SFS3601: Earth Systems and Climate Science

This course focuses on the physical nature of landscapes and the geologic and seismic complexity of a region firmly situated along the ‘ring of fire,’ the edge of the Pacific Ocean basin where tectonic activity generates earthquakes and volcanic activity. On a planet whose surface is more than 70% ocean, we will also explore the important role of the oceans in the Earth Systems. We will study the science of climate past and current and the evidence for anthropogenic climate change.As we build our understanding of how the globe functions, we will consistently ground our learning with our location in Patagonia. From the base of Puerto Natales, many national parks are only kilometers away. Glaciers that belong to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the world’s second largest contiguous ice field outside the polar regions, will be visited. Chile’s dynamic Andes range – which is still growing – and the active volcanoes of the lakes region of Chile are open to discovery. Fragile forests susceptible to wildfire will be examined.One focus of this course will be the science of climate change, understanding the dynamics of the Quaternary Period (the time when periodic pulses of warm and cold influenced most earth systems; e.g., the ice ages) and the Anthropocene (the period where humans have begun to dominant earth systems). The Chilean Patagonia region, like other high-latitude regions, is hyper-susceptible to changes in climate, and the Southern Patagonian icefield is shown to be more vulnerable to climate change than other glaciers. Unpredictable rain- and snow-fall, glacial melt, temperature shifts, fires and droughts can wreak havoc on slow-growing plant ecosystems. Climatic shifts have effect on the trophic webs, freshwater catchments, and farming and ranching operations.Understanding the geosphere, biosphere, the cryosphere (the frozen environment) and their interactions, we will weave the study of human action and impact throughout Earth Systems: our food systems, energy systems, and the nexus of water/energy/agriculture and climate. Chile is where climate change can be observed and measured in palpable ways.

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