Earth System Science

  1. The Atmosphere
    1. Composition and Structure
      1. Major Gases
        1. Trace Gases
          1. Aerosols and Particulates
            1. Vertical Structure
              1. Troposphere
                1. Weather Processes
                2. Stratosphere
                  1. Ozone Layer
                  2. Mesosphere
                    1. Thermosphere
                    2. Atmospheric Pressure and Density
                    3. Atmospheric Energy
                      1. Solar Radiation and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
                        1. Types of Radiation
                          1. Absorption and Scattering
                          2. Earth's Energy Budget
                            1. Incoming Solar Energy
                              1. Reflection and Albedo
                                1. Outgoing Infrared Radiation
                                2. The Greenhouse Effect
                                  1. Greenhouse Gases
                                    1. Natural Greenhouse Effect
                                      1. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
                                    2. Atmospheric Dynamics
                                      1. Atmospheric Pressure
                                        1. Measurement and Variation
                                        2. Global Wind Patterns
                                          1. Hadley Cells
                                            1. Ferrel Cells
                                              1. Polar Cells
                                              2. The Coriolis Effect
                                                1. Causes and Consequences
                                                2. Jet Streams
                                                  1. Location and Characteristics
                                                    1. Influence on Weather
                                                  2. Weather and Climate
                                                    1. Defining Weather vs. Climate
                                                      1. Air Masses and Fronts
                                                        1. Types of Air Masses
                                                          1. Types of Fronts
                                                          2. Major Storm Systems
                                                            1. Hurricanes
                                                              1. Formation and Structure
                                                                1. Impacts and Hazards
                                                                2. Tornadoes
                                                                  1. Formation and Structure
                                                                    1. Impacts and Hazards
                                                                    2. Mid-latitude Cyclones
                                                                      1. Formation and Structure
                                                                        1. Impacts and Hazards

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                                                                  3. The Hydrosphere

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                                                                  5. The Biosphere