Earth as a SYSTEM

SYSTEM - A set of interconnected components that are

interacting to form a unified whole.
Water Cycle

EXAMPLE of a system- ECOSYSTEM.

(Organisms are interrelated and interacting)
The Earth system is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM.

A closed system is a system in which

there is only an exchange of heat or
energy and no exchange of matter.

The Earth receives energy from the sun and

returns some of this energy to space.
Components or subsystems
of the Earth system
THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMS
Biosphere Hydrosphere

Geosphere Atmosphere
 Major Themes

SCALE ENERGY CYCLE

 Major Themes

Scale

Processes in the Earth system act on length scales

of microns to thousands of kilometers, and on
time scales of milliseconds to millions of years.
 Major Themes

Energy
The Earth system is powered by one external source: the
Sun

and two internal ones:

- radioactive decay
- gravitational energy (heat still being lost from
planetary formation).
 Major Themes

Cycles

Material in the Earth system is continually recycled in

numerous overlapping cycles.
The
Carbon
Cycle
The Hydrologic (Water)
Cycle
 Biosphere

Includes all life

forms on Earth

It covers all ecosystems—from the soil to the

rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs,
and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the
deep sea.
 Photosynthesis

The Carbon Cycle

It’s Film showing Time !
James Lovelock used
the "Daisy World Model"
to illustrate how the
biosphere is capable of
regulating its
environment.

The Albedo Effect …

Hydrosphere

Dynamic mass of
water that is
continuously on the
move
 1. About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid
water (hydrosphere) and much of it is in the
form of ocean water.
2. Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: two-thirds
are in the form of ice, and the remaining
one-third is present in streams, lakes, and
groundwater.

The Hydrologic (Water)

Cycle
Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Infiltration, etc...
Hydrologic Cycle

Condensation, Precipitation, Evaporation, Transpiration,

Infiltration, Surface Runoff.
Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the

thin gaseous layer that
envelopes the
lithosphere.

The present atmosphere is composed of 78%

nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9%
argon, and trace amount of other gases.
One of the most important processes by
which the heat on the Earth's surface is
redistributed is through atmospheric
circulation.
 Geosphere

The Solid Earth

extends from the

surface to the center
 Connect to Earth

Create a concept map which explains how

the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere,
and biosphere are interconnected.

Use arrows and simple illustrations.

4.6 Billion Years of
Interaction
Geosphere

Hydrosphere Biosphere

Atmosphere
LITHOSPHERE

The lithosphere
includes the crust and
the upper part of the
mantle.
Layers of the Earth

CRUST (continental &

oceanic)

MANTLE (upper & lower)

CORE (outer & inner)

Which layer is it?
 CRUST

- It’s the light and very thin outer

skin of the Earth.
- The outermost layer where energy
and mineral resources are derived.
Different elements that
compose the Earth’s CRUST
 Oxygen 46.60
 Silicon 27.72
 Aluminum 8.13
 Iron 5.00
 Calcium 3.63
 Sodium 2.83
 Potassium 2.59
 Magnesium 2.09
 Titanium 0.40
 Hydrogen 0.14
MANTLE

- Less dense layer

- Made up of silicate rocks, mostly
made of the elements silicon,
oxygen, iron and magnesium.
 CORE

- Denser layer
- the Earth’s magnetic field
- the Earth’s outer core is
molten/liquid.
It Rocks!!!!
Rocks
Rocks are naturally occurring aggregates
or combination of minerals and
mineraloids (eg. Fossils and glass.)

Building Blocks:
Minerals
Rocks
Lithosphere
 Types of Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed through cooling of
magma or lava.

It can be formed in three ways:

1. Below the surface or Intrusive Igneous Rocks):

from a slowly cooling magma; rocks formed have
good crystallization (coarse grained), and may
become plutonic rocks (e.g. granite)
2. On the surface or Extrusive Igneous rocks: from
fast cooling lava with no visible crystals (fine-
grained) and may become volcanic rocks 9e.g.
basalt and andesite).
3. On the surface: from consolidation of particles
erupted by explosive volcanic activity.
Igneous Rocks
 Types of Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks are formed
through accumulation of materials like
eroded soil, weathered rocks, or
fossils in a process called
“Deposition.”

Lithification is when this

accumulated materials solidifies.
Sedimentary Rocks
 Types of Rocks
3 Ways of Formation of
sedimentary Rocks:

1. On the surface
2. On the sea and river beds, and ocean
floors
3. Below the surface
 Types of Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks are formed
due to exposure of igneous or
sedimentary rocks to high
temperature and pressure. (e.g.
Marble, quartzite)

Metamorphic rocks are formed below

the surface of the earth.

Prior to Metamorphism, original rock

is called Protolith.
quiz
1. earth as a system, has components which are
interacting to form a unified whole. These
components are also called _________.
a. Earth system b. earth subsystems
c. earth circulations d. none of these

2. The hydrosphere is known as the dynamic mass of

water that is continously on the move. What do you
call the solid part od the hydrosphere?
b. Lithosphere b. icesphere
c. hydrosphere d. cryosphere
3. Magma is said to be formed below the surface of the
earth. What layers do they form?
a. Inner core and outer core
b. Outer core and crust
c. Outer core and lower mantle
d. Outer core and upper mantle
4. The crust, as the outermost layer of the lithospere, is
compost mainly of what elements?
c. Silicon and oxygen c. oxygen and nitrogen
d. Silicon and iron d. silicon and nitrogen
5. The atmosphere is rich with what gas?
a. Hydrogen b. nitrogen c. oxygen
6-7. why is earth a close system?
8-10. the three types of rocks.
11. Igneous rocks may be formed below the surface of
the earth with large crystal formations. What you call
this type of igneous rock?
b. Intensive b. extrusive c. intrusive
12. Sediments accumulate on the riverbeds forming
sedimentary rocks. The process of accumulation of
sediments is called _______.
a. Lithificationb.sedimentarion c. deposition
Complete the sentence.

13-15. Metamorphic rocks are formed from

sedimentary or igneous rocks which was exposed too
extreme 13.________ and 14._________. The material
from which a metamorphic rock came is called
15._________
 Classifications of Rocks
• Texture – refers to the size, shape, and
arrangement of mineral grains and other
constituents, which are controlled by
processes involved in the formation of rock.

Rocks classified accdg to grain size:

- Aphanitic rocks – grain size is too small

to see of identify.
- Phaneritic rocks – grain size is big
enough to see.
 Rock-Forming Minerals
Minerals are composed of
elements such as those found
in the periodic table of
elements. They may have their
own uniqueness but in
totality, they exhibit the
following characteristics:
Characteristics or Rock-forming Minerals

1. They are naturally occurring

chemical element or compound,
2. They are inorganic,
3. Although not fixed, each mineral
has a definite chemical composition
which can be described by a
chemical formula, and
4. Each mineral’s structure arranges
atoms in a crystalline pattern.
 Physical Property of
Rock-Forming Minerals
• Luster is the quality of light on the surface of
a rock, crystal, or mineral.
• Color is caused by the absorption of visible
light by their crystalline structure.
• Streak is the color of powdered mineral
produced when it is dragged across an
unweathered surface.
• Hardness is the ability of a miineral to resist
abrasion.
• Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to split
along planes of weakness
 Moh’s Hardness Scale
• Hardness is the ability of a mineral to resist
abrasion.
Cleavage Direction in Common Minerals
 What are rocks made of?
 What do ROCKS MAKE UP?