welcome to earth science 105 instructor: jeremiah oxfordinstructor: jeremiah oxford office: ns...

Welcome to Earth Science 105

• Instructor: Jeremiah OxfordInstructor: Jeremiah Oxford

• Email: oxfordj@wou.eduEmail: oxfordj@wou.edu

• Office: NS 212Office: NS 212

• Office Hours: T 10-11, W 2-3, R 10-11, F 3-4Office Hours: T 10-11, W 2-3, R 10-11, F 3-4

• Course Website: www.wou.edu/~oxfordjCourse Website: www.wou.edu/~oxfordj

• Science:

– The collective efforts and findings of humans The collective efforts and findings of humans about nature and its rules.about nature and its rules.

– Process of gathering and organizing Process of gathering and organizing knowledge about nature and condensing it knowledge about nature and condensing it into testable laws and theories.into testable laws and theories.

• Earth Science includes four sciences:Earth Science includes four sciences:

– Astronomy:Astronomy: Study of the Universe – Earth is Study of the Universe – Earth is related to all other objects in space.related to all other objects in space.

• Earth Science includes four sciences:

– Oceanography: Application of all sciences in a comprehensive and interrelated study of the oceans.

– Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate.

• Earth Science includes four sciences:Earth Science includes four sciences:

– Geology:Geology: Study of the Earth Study of the Earth

• Physical Geology:Physical Geology: Earth Materials, surface Earth Materials, surface and internal processes.and internal processes.

• Historical Geology:Historical Geology: Origins of the Earth and Origins of the Earth and its evolution.its evolution.

Earth’s SystemsEarth’s Systems

• Earth System Science – aims to study the Earth as a system composed of numerous and interacting parts.

• System – defined as any size group of System – defined as any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.interacting parts that form a complex whole.

Energy from the Sun drives Earth’s external processes

Earth’s internal heat drives processes beneath the surface.

Energy in Earth’s Systems

Objects in Motion Atomic Nuclei Chemical Bonds

Surface Processes:Streams, Mass Wastingor Landslides

Radioactive Decay,Earth’s Internal Heat

Sedimentary Rocks,Chemical Weathering

Hydroelectricity Nuclear Power Fossil Fuels

Geological Processes

Energy Resources