Ciências da Terra é o estudo do nosso planeta natal e de tudo que está sobre, dentro e ao redor dele. Cientistas que estudam ciências da Terra analisam a terra, a água, o ar e os seres vivos que compõem o nosso mundo. Este campo nos ajuda a entender como nosso planeta funciona e como podemos protegê-lo para o futuro.
Na verdade, as ciências da Terra são compostas por várias ciências diferentes trabalhando juntas. Essas incluem:
- Geologia - Geólogos estudam a Terra sólida, incluindo rochas, minerais e formas de relevo. Eles investigam como montanhas são erguidas a partir de terras planas, por que o chão treme repentinamente durante terremotos e o que faz com que vulcões em chamas explodam com lava – às vezes com aviso suficiente para salvar vidas! Quando você pega uma pedra brilhante ou nota camadas coloridas na parede de um cânion, está vendo a geologia em ação.
- How might your understanding of Earth science change the way you think about your local environment?
- In what ways do you interact with natural resources discovered through Earth science every day?
- How could your knowledge of Earth science help you make more environmentally responsible choices?
- How do different Earth science fields help different communities, based on what you read in the article?
- Which Earth science careers mentioned or hinted at in the article sound most interesting to you? Why?
- What “Did You Know?” fact or Earth science connection from the article surprised you the most?
Hypotheticals
Read each scenario and answer the questions:
The Weather Warning
Your town receives an alert about a major storm approaching in 48 hours. The local meteorologists predict heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flooding in low-lying areas where some of your friends live.
- How might meteorologists have detected this storm before it reached your area?
- What data would Earth scientists analyze to predict which parts of town might flood?
- How could you use this Earth science information to help your community prepare?
The Mystery Mineral
While hiking with your science club, you discover an unusual sparkly rock with layers of different colors. Your teacher suggests it might contain valuable minerals that could be used in technology like smartphones or solar panels.
- What branch of Earth science would help identify this rock, and what methods might they use?
- How do Earth scientists determine if a mineral is valuable for technology?
- If this mineral were valuable, what environmental factors would scientists consider before mining it?
Vocabulary
List the following terms and their definitions:
- Atmosphere
- Climate
- Current
- Environmental
- Geology
- Meteorology