Earth science

Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical and chemical constitution of the Earth and its atmosphere. Earth science can be considered to be a branch of planetary science, but with a much older history. Earth science encompasses four main branches of study, the lithosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere, each of which is further broken down into more specialized fields.

Overview

Earth science is the study of our planet’s physical characteristics, from earthquakes to raindrops, and floods to fossils. It contains many branches and subdisciplines. Earth science can be thought of as a tree that has several large branches, each of which represents a major focus of study.

Branches of Earth Science

Geology

Geology is the study of the substances that make up the Earth, the processes that shape it, and of how these materials and processes have changed the Earth over time. Geology is divided into several fields, including mineralogy, petrology, and stratigraphy.

Meteorology

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and how processes in the atmosphere determine Earth's weather and climate. Meteorology includes the study of weather patterns, clouds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

Oceanography

Oceanography, or marine science, is the study of the ocean. It covers a wide range of topics, including marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; plate tectonics and the geology of the sea floor; and fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies. While not strictly an Earth science, it is closely related and often studied alongside the other branches.

See Also

• Environmental science
• Geophysics
• Soil Science
• Ecology
• Geodesy

References

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  Rocks
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  Layers of sedimentary rock in Makhtesh Ramon
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  Volcano
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  Magnetosphere rendition
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  Water cycle summary