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There are commonly three ‘spheres’ in the earth sciences. Atmosphere (from the Greek root ‘atmos’ meaning ‘vapor’ <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=944 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>and ‘sphaira’, meaning ‘sphere’ <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=801 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>), lithosphere (Greek -’lithos’ rock or ‘stone <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=719 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>) and hydrosphere (Greek – ‘hydros,’ meaning ‘water’ <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=967 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>)  corresponding, respectively, to the gas, the solid ground and the water of the earth. There are other ‘spheres’ as well. The pedosphere (Greek ‘pedon’<ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=791 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref> meaning ‘soil’) refers to the outerlayer of the lithosphere. It interacts directly with the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. The study of the glaciology, involves the glacial layer or cryosphere (Greek root ‘kryos’ or frost, ice<ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=347 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>)
There are commonly three ‘spheres’ in the earth sciences. Atmosphere (from the Greek root ‘atmos’ meaning ‘vapor’ <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=944 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>and ‘sphaira’, meaning ‘sphere’ <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=801 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>), lithosphere (Greek -’lithos’ rock or ‘stone <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=719 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>) and hydrosphere (Greek – ‘hydros,’ meaning ‘water’ <ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=967 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>)  corresponding, respectively, to the gas, the solid ground and the water of the earth. There are other ‘spheres’ as well. The pedosphere (Greek ‘pedon’<ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=791 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref> meaning ‘soil’) refers to the outerlayer of the lithosphere. It interacts directly with the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. The study of the glaciology, involves the glacial layer or cryosphere (Greek root ‘kryos’ or frost, ice<ref>[http://colet.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/chuck/woodhouse_pages.pl?page_num=347 Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary] The University of Chicago Library</ref>)


==Disciplines and Sub-disciplines==
='''Disciplines and Sub-disciplines'''=
There are a large number of subdisciplines and related disciplines that involve overlapping fields of study<ref> See for example [http://www.amonline.net.au/geoscience/about/branches.htm Branches of geoscience] Australian Museum of Geosciences</ref>. A perusal of university majors and journal topics demonstrates the fundamental characteristic of earth science, although the geosciences is basically about the non-living aspects of the earth<ref>[http://www.amonline.net.au/geoscience/about/index.htm What is geoscience?] Australian Museum of Geosciences</ref>, its interaction with the living past and present is also a very large area of study.
===Geology===
===Geology===
{{main|geology}}
{{main|geology}}
====Soil science====
===Astrogeology/ ===
====Geochemistry====
The study of the geology of other planets and extraterrestrial materials it is concerned with the geology (the surface as well as interior processes) of all solid bodies in the solar system, , including the major planets and their satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteorites.<ref>[ http://marswatch.tn.cornell.edu/rsm.html  Planetary geology] Manual of Remote Sensing. Department of Astronomy, Cornell University</ref.<ref>“Astrogeology” Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> Astrogeology is synonymous with ‘exogeology’ and ‘planetary geology.’ Astrogeology utilises geological studies on Earth and incorporates remote sensing of planetary bodies to study such geological process as volcanism, floods, cratering, tectonics, and sand movement.<ref>[ http://www.nasm.si.edu/ceps/about.cfm Center for Earth and Planetary Studies] National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian</ref>
====Geophysics====
===Crystallography and Mineralogy===
====Geomorphology====
The study of crystals and minerals.
====Physical geography====
===Economic geology===
====Mineralogy====  
the study of ore deposits.
====Glaciology====  
===Engineering geology===
====Vulcanology====
the study of the geological characteristics of sites where engineering operations are going to be carried out.
===Oceanography===  
===Environmental geology/geosciences===
====Limnology====  
the study of how geological processes affect the environment.
===Hydrology===
===Exploration geology===
====Hydrogeology====
the search for new mineral deposits.
===Atmospheric sciences===
===Field Geology===
====Meteorology====
===Geochemistry===
====Climatology====
the study of the chemistry of the Earth.
====Paleoclimatology====
===Geochronology===
the study of dating geological events.
===Gemmology===
the study of gemstones.
===Geological Heritage===
The study of conservation of geologically important sites.
===Geomagnetism===
===Geomorphology===
The study of landforms. Fluvial geomorphology, for example, studies how human use impacts natural settings in a watershed and determines the shape of river channels. Fluvial geomorphology attempts to predict what physical changes will occur to a water channel in response to alterations in watershed conditions; and how changes will impact human infrastructure and fish habitat.<ref>[http://www.field-geology.com/ What is Fluvial Geomorphology?] Field Geology Services</ref>
===Geophysics===  
the study of the physical properties of the Earth.
===Glaciology===
The study of glaciers, their formation, movement and environmental impact
===Hydrogeology===
the study of the movement of water through the Earth.
===Mining geology===
the study of the geology of a mine site.
===Petroleum geology and Coal geology===
the study of ancient organic deposits (fossil fuels).
===Physical geography===
The study of the geology of other planets and extraterrestrial materials.
===Palaeogeography===
The study of ancient landforms
===Palaeomagnetism===
the study of past magnetic fields of the Earth.
===Petrology===
the study of rocks (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary)
===Sedimentary geology===
===Sedimentology & Stratigraphy===
===Seismology===
the study of how waves move through the Earth, including earthquakes.
===Structural geology===
the study of geological structures.
===Tectonics/Structural geology===
the study of the major structural features of the Earth or the broad structure of a region.
===Soil science===  
===Vulcanology===
the study of volcanoes.
 
=='''Oceanography'''==  
The study of the earth’s oceans.
===Limnology===
 
==Hydrology==
The interdisciplinary study of the movement, characteristics and distribution of water, surface-water (fresh water and salt water), groundwater, and water-quality <ref>[ http://www.aihydro.org/ American Institute of Hydrology]</ref><ref>[http://www.hydrology.org.uk/ British Hydrological Society]</ref> Subdisciplines include:
*Chemical hydrology: the study of the chemical characteristics of water. Also called  hydrochemistry,  chemical hydrology deals with the chemical characteristics of the surface water (freshwater and marine) and subterranean water. Water is a chemical solvent and, interacting chemically with materials with which it comes into contact, can dissolve many elements.
drainage basin management hydrology.
*Ecohydrology (the study of interactions between organisms and the hydrologic cycle.
*Engineering Hydrology
*Global hydrology
*Groundwater Hydrology
*Hydrobiology
*Hydrogeology is the study of the presence and movement of water in aquifers.
*Hydroinformatics is the adaptation of information technology to hydrology and water resources applications.
*Hydrometeorology is the study of the transfer of water and energy between land and water body surfaces and the lower atmosphere.
*Isotope hydrology is the study of the isotopic signatures of water.
*Operational Hydrology
*Qualitative Hydrology
*Sedimentology
*Surface hydrology is the study of hydrologic processes that operate at or near the Earth's surface.
*Water resources development and management
 
<ref>[http://www.cig.ensmp.fr/~hubert/glu/HINDENT.HTM International Glossary of hydsrology]</ref><ref>[http://water.usgs.gov/ Water resources of the United States] USGA</ref><ref>[ http://www.eawag.ch/forschung/index_EN Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology]</ref><ref>[http://hydram.epfl.ch/VICAIRE/ Virtual campus in hydrology and water resources management] A cooperative of Institute of Soil and Water resources Management (Hydrology and Land Improvement Laboratory) EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland; Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania (TUCEB); University Timisoara, Faculty of Hydrotechnics, Romania; Technical University "Gheorghe Asachi" of Iasi (T.U.I.), Romania; Sophia University "St Kliment Ohridski", Geology and Geography Faculty ; National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology ; Institute of Water Problems, Bulgaria; Kharkiv State Technical University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (KSTUCA), Ukrainia; Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Ecological Problems (USRIEP), Ukrainia; Technical University of Moldova, Faculty of Urban Engineering and Architecture, Chisinau, Moldova</ref>
 
=='''Atmospheric sciences'''==
===Meteorology===
===Climatology===
===Paleoclimatology<ref> Spelling of ‘paleo-‘ is commonly ‘palaeo-‘ in Common Wealth countries, e.g. Australia, the UK etc</ref>===
the study of ancient climates.
=Interdisciplinary divisions==
===Geoarcheology===
===Geomicrobiology===
Studies microbes and their interactions in geologic systems
===Paleobotany===
the study of ancient plant life. Paleontology may be divided further into vertebrate, invertebrate and micropaleontology
===Paleoecology===
the study of ancient environments.
===Paleontology===
the study of ancient life forms.
===Palynology===
the study of ancient spores and pollens.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:56, 11 April 2007

Earth science refers to those sciences that deal with the study of the earth and its components or parts. A common synonym for earth science is geoscience. Earth science includes those fields that study the firmament (the lithosphere or ground that makes up the land and the ocean floor), the waters (the hydrosphere which includes the oceans, the seas, rivers, lakes and so forth), and the atmosphere itself, the air around us.

Each aspect of these domains may be divided even further into separate but interrelated disciplines of study. Geology which encompasses the lithosphere includes vulcanology (the study of volcanoes), hydrology (the study of water through the atmosphere, surface, subsurface and oceans) mineralogy (the study of the composition of the geosphere, specifically the mineral composition of the geosphere), and geomorphology (the study of the forces that shape the geosphere and their different forms).

Regions of study

There are commonly three ‘spheres’ in the earth sciences. Atmosphere (from the Greek root ‘atmos’ meaning ‘vapor’ [1]and ‘sphaira’, meaning ‘sphere’ [2]), lithosphere (Greek -’lithos’ rock or ‘stone [3]) and hydrosphere (Greek – ‘hydros,’ meaning ‘water’ [4]) corresponding, respectively, to the gas, the solid ground and the water of the earth. There are other ‘spheres’ as well. The pedosphere (Greek ‘pedon’[5] meaning ‘soil’) refers to the outerlayer of the lithosphere. It interacts directly with the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. The study of the glaciology, involves the glacial layer or cryosphere (Greek root ‘kryos’ or frost, ice[6])

Disciplines and Sub-disciplines

There are a large number of subdisciplines and related disciplines that involve overlapping fields of study[7]. A perusal of university majors and journal topics demonstrates the fundamental characteristic of earth science, although the geosciences is basically about the non-living aspects of the earth[8], its interaction with the living past and present is also a very large area of study.

Geology

For more information, see: geology.

Astrogeology/

The study of the geology of other planets and extraterrestrial materials it is concerned with the geology (the surface as well as interior processes) of all solid bodies in the solar system, , including the major planets and their satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteorites.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag Astrogeology is synonymous with ‘exogeology’ and ‘planetary geology.’ Astrogeology utilises geological studies on Earth and incorporates remote sensing of planetary bodies to study such geological process as volcanism, floods, cratering, tectonics, and sand movement.[9]

Crystallography and Mineralogy

The study of crystals and minerals.

Economic geology

the study of ore deposits.

Engineering geology

the study of the geological characteristics of sites where engineering operations are going to be carried out.

Environmental geology/geosciences

the study of how geological processes affect the environment.

Exploration geology

the search for new mineral deposits.

Field Geology

Geochemistry

the study of the chemistry of the Earth.

Geochronology

the study of dating geological events.

Gemmology

the study of gemstones.

Geological Heritage

The study of conservation of geologically important sites.

Geomagnetism

Geomorphology

The study of landforms. Fluvial geomorphology, for example, studies how human use impacts natural settings in a watershed and determines the shape of river channels. Fluvial geomorphology attempts to predict what physical changes will occur to a water channel in response to alterations in watershed conditions; and how changes will impact human infrastructure and fish habitat.[10]

Geophysics

the study of the physical properties of the Earth.

Glaciology

The study of glaciers, their formation, movement and environmental impact

Hydrogeology

the study of the movement of water through the Earth.

Mining geology

the study of the geology of a mine site.

Petroleum geology and Coal geology

the study of ancient organic deposits (fossil fuels).

Physical geography

The study of the geology of other planets and extraterrestrial materials.

Palaeogeography

The study of ancient landforms

Palaeomagnetism

the study of past magnetic fields of the Earth.

Petrology

the study of rocks (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary)

Sedimentary geology

Sedimentology & Stratigraphy

Seismology

the study of how waves move through the Earth, including earthquakes.

Structural geology

the study of geological structures.

Tectonics/Structural geology

the study of the major structural features of the Earth or the broad structure of a region.

Soil science

Vulcanology

the study of volcanoes.

Oceanography

The study of the earth’s oceans.

Limnology

Hydrology

The interdisciplinary study of the movement, characteristics and distribution of water, surface-water (fresh water and salt water), groundwater, and water-quality [11][12] Subdisciplines include:

  • Chemical hydrology: the study of the chemical characteristics of water. Also called hydrochemistry, chemical hydrology deals with the chemical characteristics of the surface water (freshwater and marine) and subterranean water. Water is a chemical solvent and, interacting chemically with materials with which it comes into contact, can dissolve many elements.

drainage basin management hydrology.

  • Ecohydrology (the study of interactions between organisms and the hydrologic cycle.
  • Engineering Hydrology
  • Global hydrology
  • Groundwater Hydrology
  • Hydrobiology
  • Hydrogeology is the study of the presence and movement of water in aquifers.
  • Hydroinformatics is the adaptation of information technology to hydrology and water resources applications.
  • Hydrometeorology is the study of the transfer of water and energy between land and water body surfaces and the lower atmosphere.
  • Isotope hydrology is the study of the isotopic signatures of water.
  • Operational Hydrology
  • Qualitative Hydrology
  • Sedimentology
  • Surface hydrology is the study of hydrologic processes that operate at or near the Earth's surface.
  • Water resources development and management

[13][14][15][16]

Atmospheric sciences

Meteorology

Climatology

Paleoclimatology[17]

the study of ancient climates.

Interdisciplinary divisions=

Geoarcheology

Geomicrobiology

Studies microbes and their interactions in geologic systems

Paleobotany

the study of ancient plant life. Paleontology may be divided further into vertebrate, invertebrate and micropaleontology

Paleoecology

the study of ancient environments.

Paleontology

the study of ancient life forms.

Palynology

the study of ancient spores and pollens.

References

  1. ↑ Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary The University of Chicago Library
  2. ↑ Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary The University of Chicago Library
  3. ↑ Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary The University of Chicago Library
  4. ↑ Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary The University of Chicago Library
  5. ↑ Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary The University of Chicago Library
  6. ↑ Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary The University of Chicago Library
  7. ↑ See for example Branches of geoscience Australian Museum of Geosciences
  8. ↑ What is geoscience? Australian Museum of Geosciences
  9. ↑ [ http://www.nasm.si.edu/ceps/about.cfm Center for Earth and Planetary Studies] National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian
  10. ↑ What is Fluvial Geomorphology? Field Geology Services
  11. ↑ [ http://www.aihydro.org/ American Institute of Hydrology]
  12. ↑ British Hydrological Society
  13. ↑ International Glossary of hydsrology
  14. ↑ Water resources of the United States USGA
  15. ↑ [ http://www.eawag.ch/forschung/index_EN Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology]
  16. ↑ Virtual campus in hydrology and water resources management A cooperative of Institute of Soil and Water resources Management (Hydrology and Land Improvement Laboratory) EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland; Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania (TUCEB); University Timisoara, Faculty of Hydrotechnics, Romania; Technical University "Gheorghe Asachi" of Iasi (T.U.I.), Romania; Sophia University "St Kliment Ohridski", Geology and Geography Faculty ; National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology ; Institute of Water Problems, Bulgaria; Kharkiv State Technical University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (KSTUCA), Ukrainia; Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Ecological Problems (USRIEP), Ukrainia; Technical University of Moldova, Faculty of Urban Engineering and Architecture, Chisinau, Moldova
  17. ↑ Spelling of ‘paleo-‘ is commonly ‘palaeo-‘ in Common Wealth countries, e.g. Australia, the UK etc
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