The document discusses the four major spheres that make up the Earth system: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. It provides details on the composition and features of each individual sphere. The document then explains that Earth system science studies how these four spheres interact with and influence each other, providing examples of these interactions and their effects, such as volcanoes emitting gases into the atmosphere and hurricanes causing damage on land and in the ocean.

1. Origin and Structure of
the Earth
(The Subsystem)

2. Why do we need to know about
Earth’s spheres?

3. Earth Systems Overview
The Earth is a system consisting of four
major interacting components:
• the atmosphere,
• the biosphere,
• the hydrosphere, and
• the geosphere
Let’s examine each of these four
spheres in detail………

4. The Atmosphere
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket
of air, which we call the atmosphere.
• The atmosphere consists of four
unique layers (the troposphere, the
stratosphere, the mesosphere, and
the thermosphere).
• The atmosphere reaches over 350
miles up from the surface of the
Earth.
• The atmosphere is primarily
composed of nitrogen (about 78%)
and oxygen (about 21%). Other
components exist in small quantities.

5. The Biosphere
The biosphere is the “life zone” of the Earth, and
includes all living organisms (including humans), and all
organic matter that has not yet decomposed.
• The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy known as a
food chain.
• Energy and nutrients, like carbon, are transferred from
one level of the food chain to the next.

6. Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the water
found on our planet.
• Surface Water: Includes the ocean as well
as water from lakes, rivers and creeks.
• Ground Water: Includes water trapped in
the soil and groundwater.
• Atmosphere: water vapor.
• Frozen water: Includes ice caps and
glaciers. Also called the cryosphere.
• Only about 3% of the water on Earth is
“fresh” water, and about 70% of the fresh
water is frozen in the form of glacial ice.
(0.9% in liquid form)

7. Geosphere
The geosphere is the solid
part of the earth, from the
core to the surface.
• Includes volcanoes, rocks,
minerals, coal, oil etc.
•Mineral resources are mined
from the geosphere.

8. Earth System Science
Earth System Science
is the study of how the
four spheres of the Earth
system interact
continually, each
affecting the others.
Example: A scientist
that studies global
warming is an Earth
System Scientist.

9. System Interactions
Volcanoes erupt, sending ash and
gases into the air and sending
lava and ash down onto
surrounding forests and human
habitations.
Geosphere
Atmosphere Biosphere

10. System Interactions
Hurricanes sweep across the
ocean and onto the land,
damaging the dwellings of people
who live along the coast.
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Biosphere

11. System Interactions
Earthquakes can damage buildings which
may kill people, as well as cause fires which
release gases into the air. Earthquakes in
the ocean may cause a tsunami which can
eventually hit land and kill both animals
and people.
Geosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere

12. Assessment
1. Name the four main earth systems.
2. Which branch of science studies the
interactions between these earth systems?
3. A forest fire would effect which earth
systems?
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere and
Geosphere
Earth System Science: Example is a scientist that
studies global warming.
All four: Fires (Biosphere) will destroy plant and animal life
while releasing smoke and other contaminants into the
atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere.