Earth Systems Earth is a system The boundary

Earth Systems

Earth is a system • The boundary of the earth system surrounds the entire planet, including the atmosphere. • The earth system includes all the matter, energy, and processes within this boundary. • The earth system includes nonliving things such as water, rocks, and air, as well as living things such as trees, animals and people. • The transfer of energy from the sun and earth’s interior drive the transfer of matter among the subsystems. • • • Earth’s systems can be divided into four major subsystems: 1 -The geosphere 2 -The hydrosphere 3 -The atmosphere 4 -The biosphere

Geosphere • Nearly all the mass of the earth is in the geosphere, the earth subsystems that include rocks, minerals, and landforms. • The geosphere is constantly changing. • Thermal energy changes the surface of the earth by creating mountains and volcanoes. • Erosion by wind and water wear landforms and shape rivers, lakes and canyons.

Hydrosphere • The hydrosphere is all the water on earth such as rivers, lakes, rain water in clouds and underground water. • Ninety seven percent of the hydrosphere is salt water. • The cryosphere is a subsystem made up of all the frozen water on earth such as snow and glaciers.

Atmosphere • The atmosphere is the mixture of gases that surround Earth. • It’s about 78% Nitrogen gas, 21% Oxygen and 1% carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases. • The atmosphere absorbs some of the energy from the sun. This energy warms Earth and makes life possible. • Earth’s rotation and uneven warming by the sun result in different weather patterns.

Biosphere • The biosphere is made up of living things, including all the plants, animals, and microorganisms. • Living things depend on other living things and nonliving things in their environment to exist. • The sun is the source of energy for green plants and other organisms that produce food using photosynthesis. • Matter and energy move through • the biosphere as living things eat, • grow, breathe, and move.

Anthropsphere • The anthroposphere includes the total human presence on Earth, including built structures, technologies, activities, economy, and culture.