What is Earth Science

1. What is Earth Science

2. Obviously, the 'study of the earth' is quite abroad concept, so there are many subdisciplines within the Earth sciences. In general, geology is the scientific study of the earth- the material of which it is made, the processes that act on these materials, the products formed, and the history of the planet and its life forms since origin. Geology now includes the study of other planets as well. And geophysics focuses on the application of physical laws and principles to a study of the earth. However, these two very broad categories can be broken down further into many subdisciplines. Listed below is a brief description of some of the major research areas currently being conducted in our department. If you wish to contact a professor regarding research in any of these areas, please click here for more information and links.

3. Branches of Earth science

5. Biomagnetism • The study of magnetic bacteria and their relationship to the earth's magnetic field.

6. Environmental Geology • The interdisciplinary study of the interaction of humans with the geologic environment including the biosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and to some extent the atmosphere.

7. Lithosphere • The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth. The lithosphere includes the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust, the outermost layers of Earths structure. It is bounded by the atmosphere above and the asthenosphere (another part of the upper mantle) below.

8. Hydrosphere • Hydrosphere is the combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of a planet, minor planet, or natural satellite. Although Earth's hydrosphere has been around for about 4 billion years, it continues to change in shape.

9. Exploration Geophysics • Application of seismology, gravity and magnetics to the location of petroleum and ore deposits.

10. Fluid Dynamics • Application of physics and mathematics to the flow of fluids and solids.

11. Geobiology • The study of processes at the interface between organic and inorganic materials, and the role of microbes on the origin of life.

12. Geochemistry • The study of the distribution and amounts of chemical elements and their isotopes in minerals, ores, rocks, soils, waters, and the atmosphere.

13. Geochronology • Study of time in relationship to the history of the earth.

14. . Geofluids • Study of fluids in and on Earth and other planets

15. Geologic Mapping and Resource Evaluation • Determining the distribution of different rocks at the earth's surface and economic implications.

16. Geostatistics • Application of statistics to the analysis of geological and geophysical data.

17. Hydrogeology • The study of water flow and chemistry at and below the earth's surface.

19. Limnology • The study of lake sediments, most often used to determine past climate and ecological environments.

20. Mineral Physics • The study of how minerals respond to forces.

21. Mineralogy • The study of minerals: formation, occurrence, properties, composition, crystal structure, and classification.

22. Numerical Modeling • Supercomputer applications to a wide variety of problems involving flow of geological materials.

23. Oceanography • The study of the ocean, including its boundaries and bottom topography, the physics and chemistry of sea water, the types of currents, and the many phases of marine biology.

24. Paleoclimatology • The study of past climatic and ecological environments.

25. Paleomagnetism • The study of the magnetic record in rocks and implications for plate tectonics and the origin of the earth's magnetic field.

26. Paleontology • The study of life in past geologic time, based on fossil plant and animals, their relationships to existing plants , animals and environments and the chronology of Earth’s history

27. Petrology • The study of the formation of rocks at depth in the earth.

28. Rock and Mineral Magnetism • The study of how rocks and minerals record magnetic information.

29. Sedimentology • The scientific study of sedimentary rocks and the processes by which they were formed: the description, classification, and interpretation of sediments. Includes basin analysis, river studies, surface processes, stratigraphy, and geochronology.

30. Seismology • Study of seismic waves to determine the internal structure of the earth and the origin and location of earthquakes.

31. Structural Geology and Tectonics • The study of mountain building, movement of tectonic plates, and deformation of the earth's crust.

32. Volcanology • The scientific study of the dynamics of volcanoes.

34. These sciences are interdisciplinary in nature as geoscientists need to know the core sciences of chemistry, physics, and math. Earth is where we live- what affects it, affects us.

35. Therefore, there are crossovers to many other areas of study, some of which are • Archaeology • Biology • Computer Science • Ecology • Engineering • Geography • Materials Science • Microbiology • Soil Science • Water Resources

36. Earth Science is the study of Earth and its neighbors in space.

37. Introduction • What is the Earth Science? Earth Science is the study of the Earth and its neighbors in space. It is an exciting science with many interesting and practical applications.

38. Introduction • Some Earth scientists use their knowledge of the Earth to locate and develop energy and mineral resources. Others study the impact of human activity on Earth's environment, and design methods to protect the planet. Some use their knowledge about Earth processes such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes to plan communities that will not expose people to these dangerous events.

39. The Four Earth Sciences • Many different sciences are used to learn about the Earth; however, the four basic areas of Earth science study are: geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. A brief explanation of these sciences is provided below.

40. Mapping the inside of a volcano: Dr. atherine CSnelson, Assistant Professor of Geophysics at New Mexico Tech, sets off small explosions on the flank of Mount Erebus (a volcano in Antarctica). Vibrations from the explosions travel into the Earth and reflect off of structures below. Her instruments record the vibrations. She uses the data to prepare maps of the volcano's interior. Photo courtesy of Martin Reed, the National Science Foundation and the United States Antarctic Program.

42. Geology is the Science of the Earth • Geology is the primary Earth science. The word means "study of the Earth." Geology deals with the composition of Earth materials, Earth structures, and Earth processes. It is also concerned with the organisms of the planet and how the planet has changed over time. Geologists search for fuels and minerals, study natural hazards, and work to protect Earth’s environment.

43. Geology is the Science of the Earth • Mapping lava flows: Charlie Bacon, a USGS volcanologist, draws the boundaries of prehistoric lava flows from Mount Veniaminof, Alaska, onto a map. This map will show the areas covered by past lava eruptions and can be used to estimate the potential impact of future eruptions.

44. Geology is the Science of the Earth • Scientists in Alaska often carry firearms(foreground) and pepper spray as protection against grizzly bears. The backpack contains food and survival gear, and a two-way radio to call his helicopter pilot. Charlie's orange overalls help the pilot find him on pick-up day.

45. Meteorology: Science of the Atmosphere • Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and how processes in the atmosphere determine Earth's weather and climate.

46. Meteorology: Science of the Atmosphere • Meteorology is a very practical science because everyone is concerned about the weather. How climate changes over time in response to the actions of people is a topic of urgent worldwide concern. The study of meteorology is of critical importance in protecting Earth's environment.

47. Meteorology: Science of the Atmosphere • Hydrologic Cycle: Earth Science involves the study of systems such as the hydrologic cycle. This type of system can only be understood by using a knowledge of geology (groundwater), meteorology (weather and climate), oceanography (ocean systems) and astronomy (energy input from the sun). The hydrologic cycle is always in balance - inputs and withdrawals must be equal. Earth scientists would determine the impact of any human input or withdraw from the system.

48. Oceanography: Science of the Oceans • Oceanography is the study of Earth's oceans their composition, movement, organisms and processes.

49. Oceanography: Science of the Oceans • The oceans cover most of our planet and are important resources for food and other commodities. They are increasingly being used as an energy source.

50. Oceanography: Science of the Oceans • The oceans also have a major influence on the weather, and changes in the oceans can drive or moderate climate change.