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Discover the diverse features of Earth's lithosphere and hydrosphere. Learn about the various types of rocks that make up the lithosphere - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Explore the distribution of water on Earth's surface, with more than 70% covered by water. Dive into the hydrosphere, including the different types of water and the fascinating underground aquifers and springs.
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Chapter 1.2 Earth’s Land and Water
The lithosphere varies in thickness from about 10 to 200 kilometers (km). • Three main types of rocks make up the lithosphere; igneous rock, sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock. • Igneous Rock – when liquid rock cools, it solidifies to become this type of rock. • The lava that flows from a volcano can cool to form the igneous rock basalt. • Liquid rock that cools deep within Earth can form the igneous rock granite.
Sedimentary Rock – Rocks break down slowly over time, the tiny pieces are called sediment. As layers of sediment accumulate, they become compressed and cemented in to sedimentary rock. Examples; Limestone and Sandstone. • Metamorphic Rock – Rock that has been transformed by heat and pressure. Examples; Marble and Slate.
More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water. • More than 97% of the hydrosphere is salt water. • Fresh water takes up less than 3% of the hydrosphere. • There are two types of fresh water: • Surface water – water in lakes, streams, and rain runoff. • Ground water – found beneath the surface of Earth and moves very slowly through small spaces and between rocks.
An underground layer of porous rock that contains water is called an aquifer. • When an aquifer reaches the surface of the ground, it is considered a natural spring. • Wells in which water flows to the surface due to high pressure underground are called artesian wells.