The Four Spheres of Earth

The Earth's 4 Spheres

Taylor Sheller

The Four Spheres:

All the elements and properties in the Earth’s system are divided into four major subsystems or spheres which are called:  

•Lithosphere 
•Atmosphere 
•Hydrosphere 
•Biosphere

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT one of the Earth's 4 Spheres?

• Lithosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Dinosphere

• Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

• The hydrosphere contains all the solid, liquid and gaseous water of the planet.

• About 97% of the earth’s water is salty and only a small portion is non-salty.

Biosphere

• The biosphere of earth includes all living things on planet Earth like animals, plants and microorganisms. 

• There are different ecological communities divided in six main biomes which are desert, aquatic, forest, grassland, tundra and chaparral.

•  It is the biggest one of all four spheres of earth.

Lithosphere

• The lithosphere/ Geosphere can be defined as the outer boundary layer of solid earth and discontinuity within the mantle. 

• It is a crustal system composed of various layers which are core, mantle and outer crust. It is also known as geosphere.

Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is a complex fluid system of gases and suspended particles. 

• This fluid system forms a gaseous envelope around the earth with no defined boundaries. 

• The total volume of atmosphere is made up of gases like nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor etc.

Poll

Which of the spheres do you think we, as humans belong to?

• Biosphere

• Lithosphere

• Atmosphere

• Hydrosphere

Open Ended

Can you think of an example of the ways the spheres might interact?

Interaction Example

Multiple Select

What are ways humans may positively affect the four spheres?

• walking/ riding a bike instead of using a car

• recycling

• leaving the lights on when you are not using them

• conserving water

Multiple Select

What are ways humans may negatively affect the four spheres?

• littering

• using public transportation

• causing pollution

• using refillable water bottles