What is hydrosphere?

The hydrosphere is the liquid water component of the Earth. It includes the oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams….. It includes ground water, surface water and water in the air. The hydrosphere covers about 70% of

the surface of the Earth and is the home for many plants and animals.

(Hydro=water in Greek)

Ground waterGroundwater is all the water found underneath theEarths surface. This water comes mostly from rain, melted snow, and other water that seeps through soil,sand, or the cracks in the sidewalk.

Thanks to gravity, the water just keeps moving downward, underneath the Earths surface, until it cant go any farther. When the water hits a layer of rock or earth it cant get through, it just sits there and builds up. This tub of water underneath the surface is called an aquifer. Groundwater can eventually seep back up to the surface. You’ll find it peeking out of the Earth in things like springs and wetlands.

Surface water

• Surface water is water on the surface of the planet such as in a stream, river, lake, wetland, or ocean.

Oceanic Waters

• Oceans and seas contain about 97% of the water on the Planet Earth.

• There are five oceans: Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and the Antarctic Ocean.

• They are big masses of salt water.

Label the oceans on your worksheet.