Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

•  Describetwoculturesthatcontributedtomodernscientificstudy.

•  NamethefourmainbranchesofEarthscience.

•  DiscusshowEarthscientistshelpusunderstandtheworldaroundus.

Key Ideas

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

  EarthsciencethescientificstudyofEarthandtheuniversearoundit

The Scientific Study of Earth

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

  ScientistshaveusedtechnologyandhardworktobuildanimmensebodyofknowledgeaboutEarth.

 MostEarthscientistsspecializeinoneoffourmajorareasofstudy:  thesolidEarth(geology),  theoceans(oceanography),  theatmosphere(meteorology),and  theuniversebeyondEarth(astronomy).

Branches of Earth Science

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

Geology  geologythescientificstudyoftheorigin,history,andstructureofEarthandtheprocessesthatshapeEarth.

Branches of Earth Science, continued

Volcanologist

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

Oceanography  oceanographythescientificstudyoftheocean,includingthepropertiesandmovementofoceanwater,thecharacteristicsoftheoceanfloor,andtheorganismsthatliveintheocean

Branches of Earth Science, continued

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

Meteorology meteorologythescientificstudyofEarth’satmosphere,especiallyinrelationtoweatherandclimate

Branches of Earth Science, continued

meteorologist

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

Astronomy

  astronomythescientificstudyoftheuniverse

  AstronomyisoneoftheoldestbranchesofEarthscience.

Branches of Earth Science, continued

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

EnvironmentalScienceandEarthScience  EnvironmentalscienceisarelativelynewfieldofEarthsciencethatinvolvesthestudyofthewaysinwhichhumansinteractwiththeirenvironment.

Branches of Earth Science, continued

Introduction to Earth Science Section 1

  NaturalforcesnotonlyshapeEarthbutalsoaffectlifeonEarth.

  TheworkofEarthscientistshelpsusunderstandourplaceintheuniverse.

  ThestudyofEarthsciencecanhelppeoplegainaccesstoEarth’sresources,andEarthscientistsalsostrivetohelppeopleusethoseresourceswisely.

The Importance of Earth Science