Earth Science Sec. 1.1 Introduction to Earth Science and systems

Systems and Cycles and Spheres “Oh my”

Questions Earth Science Tries to Answer? What forces produce mountains? Why is our daily weather so terrible? How old is our earth and how is it related to the other planets in the solar system? When will be the next big earthquake? What the caused of the Ice age and are we done with them? Can a successful well be located at this site?

Who do you think tries to answer these questions about Earth Science? Will Mt. St. Helens erupt soon? How can we better forecast hurricanes? Will a meteor hit Earth? When will the next big earthquake hit? Are the melting icecaps affecting the ocean currents? Can an oil well be located at this site?

Answers Volcanologist Meteorologist Astronomer Seismologist Oceanographer Petroleum Geologist

What exactly is Earth Science? All sciences that collectively seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in Space. –Including Geology Oceanography Meteorology Astronomy

Geology Means “study of Earth” Types –Physical Examines materials composing the earth Process that operate beneath and upon its surfaces –Historical Understand the origin of the earth Understand the development of the planet

Oceanography Integrates Chemistry, physics, geology and Biology Studies: – Composition and movements of seawater –Coastal processes –Seafloor Topography –Marine Life

Not the study of meteors! Study of: Layers of the atmosphere –Processes that produce weather and climate Meteorology

Astronomy Not about your horoscope! Study of the universe. Not specifically covered in this class. We have a separate course devoted solely to this topic.

The Earth as a “System” Everyday systems: –Car’s cooling system –Transportation system –Political system –Weather system –Solar system Definition –Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole unit

Earth Science Newer Concept (turn of the century) Study of ALL the different disciplines put together Interconnectedness, interdependence System

Types of Systems Closed system and Open System

Closed system Self contained. MATTER stays in. Energy moves freely in and out Example:

Open System Matter and energy move in and out freely More complicated Very common in nature Example: river

Open or closed system?

Type of System?

Type of system?

Earth: open or closed system?

Sec. 1.2 Earth’s Four Spheres Hydrosphere Atmosphere Solid Earth Biosphere

The Earth’s spheres are all connected

Hydrosphere All the water –Lakes, rivers –Oceans –Glaciers –Aquifers

Of the hydrosphere…. Oceans (salt water) 97.5% Fresh water (drinkable) 2.5% – Frozen /ice (glaciers) –Ground water (aquifers) –Rivers / lakes – Atmosphere

Atmosphere Gaseous envelope around earth –Half of it below 3.5 miles (5.6 meters) –90% occurs within 10 miles (16 km) of the surface Purpose –Light (Radiation) protection –Energy exchange –Breathing

Geosphere Also known as solid* Earth 3 basic Parts - Core Dense center - Mantle - Less dense solid/liquid* –Crust Thin outer crust

Earths’ crust or lithosphere consists of.. Continents –Ave. elevation 2750 feet above sea level (840 m) Ocean floor –Ave. depth 12,500 feet (3800 m) Continents stand nearly 3 miles above the sea floor (4640 m)

Biosphere All living things on the planet. The other 3 spheres made biosphere possible! Examples: – everything from single-cell protozoa to giant redwoods to humans. Humans are changing the other 3 spheres!

Earth System Closed or Open?

Select one picture describe how all four of earth’s spheres interact.

What we know so far…. Earth is a ________system because matter cannot freely flow in and out yet ________ can. The Earth has 4 interconnected spheres: ________ __________ ______ ________ Models are used to represent or show processes.

Sec. 1.3 Cycles of the Earth A sequence of repeating events –Duration varies Slow: repeat over a long period of time – millions of years Fast: repeat in a short amount of time

Types of Cycles Water Carbon Energy

Hydrologic Cycle The continuous circulation (recycling) of water Water in all three phases –Solid ice, liquid water, gaseous water vapor.

Hydrologic Cycle

Water enters the atmosphere by –evaporation (from oceans and lakes) –evaporation from soil, surfaces – transpiration (from plants) also called - evapo-transpiration. Water leaves the atmosphere as - precipitation from clouds (rain, snow) - infiltration (into ground) - run-off into oceans - condensation (dew)

Hydrologic Cycle

Carbon Cycle The 6 th element: Carbon (C) “building block of life” Carbon is part of the Biogeochemical cycle Carbon is in the earth in many forms Carbon take various amounts of time to cycle through

Carbon is in many forms: SOLID LIQUID GAS

Carbon goes into the atmosphere: - burning fossil fuels - exhaling (respiration) - decomposing organic matter - volcanic eruptions Carbon goes out of the atmosphere: - stored in organic (living) matter -Photosynthesis (plants take it in) -Dissolves into oceans

Energy Cycle (non-recyclable) Movement of energy Sources –Sun –Geothermal –Tidal

The Earth’s # 1 source of energy is... The Sun! Solar energy %

Geothermal Heat from within the Earth 0.013%

Geothermal

Tidal Energy Moon pulls on the Earth’s oceans creating tides 0.002%

Human activity and the cycles Any human activity changes the cycles, both positively and negatively.