The Home Planet

The Earth is our home, and we are a part of the Earth. We rely upon the Earth for our very existence. The Earth’s gifts feed us, provide shelter, and all that we need to survive and thrive.

Change Is The Only Constant

The Earth is dynamic. It is always changing. Even small changes can have profound influences on humanity and civilization. Understanding the Earth’s systems and how they interact is vital for our survival and wellbeing.

	Formation of Planet Earth Our Milky Way galaxy came together nearly 14 billion years ago when enormous clouds of gas and dust coalesced under the force of gravity. Over time, two structures emerged: first, a vast spherical “halo,” and later, a dense, bright disk. Billions of years after that, our own solar system spun into being inside this disk, so that when we look out at night, we see the Milky Way.
	Layers of Planet Earth The Earth is made of many layers. We live on the outer layer, a thin layer of rock and water floating on an ocean of molten rocks and metals.
	Change and Plate Tectonics
	Fire and the Earth Volcanoes have existed for a long time on Earth, and they deserve our greatest respect. They may have caused major planetary disasters, such as the Permian Mass Extinction about 250 million years ago, which may have been the greatest mass extinction on Earth.
	Pele: Goddess of Fire Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire---like the volcanos she represents---deserves our greatest respect. Hew beauty is awe-inspiring, her moods fiery, and her fury immense.
	Types of Rocks
	Experiment: Growing Salt Crystals Create a supersaturated solution. As the solution becomes unstable, salt crystals will form.
	Crystals Crystals are the outer form of a mineral's inner order. Nearly every piece of rock on Earth is made of minerals, each of which has a precise arrangement of atoms.
	Identifying Rocks To identify a rock, think like a geologist and examine its physical characteristics for clues.
	Fossils
	Minerals and Life We are a part of the Earth, a piece of the whole. Just as our terrestrial planet is made of specific minerals, we are made of the same minerals. Our bodies need many essential minerals to remain healthy. A well-balanced diet can provide all the minerals we need.
	Deep Ocean Vents
	Pale Blue Dot