1. EARTH SCIENCE CH. 1 SEC. 1 - PGS. 5 – 10
Objectives:

2. WHAT IS EARTH SCIENCE? EARTH SCIENCE:
The study of Earth and the processes and forces that change it, the materials from which it is made, its long history, and its place in the universe.

3. 4 MAJOR AREAS OF STUDY IN EARTH SCIENCE
ASTRONOMY
METEOROLOGY
GEOLOGY
OCEANOGRAPHY

4. ASTRONOMY Study of objects beyond Earth’s atmosphere Examples: Planets
Galaxies
Sun
Moon
Stars
Universe

5. METEOROLOGY The study of the air that surrounds our planet. Examples:
Layers of the Atmosphere
Energy Transfer
Wind Systems
Hurricanes
Tornadoes

6. GEOLOGY
Study of materials that make up Earth and the processes that form and change these materials.
Examples:
Rocks and Minerals
Earthquakes
Volcanoes

7. OCEANOGRAPHY
Study of Earth’s oceans including the creatures that inhabit its waters, its physical and chemical properties, and the effects of human activities.
Examples:
Oceans
Tides
Salinity
Currents

8. EARTH’S SYSTEMS 4 MAJOR EARTH SYSTEMS LITHOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE
ATMOSPHERE
BIOSPHERE
All of Earth’s systems are interdependent.
They depend on and interact with one another.

9. EARTH SYSTEMS - LITHOSPHERE
Earth’s rigid outer shell, including the crust and the solid, uppermost part of the mantle.
Two kinds of crust:
oceanic (mainly basalt)
continental (mostly granite)
Earth’s Mantle
composed of peridotite
upper mantle is rigid
other parts are partially molten = asthenosphere – (not part of lithosphere)
Earth’s Core (not part of the lithosphere)
outer core – liquid
inner core – solid

10. EARTH’S SYSTEMS - HYDROSPHERE
All the water in Earth’s oceans, lakes, seas, rivers, and glaciers plus all the water in the atmosphere.
97% = salt water
3% = freshwater – glaciers, lakes, rivers and groundwater.
¾ is tied up in glaciers and icebergs
Rest is mostly groundwater

11. EARTH’S SYSTEMS - ATMOSPHERE
Blanket of gases surrounding Earth that contains about
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
and 1% other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
IMPORTANCE OF THE ATMOSPHERE
respiration by living things
protects Earth’s inhabitants from harmful sun rays
keeps planet’s temperature suitable for life

12. EARTH’S SYSTEMS - BIOSPHERE
All of Earth’s organisms and the environments in which they live.
most organisms live within a few meters of Earth’s surface.
ranges from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountain tops.

13. TECHNOLOGY
The study of Earth Science and Earth’s Systems would not be possible without technology.
TECHNOLOGY:
The use of scientific discoveries.