3. the solid rocky and metallic portions of the Earth.
Earth’s “Spheres”
the Geosphere, including the Lithosphere, the Asthenosphere, and the Pedosphere
the solid rocky and metallic portions of the Earth.

4. the Hydrosphere, including the Cryosphere
Earth’s “Spheres”
the Hydrosphere, including the Cryosphere
the water of the Earth

5. the gaseous blanket surrounding the Earth
Earth’s “Spheres”
the gaseous blanket surrounding the Earth
the atmosphere

6. the living organisms of the Earth
Earth’s “Spheres”
the biosphere
the living organisms of the Earth

7. Earth’s “Spheres” Geosphere
the solid matter of the Earth, as distinct from the seas, plants, animals, and surrounding atmosphere

8. Geosphere
Geosphere

9. Earth’s “Spheres” Hydrosphere
The ocean is the most prominent feature of the hydrosphere, as it covers nearly 71% of Earth’s surface and contains about 97% of Earth’s water
The hydrosphere also includes fresh water found in streams, lakes, and glaciers, as well as that found underground.

10. Hydrosphere

11. Earth’s “Spheres” Cryosphere
This is the frozen part of the Earth's surface, including the polar ice caps, continental ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost.
The cryosphere is very important to our understanding of climate change.

12. Cryosphere
Cryosphere

13. Atmosphere Earth’s “Spheres”
One-half of the atmosphere lies below 3.5 miles (18, 500 feet.)
Our atmosphere shields us from harmful solar rays.
Our atmosphere is the thin, tenuous blanket of air that surrounds Earth.

14. Atmosphere
Atmosphere

15. Earth’s “Spheres” Biosphere
Earth’s Biosphere includes all life, and is concentrated near the surface in a zone that extends from the ocean floor upward for several kilometers into the atmosphere.
Biosphere

16. Biosphere

17. Earth’s “Spheres” Lithosphere
The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of solid Earth that can be broken.
It includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, which constitute the hard and rigid outer layer of the Earth.

18. Lithosphere

19. Earth’s “Spheres” Asthenosphere
The asthenosphere is the weaker, hotter, and deeper part of the upper mantle.

20. Asthenosphere
Asthenosphere

21. Earth’s “Spheres” Pedosphere
The pedosphere is the uppermost part of the lithosphere that chemically reacts to the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere through the soil forming process.

22. Pedosphere
Pedosphere

23. An illustration shows the volume of all the world’s liquid water if put in the form of a sphere (green) and the volume of the atmosphere (pink) if the air were all at sea-level pressure. Adam Nieman, Science Photo Library

24. How many of Earth’s spheres can you see in this picture?

25. The Launch Pad
Draw a tree map representing Earth’s spheres and their relationships.
Describe each in one or two words.
Earth’s “Spheres”
Geosphere
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Pedosphere
Hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
air
life
solid
water
crust
solid, mobile
ice
soil

26. Earth’s Spheres

27. Earth’s Systems Interact
Video
Earth’s Systems Interact

28. Worksheet
Earth’s Spheres

29. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
atmosphere

30. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
pedosphere

31. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
asthenosphere

32. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
biosphere

33. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
cryosphere

34. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
hydrosphere

35. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
lithosphere

36. Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
The Launch Pad
Which of Earth’s “spheres” do the following pictures describe?
geosphere