<aside> 💡 This page is intended for students who have completed all prior ESP readings (Units 1-7) and/or who are ready to explore more complicated Earth science topics.

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<aside> ⚠️ If you have not completed the live Earth Science Program, you may have to discuss access to some of the materials by reaching out.

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In my experience, the most engaging part of learning Earth science takes place after you master the fundamental material. You’ll get to apply your knowledge to more complex situations and really examine the mechanisms of Earth. This page will help you on that journey.

Texts

The first step to engage more with Earth science is to learn more! The texts below are listed roughly in order of decreasing complexity and importance (in terms of making the US Earth Science Team). They are sourced from textbooks recommended by former US Team members.

<aside> 💡 If you spot any errors, please reach out! This includes areas where you think explanations could be clearer, etc.

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<aside> ⚠️ Please do not directly distribute Archive material without reaching out first. You may, however, share links to the Archive.

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• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ee5BQTtBlCQi0XWYtvTu04UrMsWn5TNwKxdPgkCxtSw/edit?usp=sharing (~150 pages)
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DVssuhci1rX745DuZedNFdizZZCRlyMOPYat0Iey1So/edit?usp=sharing (~90 pages)
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fLzKc9IUtpqCVIkURRNwsObvDxDCOM45L08Uy9d2Sf8/edit?usp=sharing (~80 pages)

The notes were designed to encapsulate most of the important concepts in the textbooks. However, it’s recommend that you reference the relevant textbook and do additional research for “bigger” and more complex concepts, especially if you’re studying to make the US Team.

Advice

<aside> 💡 This advice is intended for advanced students looking to do well on exams at USESO Training Camp.

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You might be wondering about the lack of geology in the list of texts above.

• Earth Science by Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa is the cited introductory textbook in the Unofficial USESO Guide and covers basic geology.
• Some consider Earth: Portrait of a Planet by Marshak to be a more detailed resource (i.e. the “advanced material” for geology). Emmanuel generally concurs and has synthesized both textbooks in creating the ESP readings.

You might notice that there’s a non-negligible amount of geochemistry on Training Camp exams.

• Popular resources are the online Tulane EENS Lecture Notes, particularly the ones regarding petrology. Focus specifically on the handout covering ****simple phase diagrams.
• Another resource that may be useful are these lectures by William Daniel.

Taking past camp exams is extremely helpful if your goal is to make the US Team.