1. Edited By Mr. Barkhau Written By: Not Mr. Barkhau
Planet Earth
Edited By Mr. Barkhau
Written By: Not Mr. Barkhau

2. Our Solar System
Earth is part of a large physical system containing countless objects, all of which revolve around the sun.
Eight spheres, called planets, are the largest objects in the solar system.

3. The 4 Spheres Earth is made of four spheres: atmosphere hydrosphere
lithosphere
biosphere

4. Hydrosphere Includes the liquid and frozen surface water Groundwater
Water vapor in and around oceans, lakes, and rivers on Earth
70% of earth’s surface

5. Lithosphere Land or surface areas on Earth
Including the continents, islands, and ocean basins
30% of earth’s surface

6. Atmosphere The layer of gasses surrounding the earth:
protects Earth from radiation, space debris
78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen

7. Biosphere The part of Earth that supports life for all: People Animals
Plants
Contains: atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere

8. Oceanic Landforms
The Continental Shelf is sea floor from continent’s edge to deep ocean
Sea floor has ridges, valleys, canyons, plains, mountain ranges

9. Mt. Everest- 29, 028 ft
Dead Sea- 1,312 ft below sea level

10. Earth’s Structure
For millions of years, the surface of the Earth has been moving.
The Earth is composed of three layers
core at Earth’s center
mantle layer of dense rock on the outer core
crust forming Earth’s surface.

11. Earth’s Structure
Many scientists believe Earth was once a single land mass called Pangaea, but…
Continental Drift slowly spread the continents apart.

12. Earth’s Structure
Plate tectonics describes the activities of continental drift and magma flow
Referring to the physical processes that create and shape:
Continents
Islands
Oceans
Mountain Ranges

13. Internal Forces of Change
Mountains are formed when Earth’s giant continental and oceanic plates collide.

14. Internal Forces of Change
Moving plates sometimes cause Earth’s surface to buckle forming folds
Moving plates form cracks called faults.

15. Internal Forces of Change
Violent movements of Earth’s crust along fault lines are called earthquakes, which dramatically change the surface of the land and the floor of the ocean.

16. Internal Forces of Change
Volcanoes are mountains formed by lava or magma that breaks Earth’s surface.

17. External Forces of Change
Wind and water break down the Earth’s surface through weathering and erosion.

18. External Forces of Change
Physical weathering happens when large masses of rock are broken down into smaller pieces.

19. External Forces of Change
Glaciers are large bodies of ice that move across the Earth’s surface, changing the landscape as they flow.

20. Mr. Barkhau hiked across part of Vatnajökull glacier in 2013

21. External Forces of Change
Soil building takes thousands of years of weathering, erosion, and biological activity
Influenced by five factors:
Climate, topography, geology, biology and time

22. Water

23. The water Cycle
Almost all of the hydrosphere is saltwater found in oceans, seas, and some lakes.

24. The water Cycle
The amount of water on Earth never changes, but it is constantly moving through the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

25. The water Cycle
Evaporation is when the sun's energy causes water to change into vapor or gas.

26. The water Cycle
Condensation is an excess of water vapor that changes into liquid water after warm air cools.

27. The water Cycle
Condensation is an excess of water vapor that changes into liquid water after warm air cools.

28. The water Cycle
Precipitation is the release of moisture through rain, snow, or sleet.

29. Bodies of Salt Water
Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is water, primarily salt water.
Salt water cannot be used for drinking, farming, or manufacturing.

30. Bodies of Salt Water
Due to a growing population and the need for more freshwater, some countries are focusing on the desalination process, which removes the salt from seawater.

31. Bodies of Salt Water
Desalination is expensive and is also controversial; critics believe the process has negative environmental and economic impacts.

32. Bodies of Fresh Water
Less than one-third of a percent of freshwater is found in lakes, rivers, and streams and their tributaries.

33. Bodies of Fresh Water
Aquifers and groundwater are important sources of freshwater found underground within the Earth.

34. Earth –sun relationships
AKA Weather

35. Climate and weather
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific time.
What Causes the Weather?
Sun: solar energy
Water vapor: whether or not there will be precipitation (snow, sleet, hail)

36. Climate and weather
Climate refers to the average weather conditions over many years
Earth's tilt on its axis in relation to the sun affects temperatures from day to night

37. Climate and weather
Seasons and weather occur because of the changing position of the earth in relation to the sun.
Weather extremes are related to location on earth.

38. SEASONS AND WEATHER
The solstice marks the beginning of summer and winter
The equinox marks the beginning of spring and autumn

39. The greenHouse effect
The greenhouse effect allows trapped atmospheric gases to radiate heat that warms Earth.

40. The GreenHouse Effect
Under normal conditions, the atmosphere naturally provides enough insulation to promote life on Earth.
The radiation Earth receives from the sun must equally balance with the heat radiated back into space to avoid temperature extremes in order to support life.
If not, you get global warming

41. Factors Affecting Climate
Latitude – Elevation – WIND – water

42. Latitude, Climate, and Elevation
Earth's rotation around the sun creates predictable climate patterns that correspond with latitude zones.

43. Latitude, Climate, and Elevation
The low latitudes include the area between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, including the Equator
All receive nearly direct sunlight and have warm to hot climates

44. Latitude, Elevation, and Climate
The high latitudes include the polar zones, which generally have very cold climates.

45. Latitude, Elevation, and Climate
The mid-latitude zones between 30° and 60° experience variable weather with generally temperate climates.
Elevation influences climate at all latitudes

46. Wind
Winds occur when sunlight heats Earth's atmosphere and surface unevenly
Wind movement is critical for distributing the sun's energy around the planet

47. OCEAN CURRENTS
Ocean currents also distribute energy

48. WIND AND WATER
Wind and water work together to affect weather, creating precipitation that both affects and is affected by temperature.

49. Landforms and Climate
Climates are affected by the presence or absence of certain physical features, such as mountains or large bodies of water.

50. Landforms and Climate
Large bodies of water are slower to heat and cool, so they help keep temperatures around them moderate.
Mountain ranges push air upward on the windward side, which cools and releases precipitation. The leeward side of a mountain range is usually hotter and drier.

51. Climate Regions and Biomes
Four climate zones:
Tropical
Dry
Mid-latitude
High-latitude

52. Climate regions and Biomes
Biome: ecological community defined by distinctive plant and animal groups.

53. Climate Regions
Tropical climates are found in or near the low latitudes.

54. Climate Regions
Dry climates are semi-arid (steppe) or arid (desert).

55. Climate Regions
Mid-latitude climates have variable weather patterns.

56. Climate Regions
High-latitude climates have freezing temperatures all year.

57. Climate change
Climate change: major changes in the climate over an extended period of time.

58. Climate change Indicators include: Rising global temperatures
Major weather changes
Heat waves
Severe weather events