The Geosphere

Essential Question How does the structure of the earth affect the composition and distribution of resources?

All are connected with each other Earth System Geosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere All are connected with each other

Geosphere The rock and soil that make up the solid part of the earth Diameter of the earth at the equator: 12, 756km (7,926 mi.) Diameter of the earth at the poles: 12, 715km (7,901 mi.)

Compositional Layers Determined by chemistry

Compositional Layers Crust Thin outer layer 5-70km thick Thicker but less dense under continents Thinner but denser under oceans

Compositional Layers Mantle 2,900km 2/3 mass of earth Iron Convection currents

Compositional Layers Core 3,400km thick Densest layer Iron and Nickel

Physical Layers Determined by physical properties

Physical Layers Lithosphere 15-300km thick Crust and upper mantle Rigid Tectonic plates

Physical Layers Asthenosphere 250km thick Solid and plastic Fluid (moves slowly)

Physical Layers Mesosphere 2,550km thick Lower part of mantle

Physical Layers Outer Core Inner Core 2,200km thick Liquid nickel and iron Inner Core 1,228km thick Solid Nickel and iron

Plate Tectonics Alfred Wegener – 1912 Continents were once single land mass Drifted apart Considered a crackpot The lithosphere is broken into different plates Plates move on top of plastic asthenosphere

Pangea

Laurasia and Gondwana 200Mya

Convergant Boundaries

Convergant Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries

Transform Boundaries

Ring of Fire