Chapter 1 Introduction to Earth Science Summary 1.1 What Is Earth Science? Earth science is the name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space. • Geology means “study of Earth.” Geology is divided into physical geology and historical geology. • Oceanography is the study of the Earth’s oceans, as well as coastal processes, seafloor topography, and marine life. • Meteorology is the study of atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate. • Astronomy is the study of the universe. The nebular hypothesis suggests that the bodies of our solar system evolved from an enormous rotating cloud called the solar nebula. It was made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, with a small percentage of heavier elements. • Shortly after the Earth formed, melting occurred in the Earth’s interior. Gravity caused denser elements to sink to Earth’s center. Less dense elements floated toward the surface. As a result, Earth is made up of layers of materials that have different properties. 1.2 A View of Earth Earth can be thought of as consisting of four major spheres: the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. • The hydrosphere is the water portion of Earth. • The atmosphere is an envelope of gases that surrounds Earth. • The geosphere is the layer of Earth under both the atmosphere and the oceans. It includes the core, the mantle, and the crust. • The biosphere is made up of all life on Earth. Because the geosphere is not uniform, it is divided into three main parts

Earth Science

A group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.

Geology

The study of Earth, divided into physical geology and historical geology.

Oceanography

The study of Earth's oceans, coastal processes, seafloor topography, and marine life.

Meteorology

The study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate.

Astronomy

The study of the universe.

Nebular Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that the solar system evolved from a rotating cloud called the solar nebula, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.

Earth's Formation

The process where denser elements sank to Earth's center and less dense elements floated to the surface, resulting in layered materials.

Hydrosphere

The water portion of Earth.

Atmosphere

The envelope of gases that surrounds Earth.

Geosphere

The layer of Earth beneath the atmosphere and oceans, including the core, mantle, and crust.

Biosphere

The part of Earth that includes all life forms.

Geosphere Layers

The geosphere is not uniform and is divided into three main parts.