Earth Science
Chapter 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 determine the nature of
what is being studied.
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 System’s 4 Spheres
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Atmosphere
Geosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Why Study Earth Science??
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Tornado path
Mining Minerals
Oil Exploration
Why Study Earth Science?
1. Resources, Economics
2. Hazards
3. Human sustainability
4. Engineering
5. Military
6. Pure Science and Understanding
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
Geology
Oceanography
Hydrology
Astronomy
Meteorology
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
water, and its interaction with the land, as part
of the water cycle. Hydrologists help provide
information needed to find adequate supplies
of fresh water. They also study floods and
water pollution.
Chapter 1.1 Earth Systems Science
The Earth Sciences
Astronomy
Physics
Oceanography
Biology
Geology
Meteorology
Hydrology
Chemistry
Advances in technology have allowed
scientists to study the Earth in a
variety of different ways.
Submersible
Satellite
Seismometer
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, query and
interpret huge amounts of collected data in
order to study how the Earth changes over
time.
Layering of Elevation and Vegetation Data
What data do you
think this image
displays?
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.
Earth Systems Science
Using data from modern technology,
scientists can create complex
representations of how the Earth
“works”. These representations of
Earth processes are called models.
Tsunami Modeling Program
Tsunami Model
What is a System?
A System is defined as: A part of the
Universe that can be studied separately.
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
Earth Science is the study of our planet’s
interacting systems, its place within
the solar system, and the universe
beyond the earth.
• Closed Systems – energy can be
exchanged, but matter can not (it
doesn’t enter or leave the system).
• Open Systems – energy and matter
are freely exchanged between the
system and its surroundings.
ENERGY can enter,
Closed Systems - ________
MATTER doesn’t enter or leave.
but ________
Can energy in the form of light enter?
Can energy in the form of heat enter?
Can my soda (matter) come out?
Can the buildings (matter) leave the snowglobe?
•http://thefutureofartificialintelligence.blogspot.com/2008/11/ai-132-artificial-intelligence-agents.html
•http://swervechurch.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/snow_globe.jpg
ENERGY and MATTER
Open Systems - __________________
are freely exchanged between the system
and its surroundings.
Energy and matter are able to be
exchanged in this system.
Soda and ice (matter) can be put
back into glass, or can spill out of
glass into the environment.
http://www.displayit-info.com/food/images/drinks/2120.JPG
Main Pass Energy Hub
Initial design had open-loop system
(sucked up seawater to cool the
operating units).
Earth Systems Science studies the
flow of matter and energy in and
out of the Earth’s open systems,
or Spheres.
Chapter 1.2
The Earth’s Four Spheres
Geosphere
Matter and energy move back and forth
between the different Earth Spheres, and the
different spheres interact every day, all
around you.
Can you think of some examples of how
this is so?
Geosphere and _______?
Atmosphere and ______?
Geosphere and _______?
_________ and _______?
Interactions among the Spheres
Volcanoes (___________) erupt,
sending ash and gases into the
air (____________), and sending
lava and ash down on surrounding
forests (____________) and human
habitations (____________).
Interactions among the Spheres
Hurricanes (____________)
Sweep across the ocean
(____________), and onto the
Land (____________), damaging
The dwellings of people
(____________) who live along
The coast.
Interactions among the Earth’s
spheres change the spheres to
differing degrees.
These impacts can be single events,
temporary changes, or ongoing change.
Single event example: meteorite impact
that causes massive global extinction)
Ongoing change, steady process
(example: Erosion)
Section 1.3: Cycles and the Earth
Focus Question: What are Cycles, and how do
they work?
Key Vocabulary:
Cycle
Evapotranspiration
Geothermal Energy
Solar Energy
Tidal Energy
Carbon Cycle
Tectonic Cycle
Rock Cycle
Water Cycle
Energy Cycle
Cycles and the Earth
A Cycle is a series of steps that repeats.
Some cycles (water cycle) repeat over
relatively short periods of time, while
others repeat over millions of years.
On Earth, the water cycle, energy cycle,
carbon cycle, tectonic cycle and rock cycle
“work” together to maintain a dynamic
planet.
The Water Cycle
What is Happening?
The Carbon Cycle
• The Carbon Cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which
carbon is exchanged between the Biosphere, Geosphere,
Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere of the Earth.
•The Carbon Cycle includes four major interconnected
reservoirs that exchange Carbon.
• These reservoirs include the Atmosphere (mostly carbon
dioxide), the terrestrial Biosphere, the Oceans, and
Sediments and Fossil Fuels.
The Carbon Cycle
The Rock Cycle
• The rock cycle describes the dynamic transition,
over geologic time, between the three main rock
types: Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Igneous.
• Rocks are changed or destroyed when they are
forced out of equilibrium conditions, due to the
driving forces of plate tectonics and the water cycle
that expose rocks to new environments.
The Rock Cycle
Tectonic Cycle
Tectonic Cycle
•The Earth’s geologic history is one of continents rifting
and diverging, forming new ocean basins, followed by
motion reversal and convergence back together, plate
collision and mountain-building (formation and
destruction of supercontinents and ocean basins).
• The plate tectonic cycle is driven by earth’s internal
heat and results in the slow but continuous recycling of
material through the mantle and back up into the crust.
• This cycle of opening and closing oceanic basins, and
rifting and converging continents is called a “Wilson
Cycle”.
Tectonic Cycle
• The Tectonic Cycle rebuilds the land and prevents the
Earth’s surface from being weathered and eroded to
sea-level or below.
• The Tectonic Cycle brings minerals that are vital to
human civilization to the Earth’s surface.
Is Earth an Open or Closed System?
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http://www.all-creatures.org/hope/img/earth-light.jpg