While students will not study the weather in as much detail as they will in classes that focus only on this element, such as climatology, most earth science courses do include an exploration of basic weather patterns. In earth science, students may also study how the make up of the planet and its atmosphere lead to weather phenomenon, such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Many elements on the planet Earth prove highly useful to man. In earth science, students learn how natural resources are put to use as well as what can be done to ensure continued supply of these resources. This section of earth science courses also commonly include a cautionary lesson on what will happen if natural resources aren't protected.
The landscape of the Earth is not homogenous but instead highly varied. In earth science, students learn about the various features that dot the Earth's surface including the assortment of terrains the planet features. Students also study why the landscape of the Earth is so varied, learning how factors such as distance from the equator affects lands.
While the emphasis of Earth science is not animals, many earth science courses do include a study of how animals' needs are met by the planet Earth. Because Earth is the only planet in the solar system to house life, looking at the elements present on Earth that make this life propagation possible is important.
Earth science courses often include a study of how the actions of man influence the health of the planet. Because human actions can upset the delicate balance of the Earth's ecosystem, this topic is often heavily emphasized. When students study this topic, teachers often explain the science behind environmental issues such as ozone depletion as well as what can be done to prevent these negative effects.