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ECS-201 (Earth System I) : Course

This course provides 2 credits and involves 2 contact hours per week. Students will be evaluated based on quizzes (30%), a mid-semester exam (35%), and a final exam (35%). The course covers the origin, history, processes, and dynamics of how the Earth changes over time. It examines the interconnected spheres of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Key topics include the formation of Earth, its interior composition, dynamic forces, thermal state, evolution of life and the atmosphere, mass extinctions, and rivers and oceans.

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Juan Robinson
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31 views

ECS-201 (Earth System I) : Course

This course provides 2 credits and involves 2 contact hours per week. Students will be evaluated based on quizzes (30%), a mid-semester exam (35%), and a final exam (35%). The course covers the origin, history, processes, and dynamics of how the Earth changes over time. It examines the interconnected spheres of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Key topics include the formation of Earth, its interior composition, dynamic forces, thermal state, evolution of life and the atmosphere, mass extinctions, and rivers and oceans.

Uploaded by

Juan Robinson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Course Details

Course: ECS-201 (Earth System I)

Credit: 02

Nature of course: 2 contact hours/week

Evaluation: Quiz ~ 30%


Mid-Sem ~ 35%
End-Sem ~ 35%
(Total Two Quizzes)
Geology- The Science of Earth
(Origin, History, Processes and dynamics of how it changes)

Existence of life and water


Active geological activities

Relative Scaling: Sand (Earth) rotating ~9 m away around an Orange (Sun)


Selected Earth Reservoirs:

Life Volcanoes

Mountain Ocean

What, How, When, Why? Geology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology


Spheres of the Earth: Inter-linked reservoirs
1. Atmosphere: Thin layer of gases that cover Earths surface.

2. Hydrosphere: Contains Earths water (~97% is in Oceans).


(if all the earth surface irregularity is smoothed out to form a perfect
sphere, the global ocean would cover Earth to a depth of 2.25 km)

3. Geosphere: Consists of the solid earth.


4. Biosphere: Composed of living entities on Earth.
Exogenic cycles:

Operate at the Earths


surface

Endogenic cycles:

Operate in the Earths


interior
Global inter-connectedness of air, water, rocks and life

From space, we can view the Earth as a planet, seeing the


interconnectedness of the oceans, atmosphere, continents,
ice sheets, and life itself.
we study planet Earth as a dynamic system of diverse
components interacting in complex ways- a challenge on a
par with any in science.

We observe and track global changes, and we study regional


changes in their global context.
We observe the role that human civilization increasingly
plays as a force of change. We trace effect to cause, connect
variability and forcing with response, and vastly improve
national capabilities to predict climate, weather, and natural
hazards.

NASA science Plan (2007-2016)


Key topics in Earth system science:

Formation of Earth

Interior of Earth and its composition

Dynamic Earth and forces within

Thermal state of Earth

Evolution of Earth: Life and Atmospheric Oxygen

Mass Extinction and Biodiversity

Rivers: reshaping Earth surface and nutrient supply

Oceans: Origin and biogeochemical cycles


Pressing Questions:

Safe disposal of radioactive waste and toxic chemicals

Planning buildings, highways, dams, canals, etc.

Natural hazards (landslides, earthquakes, floods)

Natural resources (water, solid, minerals, fossil fuels)

Past climate and its future prediction


Formation of Earth

Astronomical Observation Analysis of Meteorites


Meteorites
Solid bodies of extra-terrestrial material that penetrate of
atmosphere and reach the Earths surface

Most meteorites are fragments of asteroids

Falls: Recovered following observed falls

Finds: which cannot definitely be associated with observed falls

Lonar Lake
Meteorites: STONY, IRON & STONY-IRON

IDENTIFY A METEORITE:

Heavy (Presence of Fe and Ni)


Magnetic property
Irregular Shape
Fusing coating: A thin layer of dark glass
Chemical composition: High Ni and Ir
Isotopic composition: To track source

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