Earth Systems / Spheres
Earth Systems / Spheres
source http://penguin-personal.blogspot.com.au/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/dynamic/session4/sess4_interactions.htm
http://www2.geog.ucl.ac.uk/~plewis/teaching/systems/p3.html
The Earth is made of several systems or "spheres" that interact.
Scale
Processes operating in the Earth system take place on spatial scales varying from fractions of millimeters to thousands of kilometers, and on time scales that range from milliseconds to billions of years.- Examples of instantaneous - breathing; rotation of the Earth; earthquake
- Examples of long term - making coal; plate tectonics
| Geosphere (lithosphere): | all of the rocks and "hard parts" of the Earth |
| Hydrosphere: | all of Earth's water |
| Biosphere: | all living things |
| Atmosphere: | the blanket of gases surrounding the planet |
| Cosmosphere: | the universe surrounding the Earth |
Cycles
The Earth system is characterized by numerous overlapping cycles in which matter is recycled over and over again. Cycles involve multiple spheres and systems interactions.Examples of cycles: day and night; rock cycle; seasons
Energy
The Earth system is powered by energy from two major sources: the Sun and the planet's internal heat.Interaction of Spheres
| |
Atmosphere | Geosphere | Hydrosphere | Biosphere |
| Atmosphere | |
Ozone change | Ozone change El Nino |
Ozone change; photosynthesis |
| Geosphere | Hurricanes; tsunamis; volcanoes; wave action | Volcanic eruptions | Hurricanes; tsunamis; tectonics; erosion; volcanoes Earthquakes; wave action |
Hurricanes; tsunami; coal, nutrient cycles; volcanoes |
| Hydrosphere | El Nino | Waves | Wave action | photosynthesis |
| Biosphere | |
|
photosynthesis | |