Natural Disasters and Earth System Research

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Earth system science is understanding the notion that Earth is a complex system represented by interlocking spheres of processes: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. The balance of these spheres of processes maintains life on Earth. The impact humankind has on the climate system is a part of these spheres of processes. The impact humankind has on the climate system is a part of these spheres of processes. Earth system science is not complete, is always changing, and does not including human interaction. Earth is the only planet that sustains life: water to feed life, carbon to make life and to trap heat, atmosphere and an electromagnetic field to block harmful radiation, the moon to balance Earth, and finally, the earth is in the sun's Goldilocks zone. The great circulation systems of Earth-water, carbon, and the nutrients-replenish what life needs and help regulate the climate system. In Earth system science, changes in Earth's ecosystems can cause extreme weather events. Changes in one sphere of processes can affect another. Our solar system is located in a benign region of the Milky Way galaxy, such that Earth is not bombarded with excessive high-energy radiation from stellar neighbors. The tilt of the Earth's axis controls the seasons and Earth's 24-hour rotational period ensures daily distribution of energy are a vital part of the diurnal biological clock and the daily rhythm of the tides that run in many living organisms. Earth's gravity is in the range where a significant atmosphere can remain on the surface without dissipating into the vacuum of space. Unlike other celestial bodies, Earth has all the necessary requirements for life. The air is very thin. The early air had carbon dioxide and eventually, photosynthesis evolved and made more oxygen. The hydrologic cycle is caused by the circulating atmosphere, which is caused by the earth's rotation, the sun heating the air, and earth's gravity pulling everything down. The troposphere is the densest and closest part of the air to the earth, containing over 99% of the water vapor. Above is the stratosphere which has all of the ozone, which is slowly dying due to human chemicals called CFCs. Methane, carbon dioxide and low clouds can also trap heat while high clouds reflect energy into space. Right now the air is getting worst in every way due to global warming. Water help enriches the soil and moves tectonic plates. Water somewhat controls the weather and there is only like one percent fresh water on earth. Ice has a lot of fresh water and it reflects a lot of sunlight; if it were to melt then all of the shores would be flooded. Water is needed to make food and it is a pathway for energy. The layers of earth hold a record of what has happened here. Rocks can be categorized into three main types based upon their origin. Igneous rock crystallizes at great depth in the Earth from molten magma. Sedimentary rock forms when fine-grained materials, often weathered bits of other rock, are deposited in layers by the action of wind or water. Metamorphic rock is produced by the transformation of igneous or sedimentary rock under conditions of heat or pressure, such as when the rock is buried deeply or compressed. The low-density rocks flow on the denser stuff and move around to create quakes, volcanoes, and etc. If stress on two plates is strong enough, then the rock will crack and earthquakes will happen. Most of the volcanoes are underwater and if it explodes, then the air will be filled with bad stuff and the climate will change. The rock cycle is uplift, weathering, erosion, deposition, compression, and alteration, and without the rock cycle, then the nutrients can be buried forever. There is life everywhere except only on earth. The biosphere is the living part of the system, responsible for maintaining o2 and co2, hydrologic cycle through plants and soil formation to make oil and coal. Earth has been making o2 for a long time so now there is a lot of it. Carbon is very important so it must be cycled in the system. The 18th century was the start of human impact on global warming. We have taken off the earth’s resources. Earth system science is important.

Asteroid impacts are a lot worse than I thought. It negatively affects almost all of the earth systems. In the worst case scenario, it can also cause other natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and wildfires. A lot of the plans to stop an asteroid impact sound really futuristic, but at the same time possible. I decided to pick asteroid impacts as my natural disaster that I was going to cover because natural disasters from the exosphere are sometimes forgotten since they are so rare.