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Earth Systems Overview
The Earth is a system consisting of fourmajor interacting
components:
the atmosphere,
the biosphere,
the hydrosphere, and
the geosphere
Lets examine each of these fourspheres in detail
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/9801/earthmoon_near_big.jpg
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The Atmosphere
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket ofair, which we call the
atmosphere.
The atmosphere consists of fourunique layers (the troposphere,
the
stratosphere, the mesosphere, and thethermosphere).
The atmosphere reaches over 560kilometers (348 miles) up from
thesurface of the Earth.
The atmosphere is primarilycomposed of nitrogen (about 78%)
andoxygen (about 21%). Othercomponents exist in small
quantities.
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HydrosphereThe hydrospherecontains all the waterfound on our
planet.
Water found on the surface of our planetincludes the ocean as
well as water from lakesand rivers, streams, and creeks.
Water found under the surface of our planetincludes water
trapped in the soil andgroundwater.
Water found in our atmosphere includeswater vapor.
Frozen water on our planet includes ice capsand glaciers.
Only about 3% of the water on Earth isfresh water, and about 70%
of the fresh
water is frozen in the form of glacial ice.
http://water.tamu.edu/images/roundwatercycle.jpg
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Geosphere
Thegeosphereis the solidEarththat includes the continentaland
ocean crust as well the variouslayers of Earths interior.
94% of the Earth is composed ofthe elements oxygen, silicon,
andmagnesium.
The geopsphere is not static(unchanging), but its surface
(crust) is in a constant state ofmotion.
Mineral resources are minedfrom the geosphere.
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Earth System Science
Earth System Scienceis the study of how thefour spheres of the
Earthsystem interactcontinually, each
affecting the others.
Lets look at a couple of
examples of how achange in one system (orsphere) affects
otherEarth systems.
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System Interactions
Volcanoes (geosphere) erupt, sendingash and gases into the air
(atmosphere)and sending lava and ash down onto
surrounding forests (biosphere) andhuman habitations
(biosphere).
Geosphere
Atmosphere Biosphere
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/9801/earthmoon_near_big.jpg
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System Interactions
Hurricanes (atmosphere) sweepacross the ocean (hydrosphere)
andonto the land (geosphere), damaging
the dwellings of people (biosphere)who live along the coast.
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Biosphere
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System Interactions
QuickTime and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this
picture.
Earthquakes (geosphere) can damagebuildings which may kill
people(biosphere), as well as cause fires whichrelease gases into
the air (atmosphere).Earthquakes in the ocean may cause atsunami
(hydrosphere) which caneventually hit land and kill both animalsand
people (biosphere).
Geosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
