Earth Science Essay

360 Words2 Pages
Earth science (also known as geosciences, 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, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences. The formal discipline of Earth sciences may include the study of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, oceans and biosphere, as well as the solid earth. Typically Earth scientists will use tools from physics, chemistry, biology, chronology and mathematics to build a quantitative understanding of how the Earth system works, and how it evolved to its current state. The following fields of science are generally categorized within the geosciences: Geology describes the rocky parts of the Earth's crust (or lithosphere) and its historic development. Major sub disciplines are mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, paleontology, stratigraphy, structural geology, engineering geology and sedimentology. Physical geography covers the aspects of geomorphology, oceanography, climatology and biogeography. Geophysics and geodesy investigate the shape of the Earth, its reaction to forces and its magnetic and gravity fields. Geophysicists explore the Earth's core and mantle as well as the tectonic and seismic activity of the lithosphere. Soil science covers the outermost layer of the Earth's crust that is subject to soil formation processes (or pedosphere). Major subdisciplines include edaphology and pedology. Oceanography and hydrology (includes limnology) describe the marine and freshwater domains of the watery parts of the Earth (or hydrosphere). Major sub disciplines include hydrogeology and physical, chemical, and biological oceanography.[citation needed] Glaciology covers the icy parts of the Earth (or cryosphere). Atmospheric sciences
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