GROUP 2

Earth Science
the study of the Earth and the universe around it
the study of Earth systems and systems in space; including weather and climate systems,
and the study of nonliving things such as rocks, oceans, and planets.
Nebular hypothesis
-proposes that the sun, the earth and the rest of the solar system formed from a nebula, or cloud
of dust and gas.
BRANCHES OF EARTH SCIENCE
Astronomy: the study of objects beyond Earths atmosphere.
Meteorology: the study of Earths atmosphere
Geology: the study of the origin, history, and structure of Earth.
physical geology
-examination of the materials that make up Earth and possible explanations for the many
processes that shape our planet
historical geology
-aim is to understand Earths long history by establishing a timeline of the vast number of
physical and biological changes that have occurred in the past
Oceanography: the study of the life and properties of Earths oceans.
LAYERS OF EARTH
CRUST
- The thin, outermost layer of the earth.
MANTLE
- is a layer between the crust and the outer core. It is a dense, hot layer of semi-solid rock
CORE
-The outer core is made of iron and is very dense.
-The inner core is made of solid iron and nickel.
EARTHS MAJOR SPHERES
Geosphere:
- the area from the surface of Earth down to its center.
Atmosphere:
-the blanket of gases that surrounds our planet.
Hydrosphere:
-all the water on Earth.
Biosphere:
-all organisms on Earth and the environments in which they live.
PLATE TECTONICS
-is the theory that proposes that Earths outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in
various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and Earths crust itself.
-Plate movement is driven by unequal distribution of heat within the Earth
Two types of forces affecting the Earths surface
destructive - weathering and erosion flatten the Earth
constructive - mountain building and volcanism build up the surface

ROCK CYCLE
New Rocks Exposed by Erosion
Rocks Broken Down Mechanically and Chemically (Weathering)
Components Transported by Erosion
Components Cemented into Sedimentary Rocks
Burial and Heating creates Metamorphic Rocks
Melting Creates Igneous Rocks
Representing earths surface
Latitude and longitude are lines on the globe that are used to determine location.
Latitude
-is distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.
Longitude
-is distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees.
Earth System Science
Earth system science aims to understand Earth as a system made up of interacting parts,
or subsystems. A system can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex
whole.
In a closed system, matter does not enter or leave the system.
In an open system, energy and matter flow into and out of the system.
Most natural systems are open systems.
The Earth system is powered by energy from two sources. One source of energy for Earth
systems is the sun, which drives external processes that occur in the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, and at Earths surface.
The suns energy drives weather, climate, ocean circulation, and erosion.