THE FOUR BRANCHES OF GEOSCIENCE

Geoscience

• Geology

• Astronomy• Oceanography

• Meteorology

GEOLOGYThe study of the solid

Earth and the processes that shape

it.

ASTRONOMYThe study of the

universe beyond Earth

OCEANOGRAPHYStudy of

the Earth’s oceans

METEOROLOGYThe study of the Earth’s atmosphere

4 Branches of Geoscience

Have you ever wondered why a volcano erupts? Or felt the Earth shake?

• Long ago early humans saw these things happening and wondered why and how. To explain these natural phenomena ancient people forged myths and legends, attributing such events to powerful supernatural forces.

• Angry goddesses hurled fire from volcanoes; giants wrestled underground causing the Earth to shake.

• Not until humans began to make careful observations and searched for natural causes did scientific study begin.

• The Chinese began keeping written records of earthquakes as early as 780 B.C.

• The Greeks compiled catalogs of rocks and minerals in the 3rd century B.C.

• The Mayas in Central America, kept track of the movements of the Sun, moon, and planets.

Why do you think they

would watch the planets

move?

They used these

observations to make accurate calendars

Why would you

want to have a

calendar?

Planting crops,

fishing the tides,

seasons, when to

move, etc.

What is Geoscience?

The study of the Earth and of the universe around it

• Earth science like most modern sciences are based on the assumption that the causes of natural phenomena can be discovered through careful observation and experimentation

Review

• What is Geoscience?

• What are the four branches of Geoscience?