Outline of Earth sciences
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Earth science: Earth science – all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is also known as geoscience, the geosciences or the Earthquake sciences, and is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. Earth science is a branch of the physical sciences which is a part of the natural sciences. It in turn has many branches. Earth's spheres. Ecosphere – there are many subsystems that make up the natural environment (the  planetary ecosystem or "ecosphere") of the Earth. Many of the subsystems are characterized as "spheres", coinciding with the shape of the planet. The four spheres (for which most of the other spheres are a subtype of) are the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere and the geosphere. Listed roughly from outermost to innermost the named spheres of the Earth are: Branches of Earth science. Atmospheric science. Atmospheric sciences – The study of the atmosphere, its processes, and interactions with other systems Geography. Geography – The science that studies the terrestrial surface, the societies that inhabit it and the territories, landscapes, places or regions  that form it. Oceanography. Oceanography – The study of the physical and biological aspects of the ocean Planetary science. Planetary science – The study of planets (including Earth), moons, and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes that form them. History of Earth science. History of Earth science – history of the all-embracing sciences related to the planet Earth. Earth science, and all of its branches, are branches of physical science.