Difference between revisions of "Earth science" - New World Encyclopedia
From New World Encyclopedia
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* '''[[Geology]]:''' This discipline is devoted to the study of the [[Rock (geology)|rocky]] parts of the Earth's [[Crust (geology)|crust]]* (or [[lithosphere]]) and its historic development. Major subdisciplines are [[mineralogy]] and [[petrology]]*, [[geochemistry]], [[geomorphology]]*, [[paleontology]], [[stratigraphy]]*, [[engineering geology]]*, and [[sedimentology]]*. | * '''[[Geology]]:''' This discipline is devoted to the study of the [[Rock (geology)|rocky]] parts of the Earth's [[Crust (geology)|crust]]* (or [[lithosphere]]) and its historic development. Major subdisciplines are [[mineralogy]] and [[petrology]]*, [[geochemistry]], [[geomorphology]]*, [[paleontology]], [[stratigraphy]]*, [[engineering geology]]*, and [[sedimentology]]*. | ||
| − | * '''[[Geodesy]]''' and '''[[Geophysics]]:''' Joined together in the ([[IUGG]]*), these disciplines investigate the | + | * '''[[Geodesy]]''' and '''[[Geophysics]]:''' Joined together in the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics ([[IUGG]]*),<ref>The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to the scientific study of the [[Earth]] and to the application of the knowledge gained to the needs of society. It was established in 1919. Its scope includes environmental preservation, reduction of the effects of natural hazards, and [[mineral]] resources.</ref> these disciplines investigate the figure (size and shape) of the Earth, its reaction to forces, and its [[potential field]]*s, such as the [[magnetism|magnetic]] and [[gravity|gravitational]] fields. Geophysicists also explore the [[Earth's core]]* and [[Earth's mantle|mantle]]* and the natural [[deposits]]*, while geodesists study the movement of [[star]]s and [[satellite]]s. |
| − | * '''[[Soil science]]:''' It | + | * '''[[Soil science]]:''' It involves studying the outermost layer of the Earth's crust that is subject to soil formation processes. This layer is known as the ''[[pedosphere]]*''. Major subdisciplines include [[edaphology]]* (the study of the influence of soils on living things) and [[Pedology (soil study)|pedology]]* (the study of soil formation, structure, and classification). |
| − | * '''[[Oceanography]]''' and '''[[Hydrology]]''' ( | + | * '''[[Oceanography]]''' and '''[[Hydrology]]''' (including [[Limnology]]): They encompass studying the marine and freshwater domains of the Earth, which make up the [[hydrosphere]]. Major subdisciplines include [[hydrogeology]]* and [[Physical oceanography|physical]]*, [[Chemical oceanography|chemical]]*, and [[biology|biological]]* oceanography. Within the scientific union [[IUGG]]*, these disciplines (except the chemical ones) are joined with [[geophysics]]. |
| − | * '''[[Glaciology]]:''' It covers the [[ice|icy]] parts of the Earth, also known as the ''[[cryosphere]]*''. | + | * '''[[Glaciology]]:''' It covers the [[ice|icy]]* parts of the Earth, also known as the ''[[cryosphere]]*''. |
| − | * '''[[Atmospheric sciences]]:''' | + | * '''[[Atmospheric sciences]]:''' [[Meteorology]], [[climatology]], and [[aeronomy]]* (physics and chemistry of the upper atmosphere) are the main subdisciplines of the atmospheric sciences. They cover the [[gas|gaseous]] parts of the Earth, that is, the [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]], between the surface and the [[exosphere]]* (at an altitude of about 1,000 kilometers). |
Given the numerous interactions between the [[Earth's spheres]], many modern fields take an [[interdisciplinary]]* approach and do not fit comfortably in this scheme. Also, the above specialties do not operate in isolation. For example, to understand the circulation of the oceans, one must study the [[interaction]]*s between the ocean, atmosphere, and [[Earth's rotation]]*. | Given the numerous interactions between the [[Earth's spheres]], many modern fields take an [[interdisciplinary]]* approach and do not fit comfortably in this scheme. Also, the above specialties do not operate in isolation. For example, to understand the circulation of the oceans, one must study the [[interaction]]*s between the ocean, atmosphere, and [[Earth's rotation]]*. | ||
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==Earth system science== | ==Earth system science== | ||
| − | Many scientists | + | Many scientists have begun using an approach known as '''Earth system science'''. They treat the entire Earth as a [[Systems thinking|system]]* in its own right, which develops as a result of ''[[positive feedback|positive]]*'' and ''[[negative feedback]]*'' between constituent systems. In the [[Systems thinking|systems approach]]*, scientists combine the use of computer models with global [[Earth observation satellite|satellite]]* and shipboard data, in attempting to understand the Earth's past and to predict its future behavior. |
| − | Complex computer models | + | Complex computer models that seek to model several different parts of the Earth system and the interactions between them are known as ''Earth system models''. Many are based on [[Global climate model]]*s and include sub-models for the ocean, atmosphere, biosphere, and other parts of the Earth system. The interactions are of particular importance when trying to understand changes over decades, centuries, and longer periods. |
| − | [[Gaia theory (science)|Gaia theories]] explain the | + | "[[Gaia theory (science)|Gaia theories]]*" are formulated to explain the behavior of the Earth system in terms of the influence of the biosphere. |
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== Partial list of the major Earth Science topics == | == Partial list of the major Earth Science topics == | ||
Revision as of 01:42, 19 December 2006
Earth science (also known as geoscience, the geosciences or the Earth Sciences), is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth science. The major historic disciplines use physics, geology, mathematics, chemistry, and biology to build a quantitative understanding of the principal areas or spheres of the Earth system.
Earth's spheres
- Geology: This discipline is devoted to the study of the rocky parts of the Earth's crust (or lithosphere) and its historic development. Major subdisciplines are mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, paleontology, stratigraphy, engineering geology, and sedimentology.
- Geodesy and Geophysics: Joined together in the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG),[1] these disciplines investigate the figure (size and shape) of the Earth, its reaction to forces, and its potential fields, such as the magnetic and gravitational fields. Geophysicists also explore the Earth's core and mantle and the natural deposits, while geodesists study the movement of stars and satellites.
- Soil science: It involves studying the outermost layer of the Earth's crust that is subject to soil formation processes. This layer is known as the pedosphere. Major subdisciplines include edaphology (the study of the influence of soils on living things) and pedology (the study of soil formation, structure, and classification).
- Oceanography and Hydrology (including Limnology): They encompass studying the marine and freshwater domains of the Earth, which make up the hydrosphere. Major subdisciplines include hydrogeology and physical, chemical, and biological oceanography. Within the scientific union IUGG, these disciplines (except the chemical ones) are joined with geophysics.
- Glaciology: It covers the icy parts of the Earth, also known as the cryosphere.
- Atmospheric sciences: Meteorology, climatology, and aeronomy (physics and chemistry of the upper atmosphere) are the main subdisciplines of the atmospheric sciences. They cover the gaseous parts of the Earth, that is, the atmosphere, between the surface and the exosphere (at an altitude of about 1,000 kilometers).
Given the numerous interactions between the Earth's spheres, many modern fields take an interdisciplinary approach and do not fit comfortably in this scheme. Also, the above specialties do not operate in isolation. For example, to understand the circulation of the oceans, one must study the interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth's rotation.
Interdisciplinary fields
Other fields of research involve greater interdisciplinary interactions. Some of them are listed below.
- Biogeochemistry: It follows the cycling of elements through the spheres mediated by biological and geological processes, and especially their distribution and fluxes between reservoirs.
- Mineralogy and Mineral Physics: consider the rock-forming minerals on the atomic length-scale, both as part of geosystems and increasingly with an eye towards technological applications (for instance, as catalysts or exploiting their potential ferroelectric properties); in this, there is extensive and increasing overlap with solid-state physics, crystal chemistry and Materials Science.
- Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology: They use the properties of sediments, ice cores, or biological material to infer past states of the ocean, atmosphere or climate.
- Meteorology: It describes, explains, and predicts the weather, based on the interaction of principally the ocean and atmosphere.
- Climatology: It describes and explains the climate in terms of the interaction of the litho-, pedo-, hydro-, atmo-, cryo-, and bio- spheres.
- Atmospheric chemistry: It describes, explains, and predicts the chemical composition of the atmosphere in principally terms of the interactions of the ocean, atmosphere, biosphere and human influence.
- Hydrology: It considers the flow of water through the Earth, from the transition of water in the form of precipitation in the atmosphere, to rivers, and groundwater in aquifers.
Earth system science
Many scientists have begun using an approach known as Earth system science. They treat the entire Earth as a system in its own right, which develops as a result of positive and negative feedback between constituent systems. In the systems approach, scientists combine the use of computer models with global satellite and shipboard data, in attempting to understand the Earth's past and to predict its future behavior.
Complex computer models that seek to model several different parts of the Earth system and the interactions between them are known as Earth system models. Many are based on Global climate models and include sub-models for the ocean, atmosphere, biosphere, and other parts of the Earth system. The interactions are of particular importance when trying to understand changes over decades, centuries, and longer periods.
"Gaia theories" are formulated to explain the behavior of the Earth system in terms of the influence of the biosphere.
Partial list of the major Earth Science topics
Atmosphere
- Atmospheric chemistry
- Climatology
- Meteorology
- Hydrometeorology
- Paleoclimatology
Biosphere
- Biogeography
- Paleontology
- Palynology
- Micropaleontology
- Geomicrobiology
Hydrosphere
- Hydrology
- Hydrogeology
- Oceanography
- Chemical oceanography
- Marine biology
- Marine geology
- Paleoceanography
- Physical oceanography
Lithosphere or geosphere
- Geology
- Economic geology
- Engineering geology
- Environmental geology
- Historical geology
- Glaciology
- Quaternary geology
- Planetary geology
- Sedimentology
- Stratigraphy
- Structural geology
- Geochemistry
- Geomorphology
- Geophysics
- Geochronology
- Geodynamics (see also Tectonics)
- Geomagnetics
- Gravimetry (also part of Geodesy)
- Seismology
- Hydrogeology
- Mineralogy
- Crystallography
- Gemology
- Petrology
- Volcanology
Pedosphere
- Soil science
- Edaphology
- Pedology
Systems
- Geography
- Human geography
- Physical Geography
- Earth system science
- Gaia theories
Others
- Cartography
- Geoinformatics (GIS)
- Geostatistics
- Geodesy and Surveying
See also
| General subfields within the earth sciences |
|---|
| Atmospheric sciences | Geodesy | Geology | Geophysics | Glaciology |
| Hydrology | Oceanography | Soil science |
| General subfields within the Natural sciences |
|---|
| Astronomy | Biology | Chemistry | Earth science | Ecology | Physics |
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- ↑ The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to the scientific study of the Earth and to the application of the knowledge gained to the needs of society. It was established in 1919. Its scope includes environmental preservation, reduction of the effects of natural hazards, and mineral resources.
