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Line 1: − ===Earth science===+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − '''Earth science''' (also known as '''geoscience''', '''the geosciences''' or '''the Earth Sciences'''), is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet [[Earth (planet)|Earth]], including [[geology]], [[geophysics]], [[hydrology]], [[meteorology]], [[physical geography]], [[oceanography]], and [[soil science]].
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'''Earth science''' (also known as geoscience, the geosciences or the Earth sciences) is an all-embracing term for the [[sciences]] related to the planet [[Earth]]. It is taken to be a special case in [[planetary science]], given the Earth is the only life-bearing planet currently discovered. There are both [[reductionist]] and [[holistic]] approaches to [[Earth]] sciences. The formal [[discipline]] of Earth sciences may include the [[study]] of the [[atmosphere]], hydrosphere, [[oceans]] and biosphere, as well as the solid [[earth]]. Typically Earth scientists will use [[tools]] from [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[biology]], and [[mathematics]] to build a [[quantitative]] [[understanding]] of how the Earth system works, and how it evolved to its current state.
The following fields of [[science]] are generally categorized within the geosciences:
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology Geology] describes the rocky parts of the Earth's crust (or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithosphere lithosphere]) and its historic development. Major subdisciplines are mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology paleontology], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratigraphy stratigraphy], structural geology, engineering geology and sedimentology.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_geography Physical geography] covers the aspects of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomorphology geomorphology], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanography oceanography], climatology and biogeography.[citation needed]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophysics Geophysics] and geodesy [[investigate]] the shape of the [[Earth]], its reaction to forces and its [[magnetic]] and [[gravity]] fields. Geophysicists explore the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_core Earth's core] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_mantle mantle] as well as the tectonic and seismic activity of the lithosphere.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_science Soil science] covers the outermost layer of the Earth's crust that is subject to soil formation processes (or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedosphere pedosphere]). Major subdisciplines include edaphology and pedology.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanography Oceanography] and hydrology (includes limnology) describe the marine and freshwater domains of the watery parts of the Earth (or hydrosphere). Major subdisciplines include hydrogeology and physical, chemical, and biological oceanography.[citation needed]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaciology Glaciology] covers the icy parts of the Earth (or cryosphere).
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_sciences Atmospheric sciences] cover the [[gaseous]] parts of the Earth (or [[atmosphere]]) between the surface and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exosphere exosphere] (about 1000 km). Major subdisciplines are meteorology, climatology, atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_science]
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: Earth Science]]
[[Category: Earth Science]]