Interactions Between Earth Spheres

The Earth System is all matter, energy, and processes in and on Earth. It can be divided into five main parts:

1. Geosphere

2. Hydrosphere

3. Cryosphere

4. Biosphere ​

5. Atmosphere

Notes: What is the Earth System?

The Geosphere is the solid non-living matter on Earth, from the core to the mountains. It is divided into 3 layers:

1. the crust

2. the mantle

3. the core

Notes: What is the Geosphere?

The Hydrosphere contains all of the liquid water in the Earth System, from the deepest reservoirs underground to the ocean to the clouds of condensation in the sky.

.

The Hydrosphere connects all of the Earth's Spheres through the Water Cycle.

The Water Cycle is the continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Notes: What is the Hydrosphere?

The homogenous mixture of gases that we commonly refer to as air is the atmosphere. It consists of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% of other gases.

It shields the Earth from radiation and insulates the Earth to regulate our temperature.

It is made up of four layers: The Troposphere (where we live and exist), the Stratosphere (where the Ozone layer is), the Mesosphere (where meteors burn up), and the Thermosphere (where the temperature increases because of the amount of solar radiation that it absorbs).

Notes: What is the Atmosphere?

Weather is the atmospheric conditions in a specific area at a specific time (AKA SHORT TERM)
Climate refers to the AVERAGE atmospheric conditions in a specific area OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

These conditions can vary based on the interactions between the atmosphere and hydrosphere, and over time these can drive the biosphere in different directions

Notes: How do Earth's Spheres Interact?

Summary: Give an example of how the Hydrosphere affects each of the other spheres in the Earth System.