Earth Science is a scientific study of Earth. Its main branches are geology, meteorology, oceanology, and astronomy. However, there are many other branches too. What career opportunities does it have, and where can you work?
What is Earth Science
Earth science is an exciting scientific study of plant Earth. It entails any natural sciences investigating Earth’s structure, composition, processes, organism evolution, and the space beyond Earth. When we say Earth, we mean the four spheres, i.e., geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
Here is what these parts of the earth mean:
- Geosphere (lithosphere): Refers to all rocks and rock materials found on and under the Earth’s surface. These minerals include soil, magma mantles, and hot metallic core. Also, animal and plant fossil remains, sand on the beach, and mountain peaks are part of it.
- Hydrosphere: It is the sum of all water on Earth. This includes water on the surface, above, or underground in all states. Examples are water in oceans, rivers or lakes, underground water, ice (frozen), and water vapor air.
- Atmosphere: Refers to layers of gases surrounding planets or any heavenly body. In the case of Earth, our atmosphere has 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Also, it has a small amount (1%) of other gases. The other smaller gases include neon, helium, hydrogen, krypton, and methane.
- Biosphere: Is the region beneath, on, or above the Earth’s surface with plants and animals. It is where living organisms (plants and animals) live or a part of life that supports life. It has soil, water, air, living organisms, and its activities’ products. Sometimes, people refer to it as the ecosphere.
The American Geosciences Institute defines geoscience as “the study of the Earth – its oceans, atmosphere, rivers and lakes, ice sheets and glaciers, soils, complex surface, rocky interior, and metallic core. This includes many aspects of how living things, including humans, interact with the Earth.”
Lastly, Earth science is an interdisciplinary study. Why? Because you will need your chemistry, biology, physics, and even math as you study it. So, it a proper understanding of these subjects.
Branches of Earth science
There are four main branches of Earth science, 1) geology, 2) oceanography, 3) meteorology, and 4) astronomy. However, there are many other branches or areas of study too.
Here is what each of the four main branches means:
1. Geology
Geology studies the composition of Earth’s material, its structures, composition, and process. It also covers Earth’s organism and their evolution for over 4.5 billion years. So, you can say geology study of Earth’s history, materials, nature, and processes.
The term geology comes from geo (Earth) and ology (study of). The two words combined mean meaning geology is the study of Earth.
Geology is a term often used to mean geoscience or Earth science. It is Earth’s Science core branch. However, Earth Science covers areas beyond the scope of geology. Examples are meteorology and oceanography. So, it brings several science disciplines together.
Some things that geologists do include the following.
- Search for new natural resources. This can be like fuel, other energy sources, underground water, or minerals
- Identify and study hazards like Earthquakes, flooding, and landslides. Such a study helps help mitigate or reduce these disasters.
- Working with other scientists, they can anticipate the future. This happens through making changes required to improve Earth’s future. Such areas include climate changes and conserving the soil.
2. Meteorology
Meteorology is a scientific study of the atmosphere, structure, and process to determine or forecast weather and climate. It uses chemistry and physics laws to study atmospheric processes – precipitation, clouds, winds, etc. – and how they interact with Earth’s surface (land and ocean).
The information that metrologists help in various economic sectors. Examples of ways the information helps are:
- People in air and marine transport can reduce risks and maximize efficiencies
- Farms can know when to plant and harvest. This requires knowing the weather and seasonal changes.
- Disaster and emergency managers can plan for and reduce causalities and damages. Some hazards are tornadoes, heat waves, hurricanes, storms, etc.
- Assist emergency and disaster managers in planning for and reducing casualties or damages. Such hazards include tornadoes, heat waves, hurricanes, storms, etc.
- Weather forecasts can boost tourism and recreational activities. People know when it is safe and when not to go out.
3. Oceanography
Oceanography is a branch of Earth science that scientifically studies Earth’s oceans, i.e., composition, organisms (life), movements, and processes, including their history, current, and future status. It uses biology, chemistry, math, geology, meteorology, and physics knowledge to help develop and protect ocean resources from human activities.
There are four main areas or branches of oceanography which are chemical, biological, physical, and geological.
Why is it important? Remember, water covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface, and 97% of this water is salty and is in the oceans. Also, oceans are an important resource (source of food, transport, energy, etc.). Some ways oceanographers help include:
- They study weather and climatic changes. This helps them predict hazards like hurricanes or even oil spills.
- Come up with ways to protect marine life from extinction from various forces like human activities, pollution, and climate changes.
- They help keep water quality even with the increase in demand. This includes human activities like offshore gas, oil or wind farms, tourism, shipping, etc.
4. Astronomy
Astronomy studies the universe or anything beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, i.e., the sun, asteroids, meteors, moon, planets, galaxies, comets, etc., and processes. It uses physics, math, and chemistry to explain the origin and evolution of the universe.
Astronomy has helped humankind understand Earth better. For instance, they know the role of solar energy on weather and climate. Also, they better understand the ocean tidal effect of the moon, etc.
Also, advances in astronomy have found important uses. Some of these applications are in medicine, defense, consumer products, monitoring of the environment, industry, etc.
Other branches or fields of study
Other branches of Earth science besides the above four include the following:
- Physical geography
- Geophysics
- Geochemistry
- Hydrology
- Limnology
- Glaciology
- Soil science
- Environmental science
- Speleology
- Ecology
Note that the exact branches of Earth science may vary from one institution to another. So, don’t worry if you see a different list.
Significance of Earth science
Planet Earth is a home for all of us. Our lives, civilization, and animals depend on it for food and other resources. So, studying Earth, its process, or how it works is a sure way to manage our planet for us today and in the future.
Educators need to emphasize Earth science study. Who shouldn’t know about the Earth where they live? It should be studied at the elementary or secondary schools, not only at undergraduate or graduate levels. We all have this one planet.
Here are a few reasons why Earth science is important:
- Earth science is key in discovering new natural resources like minerals, metals, and other natural sources. This will help meet the ever-growing needs of our population and technology expansion. What else will we rely on if we don’t get one resource or enhance what we have?
- It helps us develop new energy sources like hydropower and geothermal that don’t harm our climate. The overall effect will be a reduction in dependence on fossil fuels. Most fossil fuels are not renewable. Also, they pollute our environment.
- It equips us with the knowledge to understand, detect, and manage natural disasters. Such hazards are volcanic activities, earthquakes, floods, landslides, hurricanes, etc. They can kill millions, damage infrastructure, and kill animals if ignored.
- What you learn will help address climate change, planning, and developing urban areas in the military and other sectors.
These are but a few. There are many reasons why Earth science is important, and they directly impact our lives and those of animals.
Requirements to study Earth science
Earth science has many branches and is undoubtedly an exciting area of study. Here are some requirements if you find it fascinating and would like to study it.
1. Pre-collage
Are you a pre-collage or high school student interested in Earth Science or its branches? Then you need to take and excel in science subjects. Get good grades in biology, physics, chemistry, math, and related areas like geography.
Also, you should be fluent in spoken and written English. Furthermore, international students may need to sit and pass English proficiency tests like GRE, IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo, etc.
Lastly, different institutions have different minimum scores or GPAs for entry into Earth Sciences. So, strive to post the best grades.
2. Undergraduates
Undergraduates who majored in science subjects like Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Geography can join a graduate school for a Master’s degree in Earth Science or any branch if they qualify.
Like in pre-collage, excellent grades or a required GPA may be a prerequisite to admission. Talk to the university you are considering to give you more information. Why? Because the options available vary. Also, you will know what they need.
3. What will you learn in Earth Science?
The courses you will learn at the colleges or graduate school will depend on 1 what is available. You can go for Earth Science or specific areas like geology, meteorology, oceanology, etc. Also, courses will vary from one institution to another.
Some of the modules or courses you may learn in Earth Science include the following?
- Geology
- Atmosphere and weather
- Natural hazards
- Pollution
- Marine science
- Ecology
- Geography
- Seismology
- Hydrological sciences
- Mineralogy
- Paleontology
- Earth history
- Geophysics
- Mining and mineral processing
- Geochemistry
- Sedimentology
That is not all. You will learn skills to interpret mathematical and chemical data, write scientific reports, and do research. Also, students will learn IT, critical analysis, project management, communication, independent reasoning, and thinking skills.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. You will get several other modules and subjects that will prepare you well for Earth Science.
Career outlook: What do graduates of Earth Science do?
Earth science offers lucrative career opportunities and job prospects, with Earth Scientists earning $125,000 to $159,806 per annum in the US, with $133,300 as the median salary.
If you want to pursue studies in this area, you need to know that Earth Scientists have diverse places they can work. These areas may be general or specific to the studied Earth Science branch.
Some of the areas you may end up working as an Earth Scientist include the following:
- Geologist
- Conservationist
- Environmental Consultant
- Earth Science professor, teacher, or trainer
- Researcher
- Sustainability consultant
- Geoscientist
- Soil scientist
- Forester
- Agronomist
- Meteorologist
- Hydrologist
- Ecologist
- Geophysicist
- Marine biologist
- Geographer
- Geomorphologists
- Oceanographers
- Geochemists
- Petrologists
- Limnologists
- Seismologists
- Sedimentologists
- Climatologist
- Astronomer
- Ocean scientist
- Space scientist
- Paleontologists
- Ocean scientists
- Cartographer
- Vulcanologist
- Stratigrapher
- Remote sensing
- Topography mapping and surveying