Earth Systems Overview

The Earth is a system consisting of four major interacting components:

• the atmosphere,
• the biosphere,
• the hydrosphere, and
• the geosphere

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Let’s examine each of these four spheres in detail………

Earth Systems Overview

TEK: Define and identify the components of the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere and biosphere and the interactions among them (cycles).

The Atmosphere

The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the atmosphere.

• The atmosphere consists of four unique layers (the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere).
• The atmosphere reaches over 350 miles up from the surface of the Earth.
• The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%). Other components exist in small quantities.

The Biosphere

The biosphere is the “life zone” of the Earth, and includes all living organisms (including humans), and all organic matter that has not yet decomposed.

• The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy known as a food chain.
• Energy and nutrients, like carbon, are transferred from one level of the food chain to the next.

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere contains all the water found on our planet.

• Surface Water: Includes the ocean as well as water from lakes, rivers and creeks.
• Ground Water: Includes water trapped in the soil and groundwater.
• Atmosphere: water vapor.
• Frozen water: Includes ice caps and glaciers. Specifically called the cryosphere.
• Only about 3% of the water on Earth is “fresh” water, and about 70% of the fresh water is frozen in the form of glacial ice. (0.9% in liquid form)

Geosphere

The geosphere is the solid part of the earth, from the core to the surface.

• Includes volcanoes, rocks, minerals, coal, oil etc.
• Mineral resources are mined from the geosphere.

Earth System Science

Earth System Science is the study of how the four spheres of the Earth system interact continually, each affecting the others.

Example: A scientist that studies global warming is an Earth System Scientist.

System Interactions

Volcanoes (geosphere) erupt, sending ash and gases into the air (atmosphere) and sending lava and ash down onto surrounding forests (biosphere) and human habitations (biosphere).

Geosphere

Atmosphere

Biosphere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tesqNIXwamQ

System Interactions

Earthquakes (geosphere) can damage buildings which may kill people (biosphere), as well as cause fires which release gases into the air (atmosphere). Earthquakes in the ocean may cause a tsunami (hydrosphere) which can eventually hit land and kill both animals and people (biosphere).

Geosphere

Biosphere

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

System Interactions

Hurricane?

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Geosphere

Biosphere

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrxZ_UqQKyI Human Impact on Earth’s Systems

System Interactions

Hurricanes (atmosphere) sweep across the ocean (hydrosphere) and onto the land (geosphere), damaging the dwellings of people (biosphere) who live along the coast.

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Geosphere

Biosphere

CFA

1. Name the four main earth systems.

2. Which branch of science studies the interactions between these earth systems?

3. A forest fire would effect which earth systems?

Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere and Geosphere

Enviromental Science: Example is a scientist that studies global warming.

All four: Fires (Biosphere) will destroy plant and animal life while releasing smoke and other contaminants into the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere.