Earth Systems (Sir Joshua)

It is the “skeleton” of the planet. It is the largest of the four spheres, extending from the surface of the Earth to its very center (nearly 6,400 km deep).

It includes the crust, mantle, and core. On the surface, it manifests as mountains, volcanoes, valleys, and the ocean floor.

Movements within the geosphere (like plate tectonics) create _____ and drive the ____ cycle.

a unique part of the geosphere because it is a mixture of weathered rocks (geosphere), organic humus (biosphere), water (hydrosphere), and trapped air (atmosphere).

Earth is the “Blue Planet” because water covers approximately ___% of its surface.

About 97% of Earth’s water is ___ (oceans), while only 3% is ___ water (glaciers, rivers, lakes, and groundwater).

The ______ absorbs a massive amount of solar radiation, and ocean currents distribute this heat around the globe, regulating the planet’s temperature.

Often considered a subset of the hydrosphere, this includes all frozen water (ice caps and glaciers).

a relatively thin layer of gases held in place by Earth’s gravity.

It blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and burns up most meteors before they hit the ground.

It provides the ____ and _____ necessary for life and the ____ required for photosynthesis.

The ______ is the global sum of all ecosystems. It is the “sphere of life” that occupies the lower atmosphere, the surface of the geosphere, and the depths of the hydrosphere.

refers to physical substances (atoms and molecules) moving from one sphere to another.

refers to the “power” (usually heat or light) that drives the movement of matter.