GEOL 111-01, Earth System Science, Fall 2007

Abstract

Earth System Science is an exploration of the four interacting components that shape our environment: the hydrosphere (water and ice), the atmosphere (air), the geosphere (earth), and the biosphere (life). The earth is ~4.6 billion years old and has evolved through time. Earth’s systems are constantly changing at rates from microseconds to hundreds of millions of years. Processes which shape the earth and impact our lives occur at a variety of scales from subatomic to astronomical. In recent time, the human population has increased rapidly from ~ 1 billion in 1800, to near ~6.5 billion today, and is projected to reach more than 9 billion by 2050. Since earth has finite limits and resources, humans have become an important force in shaping the environment. In this course, we will examine the structure of our planet, earth materials, and the processes acting through time, which have shaped the earth and continue to reshape it today. This background will serve as a departure point for those who choose to pursue a minor in Earth System Science or Environmental Science. For those choosing other paths, this introduction will enable you to make informed decisions concerning development of our planet, resource exploitation, energy consumption, land use, and waste disposal.