Basic Earth Science and Society - Basic Research Opportunities in Earth Science - page 4

of the Earth Science Division of NSF, assesses cross-disciplinary connections,
and discusses the linkages between basic research and societal needs. Some
general perspectives on these topics are given in this introductory chapter. The
current EAR program is described in Appendix A . Chapter 2 (“ Science
Opportunities ”) surveys emerging fields of research and major scientific
objectives that can now be addressed because of advances in theory,
instrumentation, models, and data analysis. The committee's assessment of these
science opportunities draws on the literature, workshop reports, direct
experience, and letters from individuals. The names of committee correspondents
and workshop reports are given in Appendix B . In Chapter 3 (“ Findings and
Recommendations ”), the committee compares the science goals described in
Chapter 2 with the stated objectives of EAR and suggests new programmatic
directions where needed. The rationale for the initiatives is laid out in the context
of the current NSF structure, with particular emphasis on potential
interconnections, both within and outside the EAR programs.

APPLICATIONS OF BASIC EARTH SCIENCE TO NATIONAL
PROBLEMS

NSF-sponsored basic research generates new understanding about the Earth
that applies directly to national strategic needs. Basic research in Earth science
affects human welfare in five major areas:

1. discovery, use, and conservation of natural resources—fuels, minerals,

soils, water,

2. characterization and mitigation of natural hazards—earthquakes,

floods and droughts, landslides, tsunamis, volcanoes,

3. geoscience-based engineering—urban development, agriculture,

materials engineering,

4. stewardship of the environment—ecosystem management, adaptation

to environmental changes, remediation, and moderation of adverse
human effects, and

5. terrestrial surveillance for national security—arms control treaty

verification, precise positioning, mapping, subsurface remote sensing.

Many of these strategic issues concern the near-surface environment, where
interactions between rock, soil, air, water, and biota determine the availability of
nearly every life-sustaining resource. This special interfacial region of mass and
energy flux, which comprises terrestrial, lacustrine, and marine components of
the uppermost continental crust, is here called the “Critical Zone.” The Critical
Zone is one of two primary loci of life on this