Key Branches of Earth Science:

Geology:

• The study of the Earth's solid and liquid composition, including its structure, processes, and history. This includes the study of rocks, minerals, and the forces that shape the Earth's surface.

Meteorology:

• The study of the Earth's atmosphere and weather patterns. This includes understanding atmospheric processes, weather forecasting, and Climate Change.

Oceanography:

• The study of the Earth's oceans, including their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. This includes studying ocean currents, marine life, and the interaction between oceans and the atmosphere.

Environmental Science:

• This field focuses on the interactions between humans and the environment, including the impact of human activities on Earth's systems.

Climate Science:

• Climate Science is the study of Earth's climate system, encompassing its physical, chemical, and biological components, and how they interact over time. It investigates both natural and human-induced changes in climate, ranging from seasonal variations to long-term shifts over centuries and geological timescales.

Astronomy:

• While not exclusive to Earth, astronomy uses the principles of Earth science to study the solar system, galaxy, and universe. It helps understand Earth's place within the broader cosmos.

Space Weather:

• Space weather refers to the conditions in space, primarily in the Heliosphere, that can affect Earth and its technologies. It's driven by activity on the Sun, like Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), which release radiation and charged particles. These disturbances can impact satellites, communication systems, power grids, and even cause auroras.

Importance of Earth Science:

Earth science is crucial for understanding natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, and for managing natural resources like water, minerals, and energy. It also plays a vital role in understanding climate change and its impact on the planet. By studying Earth's past, we can better predict and prepare for future changes.

Earth Science Questions

HubBucket’s strategic objective for Earth science is to advance knowledge of Earth as a system in order to meet the challenges of environmental change and to improve life on our planet.

The Earth Science Division (ESD) programs address this objective by asking the following key science questions:

• How is the global Earth system changing?
• What causes these changes in the Earth system?
• How will the Earth system change in the future?
• How can Earth system science provide societal benefit?

These science questions translate into six focus areas to guide the Earth Science Division’s selection of investigations and other programmatic decisions:

Atmospheric Composition (AC) conducts research on Earth’s atmosphere, including its chemical and physical properties, Earth’s energy budget, and air quality.

Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics (WAD) researches the dynamics of the atmosphere to improve our understanding of the fundamental processes that drive weather.

Climate Variability and Change (CVC) measures and models Earth’s dynamic systems and how they change over time.

Water and Energy Cycle (WEC) supports focused and crosscutting research to improve our understanding of the global water cycle.

Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems (CCE) detects, explains, and predicts changes in Earth’s ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity, and land cover.

Earth Surface and Interior (ESI) supports research and analysis of solid-Earth processes from crust to core.