L4: Earth Subsystems
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how many subsystems make up the Earth system?
5
what are the 5 subsystems that make up the Earth system?
atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere
what defines the outer boundary of the Earth’s system?
top of the atmosphere
what defines the inner boundary of the Earth’s system?
the whole Earth interior
is the sun within or outside the Earth system?
lies outside of the Earth system
what drives plate tectonics?
geothermal heat
what fuels the Earth’s internal heat source?
radioactive decay and heat remaining from the accretion of the planet
large amounts of … are exchanged across the top of the atmosphere but relatively little …
energy matter
how many tonnes of meteroic material crosses into the Earth system per day?
44
what role does the Sun play in the Earth system?
provides majority of the energy that drives the Earth system but is not itself affected by the Earth system
what type of atoms escape Earth’s gravity and into space?
hydrogen
how many layers make up the atmosphere?
4
what are the 4 layers of the atmosphere?
-thermosphere -mesosphere -stratosphere -troposphere (Earth)
what are the main processes in the terrestrial hydrological cycle?
evaporation from ocean surface –> condensation in clouds –> precipitation –> enters soil –> enters river catchment -> discharged through an estuary –> back into the ocean
what is the greatest volumetric component of the hydrosphere?
the ocean
what is an ice shelf?
the floating tongue/large expanse of ice emanating around the margins of an ice sheet
what are some examples of components included within the cryosphere?
ice caps, snow, sea ice, iceberg, ice shelf, ice sheet, permafrost, glacier, lake/river ice
what is permafrost?
the freeing of interstitial water within soil and sediments
what is the biosphere?
parts of the earth system e.g. atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere capable of supporting life
what is another componement of the biosphere?
the deep biosphere