Write a Detailed Essay on the Nature and Scope of Earth Science

INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCE(GEO211) SS/BSS/09/0103 KWAKU FRIMPONG MARFO WRITE A DETAILED ESSAY ON THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF EARTH SCIENCE. Earth Science is the name for all science that collectively seeks to understand the Earth and its neighbors in space. Some Earth scientists use their knowledge of the Earth to locate and develop energy and mineral resources. Others also study the impact of human activity on Earth’s environment and design methods to protect the planet.

Some also use their knowledge about Earth processes such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes to plan communities that will not expose people to these dangerous events. Earth science is also known as the Geosciences, the Geosciences or Earth sciences. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences. The formal discipline of Earth science may include the study of the atmosphere, oceans and biosphere as well as the solid earth.

Typically, Earth scientists will use tools from physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics to build a quantitative understanding of how the earth system works and how it evolved to its current state. Like all other scientists, Earth scientists apply the scientific method: Problem statement, Review literature, Formulate hypothesis after observation of and gathering data about natural phenomena and then test these hypotheses. Finally, there is the need for one to publish and explain the research in the scientific community.

It must however be pointed out that Earth science is inter-disciplined—it cuts across all sciences and study fields. Science in the broadest sense refers to any systematic methodology which attempts to collect accurate information about the shared reality and to model this in a way which can be used to make reliable, concrete and quantitative predictions about events in line with hypotheses proven by experiment. In a more restricted sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method, as well as to the organized body of knowledge gained through such research.

The scope of science, therefore, is knowledge through reason—and the scope of Earth science is knowledge of the Earth systems through the study of combined science. Knowledge is, therefore, borrowed from other disciplines such as Geology, which is the study of the earth surface(rocks) and interior; Astronomy, the study of the universe that the Erath is a part of; Meteorology, the study of the weather and Earth’s atmosphere and Oceanography, the study of the Earth’s oceans(the four Earth sciences). Geology is the primary Earth science.

Literarily, it means “the study of the Earth”. Geology deals with the composition of earth materials, earth structures and earth processes. It is also concerned with the organisms of the planet and how the planet has changed over time. Geologists search for fuels and minerals, study natural hazards and work to protect earth’s environment. Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and how processes in the atmosphere determine earth’s weather and climate. Since everyone is concerned about the weather, it can be considered very practical.

For instance, how climate changes over time in response to the actions of people is a topic of urgent worldwide concern. Oceanography is the study of the Earth’s oceans—their composition, movement, organisms and processes. The oceans cover a greater part of the planet. The oceans have a major influence on the weather and changes in the oceans can drive or moderate climate change. Oceanographers work to develop the ocean as a resource and protect it from negative human impact. Astronomy is the study of the universe.

Studying space beyond dearth is important since the moon derives the oceans’ tidal system, asteroids impacts have repeatedly devastated Earth’s inhabitants and energy from the sun drives our weather and climate. When talking about the nature and scope of Earth Science, it is also necessary to talk about its importance. Today, we live in a time when the Earth and its inhabitants face many challenges. Our climate is changing and that change is being caused by human activity. Earth scientists recognize this problem and will play a key role in efforts to resolve it.

Again, we are also challenged to develop new sources of energy that will have minimal negative impact on climate; locate new sources of metals and other mineral resources as known sources are depleted. In a nutshell, the scope of Earth science is knowledge of the earth systems through the study of combined science which also looks at data collection and research woks and the subject being inter-disciplined. References: 1. www. geology. com/body. htm 2. www. wcbp. com/geology/conte 3. Earth Science, An Integrated Perspective, Conte, Thompson and Moses

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