Earth System Science

  1. The Hydrosphere
    1. Properties of Water
      1. Molecular Structure
        1. Physical Properties
          1. Density and Phase Changes
            1. Heat Capacity
              1. Surface Tension
              2. Chemical Properties
              3. The Global Ocean
                1. Ocean Basins
                  1. Major Ocean Basins
                    1. Ocean Floor Features
                      1. Continental Shelves
                        1. Abyssal Plains
                          1. Mid-Ocean Ridges
                            1. Trenches
                          2. Seawater Composition and Salinity
                            1. Major Dissolved Ions
                              1. Factors Affecting Salinity
                              2. Ocean Circulation
                                1. Surface Currents
                                  1. Wind-Driven Circulation
                                    1. Major Surface Currents
                                    2. Thermohaline Circulation
                                      1. Deep Water Formation
                                        1. Upwelling and Downwelling
                                      2. Tides and Waves
                                        1. Causes of Tides
                                          1. Types of Tides
                                            1. Wave Formation and Characteristics
                                          2. The Hydrologic Cycle
                                            1. Processes of the Water Cycle
                                              1. Evaporation
                                                1. Transpiration
                                                  1. Condensation
                                                    1. Cloud Formation
                                                      1. Precipitation
                                                        1. Infiltration
                                                          1. Groundwater Recharge
                                                            1. Runoff
                                                            2. Water Budget and Balance
                                                            3. Freshwater Systems
                                                              1. Rivers and Streams
                                                                1. River Systems and Drainage Basins
                                                                  1. Streamflow and Discharge
                                                                    1. Erosion and Deposition in Rivers
                                                                    2. Lakes and Ponds
                                                                      1. Formation and Types
                                                                        1. Thermal Stratification
                                                                        2. Wetlands
                                                                          1. Types of Wetlands
                                                                            1. Ecological Importance
                                                                            2. Groundwater and Aquifers
                                                                              1. Aquifer Types
                                                                                1. Groundwater Flow
                                                                                  1. Springs and Wells
                                                                                    1. Groundwater Depletion and Contamination
                                                                                  2. The Cryosphere
                                                                                    1. Glaciers and Ice Sheets
                                                                                      1. Types of Glaciers
                                                                                        1. Glacial Processes
                                                                                          1. Ice Sheet Dynamics
                                                                                          2. Sea Ice
                                                                                            1. Formation and Seasonal Changes
                                                                                              1. Role in Climate
                                                                                              2. Permafrost
                                                                                                1. Distribution and Characteristics
                                                                                                  1. Impacts of Thawing

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                                                                                              2. The Geosphere

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                                                                                              4. The Atmosphere