70 likes | 204 Views
Spheres. 1/7/10 Tiffany Schell. Lithosphere. The crust and upper mantle of earth Plate tectonics- a theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates. Volcanism- volcanic force or activity.
E N D
Spheres 1/7/10 Tiffany Schell
Lithosphere • The crust and upper mantle of earth • Plate tectonics- a theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates. • Volcanism- volcanic force or activity. • Earthquakes- vibration of earth’s crust created by the abrupt rupture of rocks. • Continental Drift-movement of continents by the crustal plates.
Hydrosphere • The water surrounding earth’s surface. • Water Cycle- cycle of earth's water as it evaporates from bodies of water, condenses, precipitates, and returns to those bodies of water. Hydrosphere consists of: • Rivers- streams of water flowing into other bodies of water. • Aquifers- geological formations containing ground water. • Precipitation- any form of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, falling to earth’s surface.
Atmosphere • The gas surrounding the earth’s surface. • Pressure decreases with height. • Layers: • 1. Troposphere contains half of the atmosphere’s mass. Almost all of the earth’s weather occurs here. • 2. Stratosphere is where many airplanes fly. It contains the ozone layer. • 3. Mesosphere contains the coldest part of the atmosphere. Many rock fragments from space burn up here. • 4. Thermosphere is where the space shuttle orbits. The air is vey thin and the temperature can get up to 1500° C. • 5. Exosphere is the last layer of the atmosphere where atoms escape into space.
Atmosphere • Functions: • 1. Saves earth from harmful rays. • 2. Controls the temperature. • 3. Holds the important gases. • Present atmosphere is probably not the original atmosphere.
Biosphere • The part of the earth’s crust, water, and atmosphere that supports life. • Consists of all living things including plants and animals. • Microorganisms are also part of the biosphere. • The biosphere is divided into a number of different biomes. • The biosphere is believed to have started to evolve about 3.5 billion years ago.
Interaction of Spheres • Pollution-harmful products put into the earth, water or air. Interaction between biosphere and lithosphere, hydrosphere or atmosphere. • Erosion-the process in which the surface of the earth is warn away. Interaction between lithosphere and hydrosphere, atmosphere or biosphere. • Flooding-overflowing of water. Interaction between hydrosphere and lithosphere. • Wildfire - a large fire that spreads fast and is hard to put out. Interaction between biosphere and atmosphere. • Tsunami –a large sea wave produced by a quake or undersea volcano. Interaction between lithosphere and hydrosphere.