Earth Science Overview and Environmental Issues

Earth science is the study of the Earth and its processes, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Definition: Integrative field that focuses on the interactions between the environment and human activities.
Key Components:
- Ecology: Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Conservation Biology: Focuses on preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.
- Environmental Policy: Development of regulations to manage natural resources and protect the environment.
Major Issues:
- Climate Change: Global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
- Pollution: Contamination of air, water, and soil affecting health and ecosystems.
- Resource Depletion: Overuse of natural resources leading to scarcity.
Methods of Study:
- Field Studies: Collecting data on-site to understand environmental conditions.
- Laboratory Experiments: Testing hypotheses in controlled environments.
- Remote Sensing: Using satellite data to monitor environmental changes.

Definition: The study of the Earth's solid materials, including rocks, minerals, and the processes that shape the Earth.
Key Branches:
- Mineralogy: Study of minerals, their properties, and classification.
- Petrology: Study of rocks, their formation, and composition.
- Structural Geology: Examines the arrangement and deformation of rocks.
Major Concepts:
- Plate Tectonics: Theory explaining the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates and its role in geological phenomena (earthquakes, volcanoes).
- Stratigraphy: Study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification).
- Geochronology: Dating of rocks and fossils to understand Earth's history.
Processes:
- Weathering: Breakdown of rocks into soil and sediment through physical, chemical, and biological processes.
- Erosion: Movement of soil and rock by wind, water, or ice.
- Sedimentation: Accumulation of sediments in layers that can form new rocks over time.

Earth science examines the Earth and its systems: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Integrative field exploring the relationship between the environment and human activities.
Key Components:
- Ecology: Investigates interactions among organisms and their environments.
- Conservation Biology: Aims to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem health.
- Environmental Policy: Involves creating rules to manage resources and protect the environment.
Major Issues:
- Climate Change: Primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global warming.
- Pollution: Contaminates air, water, and soil, negatively impacting health and ecosystems.
- Resource Depletion: Results from the excessive use of natural resources, causing scarcity.
Methods of Study:
- Field Studies: Involves collecting data directly from natural settings to analyze environmental conditions.
- Laboratory Experiments: Tests hypotheses in controlled environments to draw conclusions.
- Remote Sensing: Utilizes satellite data to track and monitor changes in the environment.

Focuses on the Earth's solid materials, including rocks and minerals, and the geological processes.
Key Branches:
- Mineralogy: Studies minerals, including their properties and classification.
- Petrology: Examines the origin, formation, and composition of rocks.
- Structural Geology: Analyzes the configuration and deformation of rocks.
Major Concepts:
- Plate Tectonics: Explains the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates, influencing geological events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- Stratigraphy: Investigates the arrangement and layering of rock layers (strata).
- Geochronology: Methods for dating rocks and fossils to reconstruct Earth's geological history.
Processes:
- Weathering: Breaks down rocks into soil and sediment through physical, chemical, or biological means.
- Erosion: Involves the transportation of soil and rock material by wind, water, or ice.
- Sedimentation: Accumulation of sediments that can eventually compact and form new rock layers over time.