis attend? What is our goal as the class of 2010? What are the four components of the Earth System? Why is it important that we look at the Earth System? Is the Earth system “just” Science?

Earth System Science Unit I Mr. Willis Earth and Space Science

Standards Academic Standards for Science and Technology (22 PA Code, Ch. 4, App. B) 3.1 Unifying Themes –Systems, feedback, and control –Models: prediction and understanding –Patterns: recognize, assess, apply –Scale and measures –Change: recognize, describe, evaluate 3.2 Inquiry and Design –Scientific and technological knowledge: understanding and application –Observation and experimentation –Apply scientific inquiry to solve problems 3.5 Earth Sciences –Earth features and processes –Earth processes and materials –Weather and climate –Water systems and resources

B.W. Pipkin & D.D. Trent, Geology and the Environment, 3 rd ed., Brooks/Cole, 2001.

Earth System Science In the phrase "Earth system science (ESS)," the key term is "system." A system-is a collection of interdependent parts enclosed within a defined boundary. –Within the boundary of the earth is a collection of four interdependent parts called –"spheres."spheres

Four Components –Earth's spheres include: the geosphere, 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 biosphere, which contains all of the planet's living organisms. – the atmosphere, which contains all of the planet's air.

WTBW What is a system and how does this relate to the Earth? Which part of the Earth system accounts for Humans? What is an interaction as it relates to the Earth System? OK…so the weather!!!!!!! New 

Objectives Knowledge of the connections and interactions that take place in the Earth System Application of the components of the Earth System

Connections These spheres are closely connected. –Examples: 1) many birds (biosphere) fly through the air (atmosphere).2) 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. Such changes that take place within an ecosystem are referred to as events.

Types of Events Events can occur naturally: – Earthquake –Hurricane –Events can be caused by humans: – an oil spill – air pollution –Geological Footprint –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. –This two-way cause and effect relationship between an event and a sphere is called an interaction..

WTBW Give two examples of natural events and two examples of human driven events? What is a Geological Footprint? Why is it important that we look at the footprint being left and have an understanding of the Earth System?

Types of Interactions Interactions that occur as the result of events such as floods and forest fires impact only a local region. Meaning the flood waters can only travel so many miles from the original stream, and only the trees that lie within the area on fire will be burned. The effects of events such as El Nino or ozone depletion may cause interactions that can be observed worldwide.

Why is this Important? Understanding the interactions that occur in the earth system also helps people to prepare for the effects of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and floods This understanding allows people to predict things; like how far and in what direction the lava/water will flow. Being able to predict outcomes is useful when, for example, developers wish to know the environmental effects of a project such as building an airport before they begin construction.

Humans need to understand Earth systems concepts because Earth is our only significant source of resources (earth materials, fuels, soils, water) is our only significant sink for wastes (air, water, and soil pollutants) provides invaluable ecosystem services (water and air purification) confronts us with natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods)

Our Changing Planet, F.T. Mackenzie, 1998.

Sun Energy H&C, Figure 2.4 A schematic model of circulation in the hydrosphere, driven by heat energy from the sun, which causes evaporation and heats the atmosphere. This model is over general: it doesn’t help us understand the hydrologic cycle any place in particular.

Types of Connections The four types of connectinos are between the event and each of the earth's spheres: Event  lithosphere Event  hydrosphere Event  biosphere Event  atmosphere

Other types of Interactions In addition to the above four event sphere interactions, Here are six other interactions that occur among the earth's spheres: lithosphere  hydrosphere lithosphere  biosphere lithosphere  atmosphere hydrosphere  biosphere hydrosphere  atmosphere biosphere  atmosphere