Earth Sciences – Jack Pierce – MS 2 GeologyGeology AstronomyAstronomy MeteorologyMeteorology OceanographyOceanography

What is Earth Science? Consider these questions? Why do volcanoes erupt? Why do volcanoes erupt? What forces produce mountains? What forces produce mountains? Why is climate so variable? Why is climate so variable? How old is the earth? How old is the earth? Why do we have ocean tides? Why do we have ocean tides? Is there really global warming? Is there really global warming? Is there really ice ages? Is there really ice ages? How do we get water out of the ground? How do we get water out of the ground? How does earth “fit” in our universe? How does earth “fit” in our universe? Earth Science: Studding the earth and surrounding universe – using geology, meteorology, universe – using geology, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy oceanography and astronomy

Geology – the study of the earth Physical Geology: Materials that comprise the earthMaterials that comprise the earth rocks, minerals, earths interior, rocks, minerals, earths interior, processes acting below and above the processes acting below and above the surface surface Historical Geology Understand the origin and developmentUnderstand the origin and development Understand the chronological order of Understand the chronological order of geologic events over 4.6 by old earth geologic events over 4.6 by old earth The geologic time scale Dating various geologic events The significance of fossils

Physical Oceanography: The study of the ocean floor including Ocean chemistry Physics Physics Sea floor geology Sea floor geology Coastal processes Coastal processes Sea floor topography Sea floor topography

Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere and Study of the atmosphere and processes that produce climate and processes that produce climate and weather. weather.

Astronomy: The study of the universe the earth’s place in our universe the earth’s place in our universe the origin of our earth the origin of our earth earth is related to all other earth is related to all other objects in the universe objects in the universe

What questions do you have about your earth? How do you think these questions are answered with accuracy?

How do we find “accuracy” in our answers? The Scientific Method-Science Inquiry A set of logical steps scientists use to “get to the truth” of processes acting in the universe Making Observations and Measurements Collecting facts, asking why questions Collecting facts, asking why questions Formulating a Hypothesis (predictions as to why) Explaining how and why it works (after fact- finding), “educated guessing” Explaining how and why it works (after fact- finding), “educated guessing” Formulating a Hypothesis (predictions as to why) Explaining how and why it works (after fact- finding), “educated guessing” Explaining how and why it works (after fact- finding), “educated guessing” Testing the Hypothesis (experimenting) performing experimentations that test the accuracy of the hypothesis performing experimentations that test the accuracy of the hypothesis Testing the Hypothesis (experimenting) performing experimentations that test the accuracy of the hypothesis performing experimentations that test the accuracy of the hypothesis

How do we find “accuracy” in our answers How do we find “accuracy” in our answers? The Scientific Method Scientific Theory well-tested hypothesis – widely accepted view well-tested hypothesis – widely accepted view that explains observable facts that explains observable facts Scientific Law or Principle natural phenomena are observed to happen in natural phenomena are observed to happen in the same way – no deviations have ever been the same way – no deviations have ever been observed observed

The Scientific Method If you fail, try try try again. If you fail, try try try again. 7

The Scientific Method in Action-- Astronomy C. Ptolemy Almagest – accepted the geocentric model over the heliocentric model A.D. 90 – N. Copernicus Continued with the heliocentric theory– -- and was widely accepted J. Kepler Developed the three planetary laws of motion Revolutionizedastronomy Isaac Newton Described the 3 laws of motion, Universal Gravitation, showed earth and planetary bodies are governed by universal laws of physics – thus ending geocentric theory Observation/ Experimentation/ Theory 1,650 years of scientific method AstronomyTimeline 10

II Earth Science. I will get an A on my exams and quizzes. Discuss with a friend: 1.Explain why the scientific method is a useful tool for learning about the a useful tool for learning about the processes that occur in our universe. processes that occur in our universe. 2Define the steps within the scientific method. method. IC

How is the Earth studied? (Earth System Science) Various “systems” within the earth that interact with one another -– called Earth System Science Systems are NOT individually studied Systems are NOT individually studied How one system impacts another How one system impacts another system system Various “systems” within the earth that interact with one another -– called Earth System Science Systems are NOT individually studied Systems are NOT individually studied How one system impacts another How one system impacts another system system System: An integrated set of “parts” that work together to accomplish a goal or task (objective) System: An integrated set of “parts” that work together to accomplish a goal or task (objective) Give an example of various systems.

Earth as a System: How systems exchange matter and energy Earth as a System: How systems exchange matter and energy SUN Isolated System Isolated System No exchange of matter or energy No exchange of matter or energy SUN Closed System Closed System Exchange of energy but not matter Exchange of energy but not matter SUN Open System Open System Exchange of both matter and energy Exchange of both matter and energy Which system is the Earth? ?

II Earth Science. I will get an A on my exams and quizzes. Discuss with a friend: 3. Define a system as discussed in earth science. earth science. 4. Differentiate between an open, closed, and isolated system. and isolated system. 5. Explain why earth is considered a closed system. system. IC

The fragile earth as a closed system is supported by four interrelated open systems. The fragile earth as a closed system is supported by four interrelated open systems. Lithosphere (geosphere) Represents the solid earth: minerals, rocks, and interior Lithosphere (geosphere) Represents the solid earth: minerals, rocks, and interior Atmosphere: Thin blanket of gas keeping life alive, warm, and protected Atmosphere: Thin blanket of gas keeping life alive, warm, and protected Hydrosphere: Interaction of all water processes, only planet with water, 71% ocean 12,500 feet deep, streams, lakes, groundwater Hydrosphere: Interaction of all water processes, only planet with water, 71% ocean 12,500 feet deep, streams, lakes, groundwater Biosphere: Includes all living organisms on land, in water, and in air Biosphere: Includes all living organisms on land, in water, and in air

II Earth Science. Discuss with a friend: 6. Define the following: lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere atmosphere 7. Provide an earth process that takes place between two open systems. place between two open systems. 8. What is the meaning of geosphere?

An Important Aspect of Earth System Science The earth maintains balance between the The earth maintains balance between the open systems through positive and negative open systems through positive and negative feedback mechanisms. feedback mechanisms. An Important Aspect of Earth System Science The earth maintains balance between the The earth maintains balance between the open systems through positive and negative open systems through positive and negative feedback mechanisms. feedback mechanisms. Positive feedbackworks to change the system Positive feedback works to change the system Negative feedback works to resist the change change the system Working to change the system and working to resist the changebalance resist the change maintains balance within the system. change the system Working to change the system and working to resist the changebalance resist the change maintains balance within the system. weight gain example “Tug of War”

Positive/Negative Feedback Example: negative Earth’s climatic system – positive/negative feedback Positive feedback SUN Ocean water vapor –increases air temperature water vapor –increases air temperature Evaporates sea water Evaporates sea water Negative feedback Increasing evaporation (working to change the system) Increasing evaporation (working to change the system) Water vapor condenses, forming clouds Water vapor condenses, forming clouds Reflecting sunlight Decreasing evaporation (working to resist change) Decreasing evaporation (working to resist change) Ocean Atmosphere maintains balance.

II Earth Science. I will get an A on my exams and quizzes Discuss with a friend: 9. Describe the meaning of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. negative feedback mechanisms. 10. Explain how positive and negative feedback mechanisms keep the earth feedback mechanisms keep the earth balanced. balanced. 11. Think of at least 2 positive/negative feedbacks that balance the earth. feedbacks that balance the earth. IC

8. SUN Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Asteroid Belt Outer planets Jovian planets Gas planets Inner planets Terrestrial planets The earth’s place in the solar system Low densities High densities

The earth’s interior Inner Core Solid- Ni, Fe 12.5 g/cm 3 Outer Core Molten – Ni, Fe 11.5 g/cm 3 Mantle -Solid Si,O,Fe,Mg,Ca 5.5 g/cm 3 Temp: 5000 C Source of magnetic field Asthenosphere ductile rock Mantle Core Lithosphere cont/ocean crust Upper mantle 2.8 g/cm 3 Crust Why are densities arranged from heavy (core) to lightest (crust)? Chemical Differentiation

What makes earth unique?? Oxygen, water, life oxygen atmosphere no O 2 on other planets the hydrologic cycle Soil accumulation weathering of rocks various soil types Plate Tectonics moving continents formation of landforms from interacting plates Oxygen, water, life oxygen atmosphere no O 2 on other planets the hydrologic cycle Soil accumulation weathering of rocks various soil types Plate Tectonics moving continents formation of landforms from interacting plates

II Earth Science. I will get an A on my exams and quizzes. Discuss with a friend: 12. Name the planets in their proper order. 13. Describe the layering of the earth using lithosphere, asthenosphere, using lithosphere, asthenosphere, mantle, and core; explain properties. mantle, and core; explain properties. 14. Describe chemical differentiation. 15. Present at least 3 reasons why the earth is unique. earth is unique.

So, why study Earth Science? We depend on earth’s resources.We depend on earth’s resources. where to find resources and how to where to find resources and how to manage the resources manage the resources Understand earth (geologic) hazards Understand earth (geologic) hazards how earthquakes, land sliding, volcanic how earthquakes, land sliding, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, tornados, eruptions, floods, hurricanes, tornados, “just to name a few” processes, work! “just to name a few” processes, work! Understand the complexity of the Understand the complexity of the interactions between the earth’s spheres interactions between the earth’s spheres open system relationships between the open system relationships between the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere hydrosphere Oh yeah! – So you get your science requirement