The 4 Spheres Biosphere Biosphere What is it

The 4 Spheres

Biosphere

Biosphere What is it? v A life supporting global ecosystem v Made up of all that is living on earth (plants, animals, fungi, single-cell organisms) Where is it? v Extends over Earth’s surface and reaches into the depths of the ocean and a few kilometers into the atmosphere

Lithosphere

Lithosphere What is it? v The solid part of the Earth that is made of tectonic plates, approximately 60 miles thick Where is it? v On the outer layer of the Earth

Tectonic Plate Boundaries Age-of-the-sage. org

Atmosphere

Atmosphere What is it? v The blanket of gases that surrounds Earth v Made of a mixture of gases, mostly nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide Where is it? v Extends from Earth’s surface to over 500 km above the surface of the planet

Hydrosphere

Hydrosphere What is it? v The liquid water component of the Earth v Includes oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams Where is it? v On 70% of the Earth’s surface

How Do the 4 Spheres Interact with Each Other? v 4 spheres are constantly interacting with each other Example: The Water Cycle

Chalk Talk 1. What are other ways the 4 spheres interact? Draw diagrams if relevant. 2. How does the interaction between the 4 spheres affect our daily lives? 3. Where do we see the interaction between the 4 spheres happening? 4. Why are the 4 spheres important?

Exit Ticket v Out of the 4 spheres, which do you think is the most important and why?