The 4 Spheres

Biosphere

Biosphere What is it? Where is it? A life supporting global ecosystem Made up of all that is living on earth (plants, animals, fungi, single-cell organisms) Where is it? 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? Where is it? The solid part of the Earth that is made of tectonic plates, approximately 60 miles thick Where is it? On the outer layer of the Earth

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

Atmosphere

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

Hydrosphere

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

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

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

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