Introduction to Earth Sciences

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Outline

Earth sciences defined

Topics in earth sciences

Learning approach

Assessments

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Earth Sciences

Earth Science is the study of the planet Earth and its

neighbors in space.

Earth science deals with many fascinating and practical

questions about our environment.

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Earth Sciences

Erath sciences answer the following questions:

What forces produce mountains?

Why is our daily weather so variable?

Is climate really changing?

How old is Earth, and how is it related to the other

planets in the solar system?

?????

To understand Earth is not an easy because our

planet is not a static and unchanging mass.

It is a dynamic body with many interacting parts

and along and complex history.

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Earth Sciences

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Aspects of the earth can be studied separately, but

they are intricately linked and interconnected.

Earth science is the study of the earth as a system

composed of numerous interacting parts, or

subsystems.

Earth science attempts to integrate the knowledge of

several academic fields.

Using this interdisciplinary approach is important in

understanding how different processes are connected

and this is important to comprehend and solve many

environmental problems.

Earth Science

As such earth sciences is a collection of sciences that

collectively seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in

space: geology, oceanography, meteorology, and

astronomy:

Geology – the earth: materials, structures, processes

Meteorology – atmospheric processes that affect weather &

climate

Astronomy – planetary & solar systems

Oceanography – oceans: composition, processes &

organisms

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Geology

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Meteorology

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Astronomy

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Oceanography

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Earth System

A system is “an identifiable, complex , dynamic entity

composed of discernibly different parts or subsystems that

are interrelated to and interdependent on each other and the

whole entity with an overall capability to maintain stability

and to adapt behaviour in response to external influences.”

The individual parts of a system are called components, and

these interact with each other as the system evolves with

time.

The earth is considered to be a complex planetary system

that has evolved over billions of years.

The earth has reservoirs, such as the crust, mantle, and

core and subsystems, such as the atmosphere,

hydrosphere, biosphere and the geosphere.

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The “Spheres”

Concept

•Biosphere

•Atmosphere

•Hydrosphere

•Geosphere

•CUTsphere?

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The changing face of the

Earth

The state of a system is characterized by a set of

variables at any time during the evolution of the

system.

Temperature, pressure, and various compositional

variables are most important for the functioning of

the earth as a system.

The same characteristics applies to subsystems

within the Earth (the spheres).

A system is at equilibrium when nothing changes

as it evolves.

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The changing Earth

If a system is perturbed by changing one or

more variables, it responds and adjusts to a

new equilibrium state.

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The changing face of

the Earth

A feedback loop is a self perpetuating change and

response in a system to a change (internal or

external).

If the response of a system amplifies the change, it

is known as a positive feedback loop.

If the response of the system diminishes or reverses

the effect of the disturbance, it is a negative

feedback loop.

System the earth as a system is important because

it brings a framework for seeing interrelationships

rather than things, for seeing patterns of change

rather than static 'snapshots

Geology •Minerals & rocks

•Plate Tectonics

Astronomy •Earth’s motions

•Solar system

•Deep space

•Earth History

•Evolution

•Earth’s coordinates

•Maps

•Ocean & Atmosphere

•The Water cycle

•Seasons

•Energy balance

Meteorology •Weather variables

•Weather systems

•Weather prediction

•How do humans affect these processes and systems?

•How are humans affected by these processes and systems? 2014:CUES111

The concept of scale

Scale is an important aspect of

earth science.

This is because we look at earth’s

features at various spatial and

temporal scales.

Spatial scale is the spread of

events and features over space:

how big is it (atom, mineral, rock,

Mountain….)

Temporal scale looks at how

features occur and vary over time

(in minutes, hours, days,

years…..)

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Why Earth Science?

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Why Earth Science?

Because we live on Earth!

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Why Earth Science?

Progression and comfort in our lives depend upon how we

understand and manage our planet because earth processes

affect us all, one way or the other, one day or the other, one

place or the other!

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Why Earth Science?

Humanity has potential to

affect earth process with

detriment on both

humanity and other

organisms

Action to prevent this

happening should be

based on knowledge.

Helps develop problem

solvers (Time/Scale)

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Why Earth Science?

Earth sciences

empower us to

think globally and

act locally

It is a multi-scale

approach to issues

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Why Earth Science?

Earth sciences

provide an integrated

and interdisciplinary

approach to an

understanding of our

planet

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Why Earth Science?

It feeds into

other

environmental

issues and

technologies as

key

background

knowledge

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EMS

Earth Science GIS

NRM

EIA

Climatology

Biodiversity

Remote Sensing

IWRM

Pollution Hydrogeology

Why Earth Science?

Earth science

topics are

exciting and

practical -

direct link from

theory to

practical

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Why Earth Science?

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The relationship between

people and the natural

environment is an

important focus of Earth

sciences.

This includes natural

hazards, resources, and

human influences on

Earth processes

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Assessments

2 individual assignments

2 tests

Final examination

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Meda wo ase paa paa paa

Twi ( Southern Ghana)

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