Welcome to Earth Science!GEOL1401.C01

Professor Shannon Burkett

About the Prof.• B.A. and M.S

geology/volcanology• Geology curator: Heard

museum• Teach online and FTF• Animal lover• Also known as the “evil”

Shannon

Earth Science

What is Earth Science?

Earth Science is the study of Planet Earth

Earth is the 3rd planet from the sun in our Solar System

What’s wrong with this image?

Scale

Small but Complex

• Think of our planet as being composed of four, interconnected “spheres” or layers

Learning the 4 spheres is a little easier than learninghow to use the 3 sea shells

Geosphere

• All rocks at surface and all of the stuff underneath

Hydrosphere

• Water in its various forms

Atmosphere

• The gaseous layer surrounding the earth

Biosphere• Plants, critters, and people