EARTH SCIENCE

What is Earth science? 

Earth science is the study of planet Earth. It covers all aspects of the planet from the deep inner core to the outer layers of the atmosphere. There are many fields of science that are part of Earth science including geology (rocks and minerals), palaeontology (dinosaurs and fossils), meteorology (atmosphere and the weather), and oceanography just to name a few. 

The study of the Earth is often divided into different "spheres" of the Earth including the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

• Atmosphere - The atmosphere is the air around the Earth made up of different gasses (mostly nitrogen and oxygen). The atmosphere forms a protective layer around Earth, keeping the planet warm and protecting it from the Sun's radiation. The study of the atmosphere is called meteorology and includes the weather.

• Biosphere - The biosphere is the region of Earth where life exists. It includes all the biomes and ecosystems around the planet.

• Hydrosphere - The hydrosphere is the area of Earth covered by water including the oceans, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. Around 75% of the Earth's surface is covered by the ocean. The study of the ocean is called oceanography.

• Lithosphere - The lithosphere is the outer layer of the Earth. It includes the Earth's crust and part of the mantle. The lithosphere is broken up into giant sections called tectonic plates. Geologists study the lithosphere including rocks, minerals, and the history of Earth.