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GEOS 111 Intro to Earth Science Earth Science • Geology – The study of the earth (geo) • Oceanography – The study of the ocean • Meteorology – The study of the atmosphere • Astronomy – The study of the space The Four Spheres • Hydrosphere – Earth is the Blue Planet, it is covered by water (71%) to an average depth of 3800 meters • Atmosphere – Thin layer of gases that protects us from the sun and gives us life (oxygen) • Lithosphere – Bulk of the earth rock and molten material, subdivided in to core, mantle and crust • Biosphere – Life as we know it interacts with the physical surroundings Figure 2.3 Who Needs Earth Science • Avoiding Geologic Hazards – – – Earthquakes Volcanoes Other geologic hazards • Supplying Things We Need – – – Energy Metals Non Metals • Protecting the Environment • Understanding Our Surroundings – • • Appreciating scenery while traveling Knowing about the Ocean Learning about the Atmosphere Venezuela Debris Flows December 1999 Flooding in Mozambique February 2000 Copper Basin, TN- Burra Burra Mine Surface Processes • Driven by solar power & gravity • Erosion--due to water, ice, wind, gravity • Rock formed at high temperature becomes unstable at surface – – Form new material stable under conditions at earth’s surface equilibrium • Sediment – can solidify into sedimentary rock Hurricane Allan 1980 Eye; area of calm Mexico Storm tide damage (Hurricane Hugo) South Carolina Map of ozone over Antarctica (1997) in Dobson units [0.01mm thickness of ozone at standard P & T (0oC and 1 atm)] GEOLOGIC TIME • Earth is around 4.5 billion years old • Major subdivisions of geologic time – – – Cenozoic Era- youngest Mesozoic Era- middle (dinosaurs lived then) Paleozoic • • – Began around 545 million years ago Oldest abundant fossils PRECAMBRIAN- all time before Paleozoic Scientific Method • • • • • • Question raised or problem presented Data gathered Hypotheses proposed Predictions made Predictions tested hypothesis that withstands testing becomes a theory