Terrestrial Geosystems

What shapes a coastline? What shapes a landscape? Can wind be as effective a landscape modifier as water? How do streams erode the land, and what do they carry? Why do some beaches have white sand while others have red or even black sand? Can we learn anything about past climates from limey residues in caves? How does groundwater flow, and what happens when it is contaminated? Do the Great Lakes house mysteries about Earth's past biota? These are some of the questions addressed in this topic room.

Geosystems on land are diverse and continually changing. They result from processes originating deep in the Earth's interior (like plate tectonics) but are subsequently molded into shape through the interaction of rocks with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere.

To develop a rich understanding of Earth's terrestrial geosystems, begin with this introductory overview, and then explore the many articles below. Investigate the processes behind beach and dune formation, and how winds, as well as water, shape the coastline. Learn why streams have different flows, and how they carve out their valleys and make their own ways. Read how landfills contaminate groundwater, and how this contamination is assessed. Explore caves and karstic regions. Learn about different kinds of aquifers and their importance for humanity. Jump into the Great Lakes and discover the chemosynthetic organisms there which give us clues about early life on our planet.