Chapter 1
Introduction to Earth Science
Dr. Joao Santos
Are you ready for a natural disaster?
The fourth-largest earthquake
ever recorded buckled the
seafloor east of Japan at 2.46
p.m., March 11, 2011.
The earthquake generated a
tsunami that swept across the
east coast of Japan. More than
20,000 people are estimated to
have died as a result.
Banda Aceh, Sumatra, More than 230,000
Indonesia, was quickly people are estimated to
Seven years earlier, a giant devastated by tsunami have died following the
earthquake buckled the seafloor waves up to 30 meters high. Indonesia earthquake
just west of Indonesia at 7.58 and tsunami.
a.m., December 26, 2004.
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Earth Science and the Earth System
Earth Science
• The investigation of interactions among the four
components of the Earth system . . .
– atmosphere (air, weather)
– hydrosphere (water, ice)
– biosphere (plants, animals)
– geosphere (land, rocks)
• . . . and their interaction with the exosphere
(sun, space).
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of (Earth) Science
How do you interact with the
components of the earth system?
ATMOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE
BIOSPHERE GEOSPHERE
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of (Earth) Science
How did the components of the earth
system interact with each other in
the tsunami example?
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of (Earth) Science
Science is . . .
• . . . a process of discovery that increases our
body of knowledge.
• . . . information that can be learned; much of it
is waiting to be discovered.
• . . . the curiosity and creativity of scientists in
the search for answers to critical questions.
Science is not . . .
• . . . a list of facts to be memorized.
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of (Earth) Science
How do Earth Scientists Collect Their Data?
• Direct measurements
– Samples or data are collected at field locations (i.e. rock
samples are collected from an outcrop)
• Indirect information
– Data is collected and then used for interpretation of
something else (i.e. measurements of magnetic
susceptibility are used to determine rock type present on
the ocean floor)
• Modeling
– Physical of computer models that simulate earth
processes (i.e. wave tanks)
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of (Earth) Science
This technician is using an instrument
made of many different bottles to collect
samples of ocean water.
This is an example of direct
measurement.
This wave tank can be used to simulate
tsunami waves generated by
earthquakes.
This is an example of modeling.
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Hutchinson Gas Explosions
• Gas explosions in Hutchinson, Kansas, linked to
gas storage facility
• Scientists hypothesized gas traveled to
Hutchinson in fractures in underground rock layer
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Hutchinson Gas Explosions
• A practical example of the use of science to
resolve a dangerous situation
– Scientific discovery scientists found additional
hazardous gas concentrations
– Use of information geologists used existing knowledge
of rocks in region to predict the potential route of gas
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
To “do science” we need observations,
a testable hypothesis, and one or more
predictions based on the hypothesis.
• Hypothesis – a testable explanation that can
be verified or falsified
• Observations – facts, measurements,
information, data collected using the senses
• Prediction – a statement of what will happen
in a given situation or set of circumstances
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Hypotheses can be tested using either
inductive or deductive reasoning.
1. Inductive reasoning
- drawing general
conclusions from
specific observations.
• Involves recognizing
patterns in data
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Hypotheses can be tested using either
inductive or deductive reasoning.
2. Deductive reasoning -
drawing specific
conclusions based upon
general principles.
• Involves applying laws,
principles
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Inductive Reasoning Example
1. Three massive hurricanes caused significant
damage to the United States during 2005.
2. Hurricane Katrina had a pressure of 902 mbar;
Hurricane Rita, 898 mbar and Hurricane Wilma,
882 mbar.
3. Therefore, massive hurricanes with low air
pressures of around 900 mbar or less will cause
large amounts of damage if they make landfall.
A general conclusion based on specific observations
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Deductive Reasoning Example
1. All hurricanes form as low pressure systems
over oceans.
2. Hurricane Sandy is forming in the Atlantic.
3. Hurricane Sandy must be a low pressure
system.
A specific conclusion based on a general principle
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Science follows some basic rules – that
loosely define the scientific method
1. A scientific hypothesis is tentative and can change
2. A scientific hypothesis should be predictable and
testable – test results should either support or falsify
the hypothesis
3. A scientific hypothesis is based on data from
empirical (based on experience) observations or
experiments
4. A scientific hypothesis offers a well-defined natural
cause to explain a natural event
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Example of an emerging hypothesis
Global warming: Average temperature
of Earth is increasing due to build up of
greenhouse gases in atmosphere
Tentative – Natural cause –
estimates of climate records
how much Empirical – of last 500,000
Predictable – if years show
temperature is measurements
carbon dioxide parallel changes
increasing will of increasing
increases by X, in temperature
change global
temperature will and greenhouse
temperatures
increase by Y gases
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Doing Science
Not all science is “good” science: This can be
of particular concern when reading about
science reported in the popular media.
Common pitfalls:
1) Attacking scientists rather than the science
Not uncommon when religious views conflict with
science
2) Misuse of authority
Can happen when politics conflicts science
3) Confusing cause and effect
If this happened, then that must have been the reason
4) Poor statistics
Using empirical data incorrectly
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Alert people to earth processes (hazards)
that may cause damage or loss of life
• Provide for material needs of society by
managing natural resources
• Protect us from activities that may
endanger the natural environment
• Ensure the future of humanity from global
threats such as climate change or an
asteroid impact
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Alert people to earth processes (hazards)
that may cause damage or loss of life
Which types of
natural hazards
are most
significant for
the region
where you live?
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Alert people to earth processes (hazards)
that may cause damage or loss of life
• Prevention – Which hazards are we most
likely (or least likely) to be able to prevent?
• Example: Prevention of flooding as a result of
construction of floodwalls and levees
• Adjustment – strategies for minimizing the
impact of hazards
• Example: Building code regulations in areas of
frequent earthquakes
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Provide for material needs of society by
managing natural resources
• Renewable resources – water, soil
• Non-renewable resources – oil, coal, metals
• Sustainable
society – a society
that satisfies its
need for resources
without jeopardizing
the needs of future
Strip mining for
manganese, South Africa generations
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Provide for material needs of society by
managing natural resources
What does the
pattern of night
lights suggest
about global use
of energy and
other resources?
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Protect us from activities that may
endanger natural environments
• Human-induced air and water pollution can
cause long-term harm to ecosystems
Clean-up following
the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill,
Alabama coast
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Science and Society
Earth Scientist’s role in Society:
• Ensure the future of
humanity from global threats
such as climate change or
an asteroid impact
The Good Earth, Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Next Chapter
Chapter 2
Earth in Space