Earth Science: Unearth the Best Web Sites
Earth science, also known as geoscience, is the study of Earth as a system and all its component parts. Geophysics, oceanography, atmospheric science, geology, and more all fall within its purview. There’s no need to be overwhelmed, however. Earth science inspires some of its brightest minds to share their enthusiasm and expertise online. This Web guide showcases the best sites to explore the sky above you and the depths beneath your feet.
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Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Earth Science?
The broadness of Earth science as a discipline invites much confusion, lending to the erroneous notion that Earth science is synonymous with geology or seismology. Below you’ll find help understanding what the discipline is, and what its fundamental principles, assumptions, and areas of focus are.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Earth science is a broad arena, and many scientists in it do not call themselves “Earth scientists.” Though the term “Earth science” is a good way to describe a large grouping of interrelated fields, if you’re having trouble finding specific information online, try focusing on a narrower discipline, such as geology or climatology. Some of the disciplines that fall under Earth science are:
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Geodesy
- Seismology
- Oceanography
- Meteorology / Climatology / Atmospheric Science
- Planetary Science
- Environmental Science
- Marine Sciences
- Earth science overlaps quite a bit with environmental science (in fact, the distinction can be downright murky). For more information on that other study of the world around us, find your way to the findingDulcinea Environmental Science Web Guide.
- Though you’ll rarely if ever find “Earth scientists” or “Earth science companies” in the professional world, the academic world tends to use the designation more often, and as a college major its popularity is quite substantial and growing. If you’re looking for Earth science resources beyond what we’ve included in this Web Guide, university departmental Web sites are a good bet, and are authoritative as well.
Dulcinea's Picks
The American Geophysical Union
provides a very basic and clear breakdown of the discipline through a discussion of what earth (and space) scientists actually do. Good for children (or adults who just want a quick rundown), this site is a decent first answer to the question, “What is Earth science?”
HowStuffWorks’
“Earth Science” channel is lively, educating you in the site’s traditional style through articles with intriguing titles in question form, such as “What causes the seasons?” This collection of all of the site’s Earth science–related areas is an entertaining and generally well-written database of answers to some of the most common questions you might have about the field.
Newton BBS
is a Web site of the U.S. Department of Energy; this simple but informative site has been online since the early 1990s. Use the “Ask A Scientist” feature in the “Environmental and Earth Science” section for answers to specific questions: browse nearly 20 years of archives, or submit your own question. All questions are answered by environmental and Earth science experts.
Who knew?
Earth Science Picture of the Day
is a quick and fun way to learn about Earth science in just a minute or two a day. Each beautiful picture is accompanied by a short but educational caption describing the specific phenomena on display.
Earth Science School Resources
Earth science is a great way to introduce young children to the scientific process as well as the ... read more »
Earth Science News and Blogs
Earth science is an extremely active field, with many of its fundamental discoveries having taken ... read more »
Earth Science Organizations
Despite its interdisciplinary nature, the world of Earth science has a surprising number of ... read more »
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