Introduction to Earth System Science

(ECTS: 6; SWS: 4)

prerequisites		-
objectives		Basic understanding of system Earth, of climate change (IPCC07), of geodynamics and a first idea about the role of satellite measurements for our understanding of these processes; In specialization one (third semester) this topic will be refined, so as to gain a profound understanding of what satellites can contribute to Earth sciences.
contents		Part A: components of the Earth System (atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, solid Earth), electromagnetic radiation and matter, solar radiation, solar radiation and the Earth system, radiation balance, greenhouse effect, astronomical rhythms (day/night, seasons, Milankovitch cycle), atmospheric circulation, climate and land, oceans, mountains, deserts; what can be measured by satellites (active and passive sensors) Part B: dynamics of the solid Earth dynamics of the Earth interior, heat exchange, mantle convection, lithosphere, analysis of seismic wave propagation, magnetic field, gravity field; what can be measured by / with satellites (GPS, gravimetry, magnetometry, topography); interaction of inner and outer part of the earth system
literature		Kandel (1980): Earth and Cosmos. Pergamon.

Technische Universität München