Earth's Spheres

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System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

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System

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A group of interacting parts or features that work together to perform a specific function or job.

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Example: A system is a specific part of the universe being studied, separated from its surroundings by a boundary. Earth's spheres are examples of systems.

Front

Sphere Noun

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[sfeer]

Back

Sphere

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A round object, used in Earth science to refer to one of the planet's major interacting systems.

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Example: The Earth is a sphere, a three-dimensional round shape. This image shows our planet, which is the basis for understanding Earth's different layers or 'spheres'.

Front

Geosphere Noun

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[jee-oh-sfeer]

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Geosphere

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The solid, rocky part of Earth, including non-living soil, rocks, minerals, continents, and the ocean floor.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth, labeling the crust, mantle, and core, which are the solid parts that make up the geosphere.

Front

Lithosphere Noun

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[lith-oh-sfeer]

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Lithosphere

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The rigid outer shell of the solid Earth, composed of the entire crust and the upper portion of the mantle.

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Example: This diagram shows the lithosphere as the solid, rocky outer layer of the Earth, forming the ground beneath the water, air, and living things.

Front

Hydrosphere Noun

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[hy-droh-sfeer]

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Hydrosphere

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All of Earth's water in its gas, liquid, or solid state, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

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Example: This diagram shows the hydrosphere as all of Earth's water, including oceans, rivers, groundwater, and clouds, and how it moves through the water cycle.

Front

Cryosphere Noun

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[kry-oh-sfeer]

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Cryosphere

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All the frozen water on Earth, including ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, and permanently frozen ground (permafrost).

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Example: This diagram shows the different forms of frozen water that make up the Earth's cryosphere, including glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and permafrost.

Front

Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muhs-feer]

Back

Atmosphere

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The envelope of gases surrounding Earth, protecting it from harmful radiation and providing gases necessary for life.

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Example: The Earth's atmosphere is a blanket of gases divided into distinct layers, each with unique altitudes and temperatures, from the ground up to space.

Front

Biosphere Noun

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[by-oh-sfeer]

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Biosphere

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The part of Earth that supports life, consisting of all living organisms and their interactions with other spheres.

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Example: This diagram shows that the biosphere is the zone of life on Earth, spanning across the land (lithosphere), water (hydrosphere), and air (atmosphere).

Front

Crust Noun

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[kruhst]

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Crust

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The outermost, thin, and solid layer of the Earth, made of rock and soil, which includes the tectonic plates.

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Example: This diagram shows the Earth's layers, with the crust being the thinnest, outermost solid layer where we live, located above the much thicker mantle.

Front

Mantle Noun

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[man-tl]

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Mantle

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The layer of Earth located beneath the crust, composed of hot, semi-solid rock that contains magma.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth, clearly labeling the mantle as the thick layer located between the thin outer crust and the core.