Earth science Page issues Earth science or geoscience is a widely

embraced term for the fields of natural science related to the planet
Earth. It is the branch of science dealing with the physical constitution
of the earth and its atmosphere. Earth science is the study of our
planet’s physical characteristics, from earthquakes to raindrops, and
floods to fossils. Earth science 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. There are
both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences. It is also
the study of 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 study the impact of human
activity on Earth's environment, and design methods to protect the
planet. Some use their knowledge about Earth processes such as
volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes to plan communities that will
not expose people to these dangerous events. The Earth sciences
can include the study of geology, the lithosphere, and the large-scale
structure of the Earth's interior, as well as the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, and biosphere. Typically, Earth scientists use tools
from geography, chronology, physics, chemistry, biology, and
mathematics to build a quantitative understanding of how the Earth
works and evolves. Earth science affects our everyday lives. For
example, meteorologists study the weather and watch for dangerous
storms. Hydrologists study water and warn of floods. Seismologists
study earthquakes and try to predict where they will strike. Geologists
study rocks and help to locate useful minerals. Earth scientists
mainly work “in the field”—climbing mountains, exploring the seabed,
crawling through caves, or wading in swamps. They measure and
collect samples (such as rocks or river water), then they record their
findings on charts and maps.