<Ul> <Li> Physical geography , covers aspects of geomorphology , soil study , hydrology , meteorology , climatology , and biogeography . </Li> <Li> Geology describes the rocky parts of the Earth 's crust ( or lithosphere ) and its historic development . Major subdisciplines are mineralogy and petrology , geochemistry , geomorphology , paleontology , stratigraphy , structural geology , engineering geology , and sedimentology . </Li> <Li> Geophysics and geodesy investigate the shape of the Earth , its reaction to forces and its magnetic and gravity fields . Geophysicists explore the Earth 's core and mantle as well as the tectonic and seismic activity of the lithosphere . Geophysics is commonly used to supplement the work of geologists in developing a comprehensive understanding of crustal geology , particularly in mineral and petroleum exploration . See geophysical survey . </Li> <Li> Soil science covers the outermost layer of the Earth 's crust that is subject to soil formation processes ( or pedosphere ) . Major subdisciplines include edaphology and pedology . </Li> <Li> Ecology covers the interactions between the biota , with their natural environment . This field of study differentiates the study of the Earth , from the study of other planets in the Solar System ; the Earth being the only planet teeming with life . </Li> <Li> Hydrology ( includes oceanography and limnology ) is a study revolved around the movement , distribution , and quality of the water and involves all the components of the hydrologic cycle on the earth and its atmosphere ( or hydrosphere ) . `` Sub-disciplines of hydrology include hydrometeorology , surface water hydrology , hydrogeology , watershed science , forest hydrology , and water chemistry . '' </Li> <Li> Glaciology covers the icy parts of the Earth ( or cryosphere ) . </Li> <Li> Atmospheric sciences cover the gaseous parts of the Earth ( or atmosphere ) between the surface and the exosphere ( about 1000 km ) . Major subdisciplines include meteorology , climatology , atmospheric chemistry , and atmospheric physics . </Li> </Ul>
what are the main areas of earth science
Physical geography Geology Geophysics Soil science Ecology Hydrology Glaciology Atmospheric sciences