Introduction to Earth System Science
Earth System Science / Unit 1 / Foundations of ESS
What is Earth System Science?
Earth system science (ESS) is a rapidly emerging transdisciplinary endeavor aimed at
understanding the structure and functioning of Earth as a complex, adaptive system.
● ESS/Geography is a science that is both spatial (studies distribution and form over the
surface of the Earth) and it is temporal (studies change as related to time).
● Studies natural systems, geographic areas, society, cultural activities, human/Earth
relationships.
● Linking humans and the Earth system is important because humans are responsible for
many changes to the Earth system
Essentials of ESS:
● The Science of ESS and Geography
○ Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their
environments.
● Earth Systems Concepts
● Location and Time on Earth
● Map Scales and Projections
○ Maps are used for understanding information about the Earth and depicting it.
■ Map: a generalized view of an area, as seen from above and reduced in size.
■ Scale: ratio of map units to ground units.
■ Projection: process of transforming a spherical Earth to a two dimensional
map.
● Remote Sensing, GIS, & Other Tools
Earth’s Dimensions
- Earth is an oblate spheroid.
The Earth has a geodial bulge, meaning that it isn't a perfect circle. Instead, there is a slight
bulge at the equator.
Polar Circumference Equatorial Circumference
40,008 km 40,075 km
Analyzing Earth (Relationship between ESS and Geography)
Spatial analysis: occurs over space.
Temporal analysis: occurs over time.
Earth System Science / Unit 1 / Foundations of ESS
What is Earth System Science?
Earth system science (ESS) is a rapidly emerging transdisciplinary endeavor aimed at
understanding the structure and functioning of Earth as a complex, adaptive system.
● ESS/Geography is a science that is both spatial (studies distribution and form over the
surface of the Earth) and it is temporal (studies change as related to time).
● Studies natural systems, geographic areas, society, cultural activities, human/Earth
relationships.
● Linking humans and the Earth system is important because humans are responsible for
many changes to the Earth system
Essentials of ESS:
● The Science of ESS and Geography
○ Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their
environments.
● Earth Systems Concepts
● Location and Time on Earth
● Map Scales and Projections
○ Maps are used for understanding information about the Earth and depicting it.
■ Map: a generalized view of an area, as seen from above and reduced in size.
■ Scale: ratio of map units to ground units.
■ Projection: process of transforming a spherical Earth to a two dimensional
map.
● Remote Sensing, GIS, & Other Tools
Earth’s Dimensions
- Earth is an oblate spheroid.
The Earth has a geodial bulge, meaning that it isn't a perfect circle. Instead, there is a slight
bulge at the equator.
Polar Circumference Equatorial Circumference
40,008 km 40,075 km
Analyzing Earth (Relationship between ESS and Geography)
Spatial analysis: occurs over space.
Temporal analysis: occurs over time.
