Primary Source Archives
Gale Primary Sources offers earth science archives and collections that provide researchers with firsthand content.
Earth Science
Explore the field of earth science, which is any of the sciences that deal with the earth or with one or more of its parts. Also known as geoscience, earth science is a broad field that can be divided into many disciplines. The four main branches, however, are geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Those who work in these fields frequently use their research to support environmental and conservation efforts.
Geologists study the composition of earth’s materials, structures, and processes, as well as the organisms of the planet and how the planet has changed over time. As part of their work, they may search for fossil fuels and minerals or study volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Meteorologists study the earth’s atmosphere and how it affects the weather and climate. Oceanographers study the earth’s oceans, including their composition, movement, and processes.
Astronomy, or the study of the universe, is considered to be an earth science because what occurs in space affects the world. For example, the moon controls the ocean tides, energy from the sun affects all of life on earth and dictates our seasons, and asteroid impacts have played a major role in the planet’s history.
