Earth System Science How is Earth a system?

Understanding the System  Many different parts working together to make a whole.  Ex. A car engine

Forming the Earth  Q.) How did the Solar System form?  A.) From a large rotating solar nebula made up of hydrogen (H) and helium (He).

Layers on Earth  Iron (Fe) and Nickel (Ni) sunk to the center of the Earth.  Lighter materials floated outward = formation of atmosphere and oceans.

Earth’s System  Powered by 2 sources: 1. Sun – powers external processes (atmosphere, hydrosphere, surface) 2. Core– powers internal processes (volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation)

People and the Environment Q.) How do people influence natural processes? A.) By building, cutting down forests, agriculture, etc.

Resources  2 types: 1.) Renewable – replenished over short time 2.) Nonrenewable – take millions/billions of years to form

Population Q.) How will our basic resources last with an increase in population every year? A.) No one knows!

Environmental Problems  Major Threats are: Air Pollution Acid Rain Ozone Depletion Global Warming Lack of Fertile Soil And more!

4 Major Spheres 1. Hydrosphere – 2. Atmosphere – 3. Geosphere -

What Connects Them All? 4. Biosphere -

Hydrosphere  Makes our planet special!  What is the water cycle? com/viewVideo.php?vi deo_id=7708  Amounts of Water: 97% Ocean 3% Freshwater

Atmosphere  Keeps life going!  What does it do?  Why is it important?

Geosphere  3 parts: Core Mantle Crust  Different layers because of the composition.

Biosphere  Involves all life from the ocean floor to the atmosphere.  Do we change the environment we live in?

Plate Tectonics  How the Earth moves!  7 different plates  2 different forces: Destructive Constructive

Earth’s Surface

Reading the Maps  Use two things: 1. Latitude: 2. Longitude:

Projection Maps  Two types: 1.) Mercator – the directions were accurate 2.) Robinson- Distance, shape, size are accurate

Topographic Maps  Shows the Earth in 3-D in a 2-D way  They show elevation with contour lines.

Contour Lines  Contour Interval – the difference in elevation between adjacent lines.  Close lines - steep slope  Far Apart - gentle slope  Circle - hill

Scale  What is it?  What map makers use to show the distance on the map in relation to the Earth.  Ex. 1: 24,000

Geologic Maps  Shows the type and age of the rocks that are exposed.  The same rocks are the same color and/or pattern.

Advanced Technology  We are now able to analyze Earth ’ s physical properties more precisely.  Remote Sensing – using satellites to map the Earth  GPS

Scientific Method

What is it? The process that all scientists follow to explore a question. It is the same for everyone and allows for consistency.

The Method Identify the Problem Create a Hypothesis Identify Variables Collect Data Analyze the Data Communicate the Results