Earth Sciences is the study of the Earth and its neighbours in space. It deals with the origin, composition, and history of the planet as well as the physical, chemical, and biological processes that have changed and shaped it over the past 4.5 billion years.

Throughout history, humankind has viewed the planet we live on from many perspectives. Ancient cultures were fascinated by our world and the role it played in their lives, but were limited by their terrestrial vantage point. Today, we routinely view images of the planet from space. Studies of the Earth's continents, oceans, and atmosphere reveal a complex and yet fragile world. This view has propelled us into an extraordinary age of geoscientific research.

Earth scientists commonly explore the formation of mountains and oceans, drift of the continents, sources of mineral and fossil fuel deposits and environmental hazards of an expanding human population. New discoveries and theories in our understanding of planetary structure and function affect not only how we live, but also how we relate to one another.