Earth is unique in the solar system: it is the only planet currently known to support life.

Its capacity to do so is due to the interactions among its four spheres: The Atmosphere The Geosphere (Lithosphere) The Hydrosphere The Biosphere (realm of all living things)

Energy moves back and forth among the spheres within the Earth System.

The gaseous envelope surrounding our planet is referred to as the Atmosphere. Composed of a mixture of gases, the atmosphere provides living things with oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Other gases in the atmosphere absorb and alter rays from the Sun, blocking potentially harmful radiation.

Changing amounts of water vapour influence levels of humidity and influence the formation of clouds.

Varying areas of atmospheric pressure create winds.

Storms occur when water vapour, air pressure and energy interact.

This sphere refers to the Earth itself. It comprises all the physical features of the planet. The Geosphere includes the crust and upper mantle, which together make up the lithosphere, as well as the lower mantle and Earth’s core.

The geosphere provides us with mineral and non mineral resources which are mined.

Building materials such as stone and concrete are extracted from the geosphere where we perch our cities and homes.

The geosphere provides us with mineral and non mineral resources which are mined. Building materials such as stone and concrete are extracted from the geosphere where we perch our cities and homes. Some more precariously than others…

Although transformation happens slowly, the geosphere is ever changing.

Volcanic eruptions form new land.

Although transformation happens slowly, the geosphere is ever changing. Volcanic eruptions form new land. Mountains are uplifted and eroded.

Although transformation happens slowly, the geosphere is ever changing. Volcanic eruptions form new land. Mountains are uplifted and eroded. The Earth’s continents are in slow but constant motion.

The Hydrosphere contains all the water in the Earth system, as well as water that is locked up in ice and snow at the poles an on high mountains.

Most of the Earth’s water is salty. Only 3 percent of the hydrosphere is fresh water and 70% of that is locked up in glacial ice.

The remainder is found in groundwater or lakes, or as soil moisture, water vapour and river water. Of all the water in the hydrosphere only about 1% is useable fresh water.

All the water on Earth is recycled. The water you drank this morning may have been used to separate bitumen from the oil sands 10 years ago.

All the water on Earth is recycled. The water you drank this morning may have been used to separate bitumen from the oil sands 10 years ago.

All the water on Earth is recycled. The water you drank this morning may have been used to separate bitumen from the oil sands 10 years ago. Or perhaps flushed down the Queens’ toilet 50 years ago.

All the water on Earth is recycled. The water you drank this morning may have been used to separate bitumen from the oil sands 10 years ago. Or perhaps flushed down the Queens’ toilet 50 years ago. Or was peed out by a dinosaur 65 million years ago.

The interaction of the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere gave rise to the conditions to support life. This layer of the Earth, and the life that exists within it is referred to as the Biosphere.

The biosphere includes all living organisms from protozoa to blue whales, from krill to red wood trees.

Human activities within the biosphere have changed the face of the geosphere, had an impact on the oceans, and altered the atmosphere. We are living proof that one sphere can affect another.

The four spheres of the Earth system are constantly moving, changing and interacting.

The wind blows.

The four spheres of the Earth system are constantly moving, changing and interacting. Rocks form, break down, form again.

The four spheres of the Earth system are constantly moving, changing and interacting. Plants and animals live, grow, die and decompose.

The four spheres of the Earth system are constantly moving, changing and interacting. Water moves from the rivers to the sea.

These actions do not occur in isolation. The four spheres are interacting every constantly.

A few examples:

In 2009 an Icelandic volcano (geosphere) erupted, sending ash and gases into the air (atmosphere). The result was all flights out of an into Western Europe being cancelled for one week, thus affecting human activity (biosphere).

Humans (biosphere) drill for oil in Pennsylvania shale using “fracking” (geosphere). The run-off water and chemicals used in the process enters the groundwater and contaminates a number of wells (hydrosphere). Humans and livestock become sick from toxicity.