Earth science is a wonderful way to learn more about our planet's worth in supplying our daily requirements of life. Understanding the different areas of how our resources work can give you an insight never imagined. Caves, glaciers, earthquakes, rivers, and volcanoes are just a few of the intriguing subjects that can be explored with this green career.

Exploring caves delves into the geology, cartography and hydrology of their making and survival since the beginning of time. There are five different basic types of caves and each one has its own story to tell. Whether an epigenic, hypogenic, lava tube, tectonic or boulder cave, the history of their making and what they have kept in store for so many years is fascinating as you continue with this green career.

Glaciers are formed through repeated freezing and thawing of snow layers. There are two different types of glaciers. The first type is a warm glacier that has a layer of melt water that lubricates its surface. In contrast, cold glaciers have little or no melt water and only flow internally. Glaciers represent about 75% of the world's fresh water supply that covers 10% of the earth's surface. Studying the composition, changes in atmospheric and seawater circulation changes presents great information on the causes and effects of glacial cycles by using glaciers as they reform to certain conditions.

Earthquakes are caused by plate tectonics. Molten rock from the earth's center forms into a film that floats on its surface, forming plates. The plates move with the rising heat and spreads out on the surface. The earth's crust consists of a number of sections or plates that float on the molten rock of the mantle. These plates move on convection currents caused by heat rising from the center of the earth. The hot magma rises and spreads out on the surface, creating new crust. How these plates interact with each other and different areas of the earth's surface and pressure points is the basis for earthquakes. This is quite an interesting study.

Rivers are our natural watercourse, flowing toward an ocean, lake or sea, or another river. Part of the hydrological cycle, a river is usually formed by precipitation through surface runoff, groundwater springs or melting glaciers. Habitats for creatures, a source of food and navigation can be thanked for our freshwater rivers. Their protection is utmost in man's survival. A green career in rivers can help understand the benefits, how to protect and how to discover and head off problems in the future.

Volcanoes are a puzzle to most. A rupture in the planet's surface, allows hot, molten rock, ash and gases to escape from below the surface. Usually found where the plate tectonics are counteracting with one another and where there is a known hot spot, pressure is released through the surface occasionally, causing an eruption. There are several different types of volcanoes including lava domes, cryptodomes, volcanic cones, stratovolcanoes, supervolcanoes, submarine volcanoes, subglacial volcanoes and mud volcanoes.

Green careers offer much about our planet and its workings. There are hundreds of subjects available in green careers and the observations and learning can be a welcome journey to those who want to help our planet thrive.