This is earth science essay
Earth sciences can include the study of geology, the lithosphere, and the large-scale structure of Earth's
interior, as well as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Typically, Earth scientists use tools from
geology, chronology, physics, chemistry, geography, biology, and mathematics to build a quantitative
understanding of how Earth works and evolves. For example, meteorologists study the weather and
watch for dangerous storms. Hydrologists examine water and warn of floods. Seismologists study
earthquakes and try to understand where they will strike. Geologists study rocks and help to locate
useful minerals. Earth scientists often work in the field—perhaps climbing mountains, exploring the
seabed, crawling through caves, or wading in swamps. They measure and collect samples (such as rocks
or river water), then record their findings on charts and maps.
Geology is the study of the lithosphere, or Earth's surface, including the crust and rocks. It includes the
physical characteristics and processes that occur in the lithosphere as well as how they are affected by
geothermal energy. It incorporates aspects of chemistry, physics, and biology as elements of geology
interact. Historical geology is the application of geology to interpret Earth history and how it has changed
over time. Geochemistry studies the chemical components and processes of the Earth. Geophysics
studies the physical properties of the Earth. Paleontology studies fossilized biological material in the
lithosphere. Planetary geology studies geology as it pertains to extraterrestrial bodies. Geomorphology
studies the origin of landscapes. Structural geology studies the deformation of rocks to produce
mountains and lowlands. Resource geology studies how energy resources can be obtained from
minerals. Environmental geology studies how pollution and contaminants affect soil and rock.[2]
Mineralogy is the study of minerals. It includes the study of mineral formation, crystal structure, hazards
associated with minerals, and the physical and chemical properties of minerals.[3] Petrology is the study
of rocks, including the formation and composition of rocks. Petrography is a branch of petrology that
studies the typology and classification of rocks
Plate tectonics, mountain ranges, volcanoes, and earthquakes are geological phenomena that can be
explained in terms of physical and chemical processes in the Earth's crust.[6] Beneath the Earth's crust
lies the mantle which is heated by the radioactive decay of heavy elements. The mantle is not quite solid
and consists of magma which is in a state of semi-perpetual convection. This convection process causes
the lithospheric plates to move, albeit slowly. The resulting process is known as plate
tectonics.[7][8][9][10] Areas of the crust where new crust is created are called divergent boundaries,
those where it is brought back into the Earth are convergent boundaries and those where plates slide
past each other, but no new lithospheric material is created or destroyed, are referred to as transform
(or conservative) boundaries[8][10][11] Earthquakes result from the movement of the lithospheric
plates, and they often occur near convergent boundaries where parts of the crust are forced into the
earth as part of subduction.Plate tectonics might be thought of as the process by which the Earth is
resurfaced. As the result of seafloor spreading, new crust and lithosphere is created by the flow of
magma from the mantle to the near surface, through fissures, where it cools and solidifies. Through
subduction, oceanic crust and lithosphere returns to the convecting mantle.[8][10][13] Volcanoes result
primarily from the melting of subducted crust material. Crust material that is forced into the
asthenosphere melts, and some portion of the melted material becomes light enough to rise to the
surface—giving birth to volcanoes