The Earth Systems

The Earth is traditionally divided into three spheres

(Geosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere). With the
coming of an additional unit/sphere, the Biosphere, these
units interact with each other and influences the way they
look through time.
The Geosphere
The largest of the four spheres
Compromises the solid portion of the earth
It extends 6,400 kilometers from the surface down to
the core.
Different Layers of the Geosphere
Crust
Mantle
Core
Crust
Earth’s thin and rocky outer skin
Is divided into two types based on composition and
physical properties:
- Oceanic Crust
- Continental Crust
Oceanic Continenta
Crust l Crust

Usually found
beneath oceans and Mostly land
large bodies of water

Made up of basaltic Made up mostly of

rocks granite rocks

Thickness may
Rich in
exceed 70 km
ferromagnesian
(especially in
materials (iron and
mountainous
magnsesium)
regions)

Thickness is 7 km
Mantle
Compromises more than 82% of the earth’s total volume
Rocks found here are related to denser elements such as
magnesium and iron (similar to oceanic crust)
Due to the pressure differences between mantle near the
surface and at deeper depths, it is subdivided into upper
and lower mantle
Upper Mantle - Extends from the bottom of the crust to
a depth of 660 kilometers
Lower Mantle – Extends 2,900 kilometers to the top of
the core (more rigid portion of the mantle)
Upper Mantle
Divided into ‘stiff’
lithosphere and ‘plastic’
asthenosphere
Lithosphere – the stiff
portion of the upper
mantle and the entire
crust
Asthenosphere – a
weaker layer beneath
lithosphere
Core
The sink of dense elements (iron and nickel)
The deepest portion of the earth with a radius
approximately 3,400 kilometers
Divided into two regions using their physical
properties – outer core and inner core
Outer Core – represents the liquid portion of the core
where the movement of iron is believed to be
generating Earth’s magnetic field
Inner Core – a solid part that is an alloy of iron and
nickel
Core
The Hydrosphere
Accounting for more than 70% of the Earth’s surface
area
Hydrosphere is not only our oceans, rivers, lakes and
seas but groundwater, which is underground and
hidden from our sight, and ice caps that is locked in
polar regions and mountains in high altitudes are also
part of this delicate cycle
Hydrologic Cycle/ Water Cycle
The Atmosphere
Is the layer of gaseous envelope that surrounds the
planet on the surface and extends thinly into space
Most of the gases are found near the surface and
decreases away from the planet with increasing
altitude
The set of processes occurring within the atmosphere
are – weather and climate
It provides the exchange of gases we need for
respiration and also protects us from too much
ultraviolet radiation from the sun
Layers of the Atmosphere
Troposphere – is the lowest layer closest to the earth’s
surface and extends up to around 11 kilometers
- densest layer of the atmosphere where
most gases are located
- includes majority of weather and
climate controls in the atmosphere
Stratosphere – Where the ozone layer is found and
extends for 50 km high
- Ozone layer = absorbs most ultraviolet
radiation from the sun before they come in contact to
the surface of the Earth
Layers of the Atmosphere
Mesosphere – extends up to 85 kilometers high
- acts as a layer for meteors to burn
because of the increasing density of the atmosphere
Thermosphere – The second to the last layer
– The density of gas molecules is very
low compared to the troposphere
Exosphere – the last layer
- has no definite end and merges with space
- where most satellites are found
The Biosphere
Includes all forms of life on Earth including the ones
found in the deepest parts of the ocean to the highest
parts of the atmosphere
We are all part of the delicate interaction between the
atmosphere, geosphere and hydroshpere
Without biosphere, the rest of other spheres would
not look like the way they are now
But at the same time the planet along with the other
spheres change accordingly to our inputs, this fragile
connection with out planet is something that we must
protect for survival for future generations