geoscience
Planetary systems science
Geoscience is the study of Earth—its physical structure, processes, and history.
The term encompasses geology, oceanography, atmospheric science, and related fields.
Geoscientists study everything from earthquakes and volcanic activity to climate patterns and fossil records: She pursued a career in geoscience after becoming fascinated with plate tectonics.
Science of water distribution
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- glaciologyStudy of ice masses
- paleoclimatologyStudy of prehistoric climates
biogeography · geochronology · remote sensing · petrology · volcanology · mineralogy · paleontology · oceanography
Earth's crust mobility theory
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- earthquakeSeismic ground movement
- faultImperfection or blame
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
continental drift · lithosphere · asthenosphere · mantle · crust · rift · convergent · divergent
Creating geographic representations
- GISSpatial data framework
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
bathymetry · elevation · terrain · relief · contour · satellite imagery · LIDAR · geospatial
Scientific study of rocks
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
- rock cycleContinuous transformation of minerals
stratification · granite · basalt · schist · gneiss · quartzite · limestone · sandstone
Study of ancient organisms
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
petrified · carbon dating · Jurassic · Cretaceous · Triassic · megafauna · ammonite · fossil record
Study of atmospheric phenomena
- climatologyScientific study of atmospheric patterns
- weatherAtmospheric state outdoors
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
stratosphere · mesosphere · thermosphere · ionosphere · ozone · precipitation · humidity · cyclone
hydrology
Science of water distribution
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- glaciologyStudy of ice masses
paleoclimatology · biogeography · geochronology · remote sensing · petrology · volcanology · mineralogy · paleontology · oceanography · stratigraphy
plate tectonics
Earth's crust mobility theory
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- earthquakeSeismic ground movement
- faultImperfection or blame
subduction · continental drift · lithosphere · asthenosphere · mantle · crust · rift · convergent · divergent · transform
cartography
Creating geographic representations
- GISSpatial data framework
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
remote sensing · bathymetry · elevation · terrain · relief · contour · satellite imagery · LIDAR · geospatial · aerial photography
petrology
Scientific study of rocks
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
rock cycle · stratification · granite · basalt · schist · gneiss · quartzite · limestone · sandstone · shale
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
extinction · petrified · carbon dating · Jurassic · Cretaceous · Triassic · megafauna · ammonite · fossil record · coprolite
meteorology
Study of atmospheric phenomena
- climatologyScientific study of atmospheric patterns
- weatherAtmospheric state outdoors
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
troposphere · stratosphere · mesosphere · thermosphere · ionosphere · ozone · precipitation · humidity · cyclone · anticyclone
mineralogy
Science of inorganic solids
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- gemologyScientific study of gems
- quartzCrystalline silicon dioxide
feldspar · mica · calcite · fluorite · apatite · olivine · halite · silicates · carbonite · sulfides
eruption
Violent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- magmaMolten rock underground
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
caldera · crater · ash · pumice · lahar · tephra · volcanologist · vent · cone · shield volcano
- Earth Sciencesmeteorology, oceanography, climatology, seismology, volcanology
geoscienceastronomy
Science of celestial objects
astrophysics · cosmology · space science · planetary science · astrobiology
geosciencelife sciences
Study of living organisms
biology · bioscience · ecology · zoology · botany
geosciencehumanities
Study of culture
social sciences · philosophy · literature · history · theology