Chapter One: Introduction

to Earth Science

1.1 What is earth science?

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• The group of sciences which deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.

Geology is the study of all the material

that makes up Earth and the processes

that shape the planet.

Geologists study

the way that these

objects formed,

their composition,

how they interact

with one another,

how they erode,

and how humans

can use them.

• An example of

a geologic

event on earth

would be a

volcanic

eruption.

Other geologic events could be mountain

formation, earthquakes or the movement of

tectonic plates.

Oceanographyintegrates

chemistry,

physics, geology

and biology.

Oceanographersstudy seawater

composition and

movements, coastal

processes, seafloor

topography and

marine life.

• An example of an oceanic event would be an ocean wave.

• Meteorology IS

NOT the study of

meteors!

• Meteorology is

the study of the

atmosphere,

including

weather and

climate.

• Meteorologists can also be called

Climatologists. One of the most

important events that meteorologists

study today is “Global Warming.”

Other

meteorological

events include

hurricanes,

tornadoes, and

rainstorms.

Astronomy represents science

beyond earth. It is the oldest known

science.

Astronomy is the study of the

universe, its formation and all the

objects within it.

An example of

an astronomical

event could be a

solar flare

coming off the

surface of the

sun.

Other astronomical events include a

comet’s orbit, a solar eclipse or the

explosion of a star, also called a nova.

The first topic of earth science we

will discuss is the solar nebula

hypothesis.

First, though….

how do you think the solar

system was formed?