Four Spheres of the Earth Atmosphere Geosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere

A sphere is… … like a ball. …or a series of three dimensional circles

The meaning of the prefixes Geo means Rock Hydro means Water Atmo means Air Bio means Life

The atmosphere… … is the sphere of air that surrounds the earth.

Layers of the atmosphere

… is the sphere of water that covers 70% of the Earth. The Hydrosphere… … is the sphere of water that covers 70% of the Earth.

The hydrosphere is made up of all the salt water and fresh water on Earth. Salt water in the oceans and seas. Fresh water in the lakes, rivers and streams and the frozen water on Earth.

Hydrosphere continued… All liquid water runs down hill. It starts as fresh water in the high areas and runs down hill until it reaches the ocean.

The Geosphere… …is the sphere of rock that is the Earth.

This includes the rock on the surface and the interior.

The Biosphere… …is the sphere of living things on Earth.

Biosphere continued… This includes all the plants, animals, fungus, protists and bacteria on Earth.

Each of these spheres is also considered a system because they are always moving and being recycled. In the biosphere the life forms have a lifespan and when they die they provide nourishment for other organisms. In the geosphere, the rocks are endlessly being broken down, then recycled into new rocks.

In the hydrosphere, the water is endlessly moving, changing states and becoming refreshed. In the atmosphere, the air is continually rising, falling and mixing.

The spheres / systems are endlessly interacting. Can you think of ways that they interact?

How about the biosphere and the hydrosphere? All living things require water to live. Many animals live in the water. Animals like beavers can alter the path of the water.

Describe the spheres / systems that are interacting.

Describe the spheres / systems that are interacting.

Describe the spheres / systems that are interacting.