Earth science or Geoscience is an all-embracing term for the fields of science

related to the planet Earth. It can be considered to be a branch of planetary science,

but with a much older history. Earth science is a broad term that encompasses
four main branches of study, each of which is further broken down into more
specialized fields.

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 very important as everything we do depends on our relationship to
the planet we live on.
Two important subfields of geology are vulcanology (the study of volcanoes), and
seismology (the study of earthquakes). Understanding these processes can help
enable us to predict and mitigate the effects of natural disasters such as volcanic
eruptions, major quakes, tsunamis and landslides. Geologists are also at the
forefront of the quest for natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and other raw
materials.
Hydrologists study the availability and distribution of the Earths freshwater
resources including both surface water and aquifers. Physical geography is the
study of the Earths landforms. Paleontologists are interested in Earths history.
Geologists may work for industry, government agencies, universities or other
settings. Most geologists do field work at least part of the time.

Meteorology is the study of Earths atmosphere and how changes in temperature,

air pressure, humidity and winds affect the weather. Perhaps more than any other
science, meteorology is concerned with using data to make predictions of future
events.
Broadcast meteorologists are probably the most familiar; men and women who
interpret and report weather data on television or radio to inform the public and
protect us when severe weather threatens. Forensic meteorologists often work for
lawyers or insurance agencies. Their job is to determine how weather conditions
may have contributed to accidents or caused damage to property.
Climatologists study the large-scale weather patterns for a given region over long
periods of time. Meteorologists and climatologists work closely with other scientists
to determine the possible effects of global climate change and whether human
activities are affecting global temperatures.

Oceanography, or marine science, is the interdisciplinary study of the sea.

Oceanographers may study currents, storms or waves. Oceanographers may use
sophisticated technology to map the ocean floor or evaluate whether movement of
subsea tectonic plates might cause rifting and tsunami waves. Oceanographers are
frequently biologists who seek to understand and protect marine ecosystems.
It is said that we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the
oceans of our own world. Earth has more oceans than land environments, and the
seas may hold the keys to energy and food resources. We desperately need more
information to protect the oceans while we are using them for our own survival.
Oceanographers may work for governments, for the fishing or energy industries, or
shipping concerns. Most oceanographers travel a lot and should enjoy working on
the water.

Astronomy is the study of Earths neighbors in the solar system and beyond. Optical
astronomy is direct observation of the visible universe using a variety of telescopes
and visual probes such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Radio astronomy can detect
radiation from wavelengths well beyond the visible spectrum, but they must also
have enormous dishes to collect the radio waves. In the past these size limitations
made the enormous radio telescopes cumbersome and difficult to aim. Today with
the modern ability to link radio telescopes almost instantly by using computer
technology, there are many more applications for this science. Astronomers are
making discoveries about the size, composition, energy and evolution of distant
stars and galaxies.
Planetologists study the planets of our solar system and beyond. Space probes send
photos and data from distant systems. In our own solar system the robot probe
Curiosity crawls the surface of Mars to analyze soil samples and transmit data to
Earth. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin of the universe. Most
astronomers work for government space agencies or universities.

Everything in the world around us is built upon the Earth, grows on the Earth, or
depends on the environment of the Earth in some way. Welcome to this world. Much
of human history has been influenced directly or indirectly by earth science. Today
as much as ever, major opportunities and problems are tied to Earth and to our
understanding of it.

Earth is a living thing. It changes its shape without a break.

Earth Scientists make many beneficial contributions to society, by:

understanding climate change and its dramatic consequences

monitoring geohazards and predicting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
discovering and managing the worlds resources: hydrocarbons and precious
minerals
managing groundwater and ensuring pollution-free water supplies
planning for environmental sustainability e.g. carbon capture and storage
investigating the strength of bedrock, to support roads, dams, power stations
and tunnels
Our country, and indeed the whole world, is facing some serious problems. Many of
these problems are in the realm of our interactions with our planet. With a population of
seven billion people that is doubling every 30 or 40 years, we now consume well more than
a planets worth of resources, in fact, we have for decades. By current estimates, were
probably at about a planet and a halfs worth of resources, so were borrowing against a
very limited supply.

Humans are by far the largest geologic force on our planet. We use 40% of the planets
surface to raise or grow our food alone. The number of animals, and that includes fish,
mammals, reptiles, birds, whatever, is half the number now than it was 40 years ago, which
is staggering... And yet most people have no sense of the power that humans now have on
our planet. Dr. Michael Wysession