A major division of the earth sciences, distinguished from geoscience and the hydrologic sciences by its concentration on atmospheric phenomena. Among the atmospheric sciences are meteorology and climatology.
A combination of all living things on Earth—plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic life, insects, viruses, single-cell organisms, and so on—as well as all formerly living things that have not yet decomposed.
The entire range of scientific disciplines focused on the study of Earth, including not only geoscience but also the atmospheric and hydrologic sciences.
A field of geology involved in the application of geologic techniques to analyze, monitor, and control environmental impact of both natural and human phenomena.
A branch of the earth sciences, combining aspects of geology and chemistry, that is concerned with the chemical properties and processes of Earth—in particular, the abundance and interaction of chemical elements and their isotopes.
The study of the solid earth, in particular, its rocks, minerals, fossils, and land formations.
An area of physical geology concerned with the study of landforms, with the forces and processes that have shaped them, and with the description and classification of various physical features on Earth.
A branch of the earth sciences that combines aspects of geology and physics. Geophysics addresses the planet's physical processes as well as its gravitational, magnetic, and electric properties and the means by which energy is transmitted through its interior.
The geologic sciences (geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and related disciplines), as opposed to other earth sciences—that is, atmospheric sciences, such as meteorology, and hydrologicsciences, such as oceanography.
The upper part of Earth's continental crust, or that portion of the solid earth on which human beings live and which provides them with most of their food and natural resources.
The study of Earth's physical history. Historical geology is one of two principal branches of geology, the other being physical geology.
Areas of the earth sciences concerned with the study of the hydrosphere. Among these areas are hydrology, glaciology, and oceanography.
The entirety of Earth's water, excluding water vapor in the atmosphere but including all oceans, lakes, streams, groundwater, snow, and ice.
At one time chemists used the term organic only in reference to living things. Now the word is applied to most compounds containing carbon, with the exception of carbonates (which are minerals) and oxides, such as carbon dioxide.
The study of the material components of Earth and of the forces that have shaped the planet. Physical geology is one of two principal branches of geology, the other being historical geology.
Astronomy, physics, chemistry, and the earth sciences.
Material deposited at or near Earth's surface from a number of sources, most notably preexisting rock. Soilis derived from sediment, particularly the mixture of rock fragments and organic material.
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