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Geology 111 – Discovering Planet Earth A1) Early History of the Earth

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Geology 111 – Discovering Planet Earth A1) Early History of the Earth

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Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere, atmospheric phenomena, and atmospheric effects on our weather. The atmosphere is the gaseous layer of the physical environment that surrounds a planet. Earth’s atmosphere is roughly 100 to 125 kilometers (65-75 miles) thick. Gravity keeps the atmosphere from expanding much farther.

Meteorology is a subdiscipline of the atmospheric sciences, a term that covers all studies of the atmosphere. A subdiscipline is a specialized field of study within a broader subject or discipline. Climatology and aeronomy are also subdisciplines of the atmospheric sciences. Climatology focuses on how atmospheric changes define and alter the world’s climates. Aeronomy is the study of the upper parts of the atmosphere, where unique chemical and physical processes occur. Meteorology focuses on the lower parts of the atmosphere, primarily the troposphere, where most weather takes place.

Meteorologists use scientific principles to observe, explain, and forecast our weather. They often focus on atmospheric research or operational weather forecasting. Research meteorologists cover several subdisciplines of meteorology to include: climate modeling, remote sensing, air quality, atmospheric physics, and climate change. They also research the relationship between the atmosphere and Earth’s climates, oceans, and biological life.

Forecasters use that research, along with atmospheric data, to scientifically assess the current state of the atmosphere and make predictions of its future state. Atmospheric conditions both at Earth's surface and above are measured from a variety of sources: weather stations, ships, buoys, aircraft, radar, weather balloons, and satellites. This data is transmitted to centers throughout the world that produce computer analyses of global weather. The analyses are passed on to national and regional weather centers, which feed this data into computers that model the future state of the atmosphere. This transfer of information demonstrates how weather and the study of it take place in multiple, interconnected ways.

Scales of Meteorology

Weather occurs at different scales of space and time. The four meteorological scales are: microscale, mesoscale, synoptic scale, and global scale. Meteorologists often focus on a specific scale in their work.

Microscale Meteorology
Microscale meteorology focuses on phenomena that range in size from a few centimeters to a few kilometers, and that have short life spans (less than a day). These phenomena affect very small geographic areas, and the temperatures and terrains of those areas.

Microscale meteorologists often study the processes that occur between soil, vegetation, and surface water near ground level. They measure the transfer of heat, gas, and liquid between these surfaces. Microscale meteorology often involves the study of chemistry.

Tracking air pollutants is an example of microscale meteorology. MIRAGE-Mexico is a collaboration between meteorologists in the United States and Mexico. The program studies the chemical and physical transformations of gases and aerosols in the pollution surrounding Mexico City. MIRAGE-Mexico uses observations from ground stations, aircraft, and satellites to track pollutants.

Mesoscale Meteorology
Mesoscale phenomena range in size from a few kilometers to roughly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Two important phenomena are mesoscale convective complexes (MCC) and mesoscale convective systems (MCS). Both are caused by convection, an important meteorological principle.

Convection is a process of circulation. Warmer, less-dense fluid rises, and colder, denser fluid sinks. The fluid that most meteorologists study is air. (Any substance that flows is considered a fluid.) Convection results in a transfer of energy, heat, and moisture—the basic building blocks of weather.

In both an MCC and MCS, a large area of air and moisture is warmed during the middle of the day—when the sun angle is at its highest. As this warm air mass rises into the colder atmosphere, it condenses into clouds, turning water vapor into precipitation.

An MCC is a single system of clouds that can reach the size of the state of Ohio and produce heavy rainfall and flooding. An MCS is a smaller cluster of thunderstorms that lasts for several hours. Both react to unique transfers of energy, heat, and moisture caused by convection.

The Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) field campaign is a program that will study storms and thunderclouds in Colorado, Alabama, and Oklahoma. This project will consider how convection influences the formation and movement of storms, including the development of lightning. It will also study their impact on aircraft and flight patterns. The DC3 program will use data gathered from research aircraft able to fly over the tops of storms.

Synoptic Scale Meteorology
Synoptic-scale phenomena cover an area of several hundred or even thousands of kilometers. High- and low-pressure systems seen on local weather forecasts, are synoptic in scale. Pressure, much like convection, is an important meteorological principle that is at the root of large-scale weather systems as diverse as hurricanes and bitter cold outbreaks.

Low-pressure systems occur where the atmospheric pressure at the surface of Earth is less than its surrounding environment. Wind and moisture from areas with higher pressure seek low-pressure systems. This movement, in conjunction with the Coriolis force and friction, causes the system to rotate counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, creating a cyclone. Cyclones have a tendency for upward vertical motion. This allows moist air from the surrounding area to rise, expand and condense into water vapor, forming clouds. This movement of moisture and air causes the majority of our weather events.

Hurricanes are a result of low-pressure systems (cyclones) developing over tropical waters in the Western Hemisphere. The system sucks up massive amounts of warm moisture from the sea, causing convection to take place, which in turn causes wind speeds to increase and pressure to fall. When these winds reach speeds over 119 kilometers per hour (74 miles per hour), the cyclone is classified as a hurricane.

Hurricanes can be one of the most devastating natural disasters in the Western Hemisphere. The National Hurricane Center, in Miami, Florida, regularly issues forecasts and reports on all tropical weather systems. During hurricane season, hurricane specialists issue forecasts and warnings for every tropical storm in the western tropical Atlantic and eastern tropical Pacific. Businesses and government officials from the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America rely on forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.

High-pressure systems occur where the atmospheric pressure at the surface of Earth is greater than its surrounding environment. This pressure has a tendency for downward vertical motion, allowing for dry air and clear skies.

Extremely cold temperatures are a result of high-pressure systems that develop over the Arctic and move over the Northern Hemisphere. Arctic air is very cold because it develops over ice and snow-covered ground. This cold air is so dense that it pushes against Earth’s surface with extreme pressure, preventing any moisture or heat from staying within the system.

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Oceanography is the study of all aspects of the ocean. Oceanography covers a wide range of topics, from marine life and ecosystems to currents and waves, the movement of sediments, and seafloor geology.

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Environmental science is a hot topic right now. This study largely encompasses aspects of physical, biological, and information relating to the environment and the solutions of the problems these topics entail.

When you study environmental science, you commit to learning about subjects like the understanding of earth processes, evaluating alternative energy sources, the effects of climate change, and controlling pollution.

But why should you invest your time in learning about these topics? Why is environmental science important, and what can you even do with a degree in this discipline?

Because the damage we've done to the world will only be reversed by professionals who fully understand the extent of the problem and want to work hard to fix it.

Why is Environmental Science so Important?

The environment is a vital part of our everyday lives. It affects everything we do, from climates to animal survival, to air quality, and much more. Let's take a look at some of the Earth's main environmental problems:

Public Health

Land Management

Waste Disposal and Pollution

Overpopulation

Water

Deforestation

Ecosystems

Endangered Species

Climate Change

That is a long list of concerning issues that affect us all. To get a better understanding of why these things are so important, we're going to take a closer look at a select few of them.

Climate Change

Take the concept of climate change. This is a topic that you have probably heard about in one way or another, whether it was an angry post online or an organized debate in a public forum. Due to a number of factors, the Earth has been experiencing extreme changes in its various climates.

In the Northeast, we see heat waves and a rise in sea levels that pose risks and challenges to communities.

In the Northwest, the ocean is growing in acidity, causes erosions and changes to the timing of streamflow. Things like this negatively impact water supplies-an essential part of all lifeforms.

Climate change has caused global temperatures to rise, ice caps to melt, droughts, wildfires, and massive hurricanes. All of these phenomena have serious implications and cause incredible damage to human life as well as animals and their homes.

Deforestation

It's no surprise that deforestation is a problem since we use trees for a large variety of products. National Geographic reported that since 1990, it is estimated that 500,000 square miles of forest have been destroyed around the world. Whether trees are being cleared for agricultural or building purposes or to use in wood products, chopping down forests has some big negative effects.

Trees produce oxygen as well as absorb carbon dioxide. Due to deforestation, there are fewer trees to complete these tasks.

Additionally, cutting down forests leaves many animal species without homes. Without a home to survive in, many animals die. When a large number of animals are displaced or die out, it seriously disrupts ecosystems that accomplish important tasks for our Earth and our human population.

Pollution

Our world is polluted with a variety of forms and facets. Pollution comes in the form of air pollution, soil pollution, and water pollution. Even the concept of noise pollution has been proven to have a negative effect on the environment.

Cars, trash, gases, smoke-these are all everyday things that negatively impact the Earth and pollute what were once pure, natural things. Pollution can contaminate water, weaken the ozone layer, and destroy habitats. 6.5 million tons of litter enter the world's Ocean each year, creating an issue that is growing at an alarming pace.

What Can I Do with an Environmental Science Degree?

The United States Department of Labor says Environmental Science is one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S., with job employment rising 11% by 2026. While many people may not understand how you could make a successful career with a degree in environmental science, clearly it's not a declining job market.

So, what can you do with an environmental science degree?

There is a growing need for experts in this field. The specific names of jobs you can get may be unknown to you, so take a look at this list of environmental science jobs:

Environmental Lawyer

Coral Reef Sanctuary Manager

Environmental Science Professor

Solar Panel Engineer

Laboratory Technician

Wastewater Technician

Antarctic Researcher

Agricultural Engineer

Park Ranger

Oceanographer

Toxicologist

Basically, the positions you can choose from as a graduate of an environmental science program can be divided into five different career sets:

Environmental Science

Agriculture and Forestry

Environmental Policy and Planning

Sustainability and Green

Public Health

If you have an interest in any of the above topics, you could be an excellent candidate for an environmental health science program.

The great thing about this field is that the sky's the limit (literally). It takes a special kind of person to have the desire and curiosity to ask the right questions and develop sound and productive policies.

In these fields, you have the options of spending time in a lab developing and performing tests and finding answers, researching the unknown, or restoring damaged environments to working, healthy conditions.

There are needs within social sciences, physical sciences, and policy-making. While the degree is in environmental sciences, you are not stuck to just one option. If you're wondering, " is an environmental science degree worth it?" remember that there's a bit of something for everyone in this field.

What Does it Take to Succeed in the Environmental Science Industry?

Many professionals in this field of study have a similar skill set that has allowed them to succeed in their chosen sectors. If you are interested in this field but aren't sure if you have what it takes, glance over this skill set list. You may find that you are more qualified than you think.

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Self-discipline

Whether or not you have direct experience in any of these fields before going into college, these are all traits you can learn and develop in this discipline. The study of environmental science is full of passion and hope, with those within this industry spearheading movements to end pollution and get our world back to what it used to be. This career is for the hopeful and for those who believe in movements and change. With the continuation of pollution across our world, this career choice ensures job stability and guarantees a long career fighting for the cleanliness of our planet.

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Environmental science is a hot topic right now. This study largely encompasses aspects of physical, biological, and information relating to the environment and the solutions of the problems these topics entail. When you study environmental science, you commit to learning about subjects like the understanding of earth processes, evaluating alternative energy sources, the effects of climate change, and controlling pollution.