The Earth as a System Earth’s Spheres

Earth System Science (ESS) The study of the interactions between and among events and Earth’s spheres A relatively new science (1988) The study of the interactions between and among events and Earth’s spheres A relatively new science (1988)

Earth’s Sphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere Cryosphere Anthrosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere Cryosphere Anthrosphere

Interacting Environmental Systems Earth’s systems relies on the input and output in those areas. Depending on the amounts taken in or out can make a positive or negative situation. These are know as feedback loops –They can be positive or negative –Negative feedback loop- happen most often naturally like the feeding patterns of animals. One predator will hunt until that area becomes more stable. Meaning that food is not as easy to catch and they will move to another location. (room temp is another example) Earth’s systems relies on the input and output in those areas. Depending on the amounts taken in or out can make a positive or negative situation. These are know as feedback loops –They can be positive or negative –Negative feedback loop- happen most often naturally like the feeding patterns of animals. One predator will hunt until that area becomes more stable. Meaning that food is not as easy to catch and they will move to another location. (room temp is another example)

Positive feedback loop- This has a negative impact on the area. The area is driven to an extreme like over population, over grazing and removal of trees and plant life. –This will cause unnatural occurrences like erosion around the areas that might have been cleared for trees and cattle. –Erosion- removal of soil by water, wind and gravity. Can lead to streams and rivers becoming bigger and sink holes. Positive feedback loop- This has a negative impact on the area. The area is driven to an extreme like over population, over grazing and removal of trees and plant life. –This will cause unnatural occurrences like erosion around the areas that might have been cleared for trees and cattle. –Erosion- removal of soil by water, wind and gravity. Can lead to streams and rivers becoming bigger and sink holes.

Biosphere All life on earth, including man, and all organisms. The life zone on our planet distinguishes our planet from the others in the solar system. All life on earth, including man, and all organisms. The life zone on our planet distinguishes our planet from the others in the solar system.

Biosphere and Atmosphere Biosphere- place in which all living things interact, and gases released here help makeup our atmosphere, which in turn help to protect the Biosphere. Atmosphere- Biosphere- place in which all living things interact, and gases released here help makeup our atmosphere, which in turn help to protect the Biosphere. Atmosphere-

Atmosphere A gaseous sphere and it envelopes the Earth, Consists of a mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. A gaseous sphere and it envelopes the Earth, Consists of a mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

Our atmosphere is made up of many gases like methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen. –The ozone layer which contains oxygen helps to protect us from sun’s radiation, it is made up of three oxygen atoms –The other gases make up layer that keeps Earth warm, These are know as greenhouse gases –This is know as the greenhouse effect. Our atmosphere is made up of many gases like methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen. –The ozone layer which contains oxygen helps to protect us from sun’s radiation, it is made up of three oxygen atoms –The other gases make up layer that keeps Earth warm, These are know as greenhouse gases –This is know as the greenhouse effect.

Hydrosphere All of the water on Earth 71% of the earth is covered by water and only 29% is terra firma All of the water on Earth 71% of the earth is covered by water and only 29% is terra firma

Hydrosphere Hydro- means water Water is one the most important resources on earth since it covers more than 97% of earth’s surface. –Much of this water is not easily accessable as most of it frozen in glaciers and some is below the surface in ground water. –Much of this water has to be pumped to the surface and rest that lies in the lakes also has to be pumped from its location. –Water moves throughout earth through the water cycle. This movement helps move nutrients throughout the earth’s surface. Hydro- means water Water is one the most important resources on earth since it covers more than 97% of earth’s surface. –Much of this water is not easily accessable as most of it frozen in glaciers and some is below the surface in ground water. –Much of this water has to be pumped to the surface and rest that lies in the lakes also has to be pumped from its location. –Water moves throughout earth through the water cycle. This movement helps move nutrients throughout the earth’s surface.

Evaporation-liquid to gas Transpiration- lose of water from plants Precipitation- rain, snow Condensation- gas to liquid Evaporation-liquid to gas Transpiration- lose of water from plants Precipitation- rain, snow Condensation- gas to liquid

Lithosphere The Earth's solid surface, often called the crust of the earth. It includes continental and oceanic crust as well as the various layers of the Earth's interior.

Crust 1% of Earth’s mass—contains all known life in the universe. 40-kilometer (25-mile) deep From mud and clay to diamonds and coal, Earth’s crust is composed of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The most abundant rocks in the crust are igneous, which are formed by the cooling of magma. Earth’s crust is rich in igneous rocks such as granite and basalt. Metamorphic rocks have undergone drastic changes due to heat and pressure. Slate and marble are familiar metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of material at Earth’s surface. Sandstone and shale are sedimentary rocks. 1% of Earth’s mass—contains all known life in the universe. 40-kilometer (25-mile) deep From mud and clay to diamonds and coal, Earth’s crust is composed of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The most abundant rocks in the crust are igneous, which are formed by the cooling of magma. Earth’s crust is rich in igneous rocks such as granite and basalt. Metamorphic rocks have undergone drastic changes due to heat and pressure. Slate and marble are familiar metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of material at Earth’s surface. Sandstone and shale are sedimentary rocks.

Oceanic Crust Oceanic crust is constantly formed at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates are tearing apart from each other. Just as oceanic crust is formed at mid- ocean ridges, it is destroyed in subduction zones. Subduction is the important geologic process in which a tectonic plate made of dense lithospheric material melts or falls below a plate made of less-dense lithosphere at a convergent plate boundary. Oceanic crust is constantly formed at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates are tearing apart from each other. Just as oceanic crust is formed at mid- ocean ridges, it is destroyed in subduction zones. Subduction is the important geologic process in which a tectonic plate made of dense lithospheric material melts or falls below a plate made of less-dense lithosphere at a convergent plate boundary.

Continental Crust Continental crust is mostly composed of different types of granites. As with oceanic crust, continental crust is created by plate tectonics. At convergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates crash into each other, continental crust is thrust up in the process of orogeny, or mountain-building. For this reason, the thickest parts of continental crust are at the world’s tallest mountain ranges. Continental crust is mostly composed of different types of granites. As with oceanic crust, continental crust is created by plate tectonics. At convergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates crash into each other, continental crust is thrust up in the process of orogeny, or mountain-building. For this reason, the thickest parts of continental crust are at the world’s tallest mountain ranges.

Tectonic Plates Earth has about 15 major plates that are constantly moving and colliding into each other. They can move from 1-6 inches a year creating the mountains and volcano's. The separation of these plates has resulted in the landforms we know as continents. The movement also has effected the deposition of soil, and erosion. This will affect the type of life that may live on these landforms. Earth has about 15 major plates that are constantly moving and colliding into each other. They can move from 1-6 inches a year creating the mountains and volcano's. The separation of these plates has resulted in the landforms we know as continents. The movement also has effected the deposition of soil, and erosion. This will affect the type of life that may live on these landforms.

Plate Zones

Cryosphere The portion of the Earth's surface where water is in a solid form Snow or ice: includes glaciers, ice shelves, snow, icebergs, and arctic climatology The portion of the Earth's surface where water is in a solid form Snow or ice: includes glaciers, ice shelves, snow, icebergs, and arctic climatology

Anthrosphere Man and his direct ancestors, hominids. The human population, it’s buildings,dams, and other constructions. Man and his direct ancestors, hominids. The human population, it’s buildings,dams, and other constructions.

Interconnected Spheres Spheres are closely connected Changes are often chain reactions A change in one sphere results in changes in others - called an event –Forest fire destroys plants in an area Interactions between spheres –No plants => erosion –Soil in water => increased turbidity –Turbidity => impacts water plants/animals Spheres are closely connected Changes are often chain reactions A change in one sphere results in changes in others - called an event –Forest fire destroys plants in an area Interactions between spheres –No plants => erosion –Soil in water => increased turbidity –Turbidity => impacts water plants/animals

Event Sphere Causes & Effects Interactions Event Sphere Sphere Causes & Effects Interactions Event Sphere Sphere

ESS Analysis Events –Cause-effect events –Interactions – Natural events Earthquake, hurricane, forest fires –Human caused events Oil spill, air pollution, construction Events –Cause-effect events –Interactions – Natural events Earthquake, hurricane, forest fires –Human caused events Oil spill, air pollution, construction

ESS Analysis What spheres caused the event? Sphere Event What are effects of the event on the spheres? Event Spheres How do changes in one sphere impact on other spheres? Sphere Sphere What spheres caused the event? Sphere Event What are effects of the event on the spheres? Event Spheres How do changes in one sphere impact on other spheres? Sphere Sphere

Understanding Interactions Global implications Helps people predict outcomes Preparation for natural disasters Environmental impacts of human activities Global implications Helps people predict outcomes Preparation for natural disasters Environmental impacts of human activities