1. The Geosphere

2. The Earth as a System Consists of: - Geosphere - Hydrosphere
The Earth is a system of 4 interacting components.
Consists of:
- Geosphere - Hydrosphere
- Atmosphere - Biosphere

3. The Geosphere Composition
The solid part of the Earth (rocks, minerals, soil, etc.)
Most of the geosphere is below the surface
What is it?
Lithosphere
Cool, rigid layer that includes the crust; divided into plates
Asthenosphere
Flexible layer of the mantle that flows slowly, allowing plates above it to move
Outer Core
Liquid nickel and iron
Inner Core
Solid nickel and iron

4. Look at the world map. Does anything look like it could fit together like a puzzle?

5. The Geosphere Plate Tectonics
Pangaea – Wegener’s idea that all of Earth’s continents were joined into one giant landmass 200 million years ago.

6. The Geosphere Plate Tectonics
The tectonic plates ride atop the asthenosphere, moving in different directions
Boundary
Movement
Result
Convergent
2 plates move together
Mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes
Divergent
Transform

7. Convergent Plate Boundaries
Continental-continental
Oceanic- oceanic
Oceanic-continental

8. The Geosphere Plate Tectonics
The tectonic plates ride atop the asthenosphere, moving in different directions
Boundary
Movement
Result
Convergent
2 plates move together
Mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes
Divergent
2 plates move apart
Ocean ridges (volcanic), rift valleys, earthquakes
Transform

9. Divergent Plate Boundaries
 Mid-ocean ridge
Rift Valley 

10. The Geosphere Plate Tectonics
The tectonic plates ride atop the asthenosphere, moving in different directions
Boundary
Movement
Result
Convergent
2 plates move together
Mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes
Divergent
2 plates move apart
Ocean ridges (volcanic), rift valleys, earthquakes
Transform
2 plates slide past each other
Faults, earthquakes

11. Transform Plate Boundaries

12. The Geosphere Plate Tectonics
Global Earthquake Distribution
Global Volcano Distribution

13. Destruction, injuries, death
The Geosphere
Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
How does it happen?
Earth’s crust slips along a fault (crack in the crust)
Local Effects
Destruction, injuries, death
Global Effects
Tsunamis
Which of these geologic hazards poses the greatest threat to the environment? Why?

15. The Geosphere Destruction, injuries, death Tsunamis Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
How does it happen?
Earth’s crust slips along a fault (crack in the crust)
Pressure of magma inside the volcano becomes so great that it blows open the solid surface.
Local Effects
Destruction, injuries, death
Destruction, injuries, death, mudflows, *improved soil fertility
Global Effects
Tsunamis
Ash clouds from major eruptions can block sunlight & change drop the average global temp.

16. The Geosphere Erosion
Rocks on the surface are changed by wind, running water, and weather.
Erosion is the removal and transport of weathered surface materials.
Over long periods of time, erosion can wear away entire mountains and produce spectacular landforms.

17. How is the land in this picture being used?

18. How We Use Land
Urban land = land covered mostly with buildings & roads and containing 2500 or more people.
Rural land = land containing few people & large areas of open space.

19. How are each type of land cover important to people?
Think-Pair-Share
How are each type of land cover important to people?

20. The Urban-Rural Connection
Think About It… Are people dependent on the resources produced in rural areas?
Ecosystem services – resources produced by natural & artificial ecosystems

21. Development of Marginal Lands
Some suburbs have been built on land that is not well suited to support buildings.
This land is prone to landslides because it is unstable
Ex: Los Angeles, Mexico City

22. Urban Environmental Condition
Heat Islands – increased temperature in a city
Why? - roads & buildings absorb more heat than vegetation
Effects? – local weather patterns change, more rainfall in cities
Pollution of air,
water, & land

23. Urban Planning
Land-use planning is essential for pleasant urban living experiences.
Ex:
Transportation in cities involves mass transit systems (buses, trains)
Mass transit saves energy, reduces traffic, lowers air pollution, & limits the loss of land to roads & parking lots
Open space is set aside in urban areas for recreational enjoyment (parks, gardens, bike paths, hiking trails)
Open spaces absorb CO2, produce oxygen, filter pollutants, lower temperatures, absorb rainwater

24. Land Management & Conservation
Land Type
What is it?
How is it used by people?
What are the problems/threats to this land?
How can it be maintained / protected?
Farm land
LAND USED FOR CROPS AND FRUITS
FOOD
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM
Range land
LAND THAT SUPPORTS VEGETATION (GRASSES)
GRAZING LIVESTOCK
OVERGRAZING
PUBLIC RANGELANDS IMPROVEMENT ACT
Forest land
LAND THAT SUPPORTS TREES
WOOD, LUMBER, PAPER, ETC.
DEFORESTATION (CLEARING WITHOUT REPLACING)
REFORESTATION
Parks & Preserves
LAND PROTECTED AGAINST DEVELOPMENT
RECREATION, WILDLIFE REFUGE, PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES
INCREASED DEVELOPMENT,
VISITOR DESTRUCTION & LITTERING
US WILDERNESS ACT – PROTECTS FROM EXPLOITATION

25. Designing A Community
You are a land-use planner. Design a model community that is to be home for 1000 people. Name your community & tell us where in the world you are located.
Sketch your plans for the following:
Housing
Commercial
Transportation routes
Open spaces
Community services (electricity, water, trash collection, police & fire protection, schools, hospitals, etc.)
Where will resources come from?