ESS 1 - introduction to earth sic

INTRODUCTION TO SCI7B: EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCEFields/Disciplines which deal with Earth and Space Sciences Earth’s Major Spheres

GEOLOGY OCEANOLOGY METEOROLOGY ASTRONOMY

Fields of Science that collectively seek to understand the Earth and its neighbors in space

GEOLOGYEtymology : Geo - Earth logos - study of

GEOLOGY

✓Examines the materials composing the Earth and seeks to understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface !

✓Seeks to understand the history of Earth and the development of the planet through its 4.5 billion-year history

OCEANOLOGYMarine Science - Study of the oceans

OCEANOLOGY

✓Studies the composition and movements of seawater as well as coastal processes, seafloor topography, and marine life

METEOROLOGYScience of the Atmosphere

METEOROLOGY

Studies the processes that produce weather and climate

ASTRONOMYAstronomos - star arranging

ASTRONOMY

!✓Studies the physical laws

governing the universe !

✓Understand the explanations/theories of the Earth’s origin

GEOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE BIOSPHERE

The Major Spheres of the Earth

GEOSPHERE

!✓extends from the surface to

the center (core) of the planet (6,400km)

HYDROSPHERE

✓dynamic mass of liquid blanketing nearly 71% of Earth’s surface to an average depth of about 3,800m.

ATMOSPHERE

✓life-giving gaseous envelope just above the ground which also protects us from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation

BIOSPHERE

✓includes all life on Earth, their interaction and distribution, and their environment