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Understanding The Earth Science and Biology
Understanding The Earth Science and Biology
Why Earth Science and Biology are important? It is an integrated study of the Earth's history,
composition, and structure, its atmosphere and oceans, and its environment in space. Knowledge of
Earth Science is important because most human activities are related to interaction with the planet
Earth. Basic knowledge about the Earth, then, is the key to development of an informed citizenry .
Weather, climate and natural hazards, all controlled by the Earth system, play key roles in everyone's day to
day life.
The primary goal of Earth sciences are the fields of study concerned with the solid Earth, its waters, and the
air that envelops it. They include the geologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric sciences with the broad aim of
understanding Earth's present features and past evolution and using this knowledge to benefit humankind.
Earth’s Systems
-Earth is composed of four basic subsystems: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
There are three main types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Each of these rocks are
formed by physical change such as melting, cooling, eroding, compacting, or deforming that are part
of the rock cycle.
Minerals- are solid substances that are present in nature and can be made of one element or more elements
combined together (chemical compounds).
Weathering describes the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on the surface of the Earth.
There are three types of weathering
Physical/mechanical weathering
Chemical weathering
Organic or biological weathering
Erosion is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural
forces such as wind or water.
A volcano is a rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic
ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface.
Main Hazards
volcanic gases are emitted during eruptions. The main volcanic gases are water vapor, sulfur dioxide and
carbon dioxide. Smaller amounts of carbon monoxide, helium, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen chloride
are also released.
pyroclastic flows – highly dense materials, including rock fragments and gases that flow rapidly. Usually,
they are fluidized since they contain water and air.
Pyroclastic surge - are like pyroclastic flows but are less dense. There are three main types of pyroclastic
surges: the base surge that forms initially after eruption, the ground surge that forms at the base of
pyroclastic flow and the ash cloud surge that flows upward due to convection.
Lahar - are like pyroclastic flow that contains more water due to precipitation, flood, or bodies of water.
tephra - is a general term for rock fragments or solid materials that were blasted or flown way during
eruption.
volcanic earthquake - happen due to the pressure caused by the volcanic eruption.
lava flow - is the least dangerous of all the hazards. It consists of molten rocks that flows slowly,
depending on its silica content, temperature, and slope of the land.
Landslide – is a geological process characterizes by ground movement such as rock fall and failure of
slopes.
Landslides are hazardous. Some of its hazards are the debris and rock fall and debris flow.
Main Hazards
Debris and Rock Fall - pertains to minimal movement or falling of rocks and soil along the slope. It poses
minimum danger or risk such as blockage of tributaries and roads or trails. Debris flow pertains to the fast
flow of soil, rocks and debris due to intense rainfall.
Active Volcano – have erupted at least once in the past 10,000 years. These volcanoes are more likely to
erupt sooner, and pose more threats and hazards.
Dormant volcano – have not erupted in the past 10,000 years. These volcanoes may still erupt but pose
less threat and hazards.
Erupting – having eruptions. These volcanoes pose threat and hazards.
Extinct Volcano – not expected to erupt anymore because there have been blocked and solidified.
Mining – is the process of extracting minerals and/or metals from the earth.
-Two types of Mining:
Large-scale Mining
Small-scale Mining
How does mining trigger landslides?
-In fact, it is one of the major causes of deforestation. Before establishing mine sites, trees and other
vegetation are cleared and burned.
Conclusions:
how us humans, can improve and protect the environment as our natural habitat?
The environment is simply the surroundings where all non-living and also living things are there and form a
sort of relationship between one another. The components of the environment include soil, water, air,
animals and human beings. All of the gifts provided through the natural environment are wonderful for the
entire living organism most especially mankind.All natural resources are very important to life so much
that there would be no life without them. We can saved our environment by keeping planting more trees,
recycling, reusing, reducing pollution, creating awareness through environmental programs, etc.The
environment needs to be saved because it is the source of life and living things are dependent on it.