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Earth Science Sec. 1.1 Introduction to Earth Science and systems Systems and Cycles and Spheres “Oh my” Questions Earth Science Tries to Answer? • What forces produce mountains? • Why is our daily weather so terrible? • How old is our earth and how is it related to the other planets in the solar system? • When will be the next big earthquake? • What the caused of the Ice age and are we done with them? • Can a successful well be located at this site? Who do you think tries to answer these questions about Earth Science? • • • • • Will Mt. St. Helens erupt soon? How can we better forecast hurricanes? Will a meteor hit Earth? When will the next big earthquake hit? Are the melting icecaps affecting the ocean currents? • Can an oil well be located at this site? Answers • • • • • • Volcanologist Meteorologist Astronomer Seismologist Oceanographer Petroleum Geologist What exactly is Earth Science? • All sciences that collectively seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in Space. – Including • • • • Geology Oceanography Meteorology Astronomy Geology • Means “study of Earth” • Types – Physical • Examines materials composing the earth • Process that operate beneath and upon its surfaces – Historical • Understand the origin of the earth • Understand the development of the planet Oceanography • Integrates Chemistry, physics, geology and Biology • Studies: – – – – Composition and movements of seawater Coastal processes Seafloor Topography Marine Life Meteorology • Not the study of meteors! • Study of: • Layers of the atmosphere – Processes that produce weather and climate Astronomy • Not about your horoscope! • Study of the universe. • Not specifically covered in this class. • We have a separate course devoted solely to this topic. The Earth as a “System” • Everyday systems: – – – – – Car’s cooling system Transportation system Political system Weather system Solar system • Definition – Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole unit Earth Science • Newer Concept (turn of the century) • Study of ALL the different disciplines put together • Interconnectedness, interdependence Types of Systems Closed system and Open System Closed system • Self contained. MATTER stays in. • Energy moves freely in and out • Example: Open System • • • • Matter and energy move in and out freely More complicated Very common in nature Example: river Open or closed system? Open or closed system? Type of System? Type of System? Type of System? Type of System? Type of system? Earth: open or closed system? Sec. 1.2 Earth’s Four Spheres • • • • Hydrosphere Atmosphere Solid Earth Biosphere The Earth’s spheres are all connected Hydrosphere • All the water – – – – Lakes, rivers Oceans Glaciers Aquifers Of the hydrosphere…. • Oceans (salt water) 97.5% • Fresh water (drinkable) – Frozen /ice (glaciers) – Ground water (aquifers) – Rivers / lakes – Atmosphere 2.5% Atmosphere • Gaseous envelope around earth – Half of it below 3.5 miles (5.6 meters) – 90% occurs within 10 miles (16 km) of the surface Purpose – Light (Radiation) protection – Energy exchange – Breathing Geosphere • Also known as solid* Earth • 3 basic Parts - Core • Dense center - Mantle - Less dense solid/liquid* – Crust • Thin outer crust Earths’ crust or lithosphere consists of.. • Continents – Ave. elevation 2750 feet above sea level (840 m) • Ocean floor – Ave. depth 12,500 feet (3800 m) Continents stand nearly 3 miles above the sea floor (4640 m) Biosphere • All living things on the planet. • The other 3 spheres made biosphere possible! • Examples: – everything from single-cell protozoa to giant redwoods to humans. • Humans are changing the other 3 spheres! Earth System • Closed or Open? Select one picture describe how all four of earth’s spheres interact. What we know so far…. • Earth is a ________system because matter cannot freely flow in and out yet ________ can. • The Earth has 4 interconnected spheres: ________ __________ ______ ________ • Models are used to represent or show processes. Sec. 1.3 Cycles of the Earth • A sequence of repeating events – Duration varies • Slow: repeat over a long period • of time – millions of years • Fast: repeat in a short amount of time Types of Cycles • Water • Carbon • Energy Hydrologic Cycle • The continuous circulation (recycling) of water • Water in all three phases – Solid ice, liquid water, gaseous water vapor. Hydrologic Cycle • Water enters the atmosphere by – evaporation (from oceans and lakes) – evaporation from soil, surfaces – transpiration (from plants) also called evapo-transpiration. • Water leaves the atmosphere as - precipitation from clouds (rain, snow) - infiltration (into ground) - run-off into oceans - condensation (dew) Hydrologic Cycle Carbon Cycle • • • • • The 6th element: Carbon (C) “building block of life” Carbon is part of the Biogeochemical cycle Carbon is in the earth in many forms Carbon take various amounts of time to cycle through Carbon is in many forms: SOLID LIQUID GAS • Carbon goes into the atmosphere: - burning fossil fuels - exhaling (respiration) - decomposing organic matter - volcanic eruptions • Carbon goes out of the atmosphere: - stored in organic (living) matter - Photosynthesis (plants take it in) - Dissolves into oceans Energy Cycle (non-recyclable) • Movement of energy • Sources –Sun – Geothermal – Tidal The Earth’s # 1 source of energy is... The Sun! • Solar energy • 99.985% Geothermal • Heat from within the Earth • 0.013% Geothermal Tidal Energy • Moon pulls on the Earth’s oceans creating tides • 0.002% Human activity and the cycles • Any human activity changes the cycles, both positively and negatively.