Earth ScienceChapter 1: Earth as a System

Science is:

Any system of knowledge which tries to observe, identify, understand and describe the nature of the Universe, in whole or part. Science involves unbiased observations and study, and systematic experimentation (Scientific Method) carried on in order to understand what is being studied. 

What is Science?

Science enables you to understand your world.

Every time you try to find out how and why things look and act the way they do, YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A SCIENTIST!

So Never Say, “I don’t understand Science!!”

Everyone, whether you like Science, or not, has wondered why something is the way it is!

Earth Science is the study of our entire planet, its past history and change, its present activity, and the way that it will change in the future.

What is Earth Science??

Earth Science is the study of our planet’s interacting systems (the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere) , its place within the solar system, and the universe beyond the earth.

What is Earth Science?

Why Study Earth Science??(view ESCI Intro. PPT)

The objective of Earth Science is to understand the history of the Earth and

how it will behave in the future, to find and manage the Earth’s natural resources on

which our civilization depends…

And, finally, simply to understand the nature of our own

back yard.

Earth Science Disciplines

GeologyOceanograpgyHydrologyAstronomyMeteorology

Geology is the study of Earth, its matter, and the processes that form and change Earth. Some of

the things Geologists look at are volcanoes, earthquakes, maps, fossils, mountains, and land

uses.

Meteorology is the study of weather and the forces and processes that cause it. Meteorologists study storm patterns,

climates, and what factors causes our daily weather.

Astronomy is the study of objects in space, including stars, planets, and comets. Astronomers study space objects and seek evidence about the beginning and

future of the universe.

Oceanography is the study of Earth’s oceans. Oceanographers study the processes

that occur within oceans and the effects humans have on these processes.

Hydrology is the study of the Earth’s fresh waters. Hydrologists help provide

information needed to find adequate supplies of fresh water. They also study

floods and water pollution.

Chapter 1.1Earth Systems Science

Advances in technology have allowed scientists to study the Earth in a

variety of different ways.

Submersible

Seismometer

Satellite

Satellites and space craft allow us to view, photograph and map

Earth from Space.

Submersibles and ships allow us to view, photograph and map the

ocean floor.

ROV’S

Buoys and other monitoring devices provide us with data

related to events such as tsunamis and earthquakes.

Powerful computer programs called GIS (Geographic Information Systems) help scientists organize, layer and interpret

huge amounts of collected data in order to study how the Earth changes over time.

Lava Flows over time

The information collected from this technology has provided scientists with

an understanding that the Earth’s spheres are strongly connected and

interactive, and that the Earth is more than a collection of separate parts.

This new method of studying the Earth is called: Earth Systems Science.

Using data from modern technology, scientists can create complex

representations of how the Earth and other parts of our Universe “work”. These

representations of Earth processes are called models.

Tsunami Modeling Program

Tsunami Model

A System is defined as: A part of the Universe that can be studied separately.

What is a System?

The Solar System

Example: Respiratory System

System models can be used to study what happened in the past, what is currently happening, and what might happen in the future.

Galactic Collision

Galactic Collision

Galaxy Model

Galaxy Model

Two Types of Systems

1. Closed System: Energy may enter and leave, but matter does not. (examples?)

2. Open System: System and its surroundings freely exchange both matter and energy. (examples?)

What is the Earth?

Earth Systems Science studies the flow of energy in and out of the

Earth’s open systems, or Spheres.

Chapter 1.2The Earth’s Four Spheres

Matter and energy move back and forth between the different Earth Spheres, every

day, all around you

Can you think of some examples of how this is so?

Interactions among the Earth’s spheres change the spheres to differing

degrees.

These impacts can be single events, temporary changes, or ongoing change.

Single events (example: meteorite impact that causes global extinction)

Ongoing, steady process (example: Erosion)

How are you affected??