1. The Geosphere

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

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

4. 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.)

5. Compositional Layers
Determined by chemistry

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

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

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

9. Physical Layers
Determined by physical properties

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

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

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

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

15. 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

16. Pangea

17. Laurasia and Gondwana
200Mya

19. Convergant Boundaries

20. Convergant Boundaries

21. Divergent Boundaries

22. Divergent Boundaries

23. Transform Boundaries

24. Ring of Fire