Earth science has been profoundly transformed in the direction of system science. Grasping the development trend of earth science is helpful for understanding the general direction of earth science research. This paper inquires into the trend of earth science development, focusing on two frontier issues in earth science, geodynamics and superlarge deposits. Geodynamics is pivotal for studying earth formation and evolution, including lithospheric plate dynamics, mantle dynamics, core dynamics and core- mantle dynamics. The key to geodynamic studies is the power source of earth, involving integrity of the whole earth and interactions of earth spheres. Superlarge deposits, especially non- conventional ones, are formed with specific factors under specific conditions. The formation mechanism of superlarge deposits is also related to the interaction of earth spheres. Based on discussion of the aforementioned issues, earth science is considered to develop toward holistic and systematic orientation. Studies of a single earth sphere cannot meet the requirement of earth science development. Earth science research needs to be oriented toward systemization.

earth system science  /  geodynamics  /  superlarge mineral deposits