Earth System Science
How is Earth a system?
Understanding the System


Many different
parts working
together to make
a whole.
Ex. A car engine
Forming the Earth


Q.) How did the Solar
System form?
A.) From a large
rotating solar nebula
made up of hydrogen
(H) and helium (He).
Layers on Earth


Iron (Fe) and
Nickel (Ni) sunk to
the center of the
Earth.
Lighter materials
floated outward =
formation of
atmosphere and
oceans.
Earth’s System

Powered by 2 sources:
1. Sun – powers external
processes (atmosphere,
hydrosphere, surface)
2. Core– powers internal
processes (volcanoes,
earthquakes, mountain
formation)
People and the Environment
Q.) How do people
influence natural
processes?
A.) By building,
cutting down
forests,
agriculture, etc.
Resources

2 types:
1.) Renewable –
replenished over
short time
2.) Nonrenewable –
take
millions/billions of
years to form
Population
Q.) How will our
basic resources
last with an
increase in
population every
year?
A.) No one knows!
Environmental Problems

Major Threats are:






Air Pollution
Acid Rain
Ozone Depletion
Global Warming
Lack of Fertile Soil
And more!
4 Major Spheres
1. Hydrosphere –
2. Atmosphere –
3. Geosphere -
What Connects Them All?
4. Biosphere -
Hydrosphere

Makes our planet
special!
What is the water
cycle?
http://www.teachertube.
com/viewVideo.php?vi
deo_id=7708


Amounts of Water:


97% Ocean
3% Freshwater
Atmosphere

Keeps life going!

What does it do?

Why is it
important?
Geosphere

3 parts:




Core
Mantle
Crust
Different layers
because of the
composition.
Biosphere


Involves all life
from the ocean
floor to the
atmosphere.
Do we change the
environment we
live in?
Plate Tectonics

How the Earth
moves!

7 different plates

2 different forces:


Destructive
Constructive
Earth’s Surface
Reading the Maps

Use two things:
1. Latitude:
2. Longitude:
Projection Maps

Two types:
1.) Mercator – the
directions were
accurate
2.) RobinsonDistance, shape,
size are accurate
Topographic Maps


Shows the Earth in
3-D in a 2-D way
They show
elevation with
contour lines.
Contour Lines


Contour Interval –
the difference in
elevation between
adjacent lines.
Close lines
- steep slope

Far Apart
- gentle slope

Circle
- hill
Scale



What is it?
What map makers use to show the
distance on the map in relation to
the Earth.
Ex. 1: 24,000
Geologic Maps


Shows the type
and age of the
rocks that are
exposed.
The same rocks
are the same color
and/or pattern.
Advanced Technology



We are now able
to analyze Earth’s
physical properties
more precisely.
Remote Sensing –
using satellites to
map the Earth
GPS
Scientific Method
What is it?
The process that
all scientists
follow to explore
a question.
It is the same for
everyone and
allows for
consistency.
The Method
Identify the Problem
Create a Hypothesis
Identify Variables
Collect Data
Analyze the Data
Communicate the Results