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Creating an
Earth System I

Creating an Earth System:

Interactions in the Earth System

Interactions of Spheres:

The Earth is made of several subsystems or "spheres" that interact to form a complex and continuously changing whole called the Earth system.

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

 

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

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.

Humans and the Earth System

People are part of the Earth system and they impact and are impacted by its materials and processes.

Brainstorming Activity

Can you think of some examples of interactions between two or more 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

 

 

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