SEPTEMBER 2023
GEOGRAPHY HANDOUT
3RD FORM
THE EARTH’S SPHERES
Everything in Earth's system can be placed into one of four major subsystems: land, water, living
things, or air. These four subsystems are called "spheres." Specifically, they are the "lithosphere"
(land), "hydrosphere" (water), "biosphere" (living things), and "atmosphere" (air).
Lithosphere/Geosphere
The word "lithosphere" will be used in reference to all land in Earth's system. The lithosphere
contains all of the cold, hard solid land of the planet's crust (surface), the semi-solid land
underneath the crust, and the liquid land near the center of the planet. The surface of the
lithosphere is very uneven. There are high mountain ranges like the Rockies and Andes, huge
plains or flat areas like those in Texas, Iowa, and Brazil and deep valleys along the ocean floor.
The solid, semi-solid, and liquid land of the lithosphere form layers that are physically and
chemically different. The outermost layer of the lithosphere consists of loose soil rich in
nutrients, oxygen, and silicon. Beneath that layer lies a very thin, solid crust of oxygen and
silicon. Next is a thick, semi-solid mantle of oxygen, silicon, iron, and magnesium. Below that is
a liquid outer core of nickel and iron. At the center of Earth is a solid inner core of nickel and
iron.
Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the water bodies (solid, liquid, and gaseous) of the planet. It ranges
from 10 to 20 kilometers in thickness. The hydrosphere extends from Earth's surface downward
several kilometers into the lithosphere and upward about 12 kilometers into the atmosphere.
A small portion of the water in the hydrosphere is fresh (non-salty). This water flows as
precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's
surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's fresh water, however, is
frozen. Ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty. The salty water collects in deep valleys
along Earth's surface. These large collections of salty water are referred to as oceans. Water near
the poles is very cold (shown in dark purple), while water near the equator is very warm (shown
in light blue). The differences in temperature cause water to change physical states. Extremely
low temperatures like those found at the poles cause water to freeze into a solid such as a polar
icecap, a glacier, or an iceberg. Extremely high temperatures like those found at the equator
cause water to evaporate into a gas.
Note: Some scientists place frozen water glaciers, icecaps, and icebergs in its own sphere called
the "cryosphere." For the purpose of this module, however, frozen water will be included as part
of the hydrosphere. The word "hydrosphere" will be used in reference to all water in Earth's
system.
Biosphere
The biosphere contains all the planet's living things. This sphere includes all of the
microorganisms, plants, and animals of Earth. Within the biosphere, living things form
ecological communities based on the physical surroundings of an area. These communities are
referred to as biomes. Deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of
biomes that exist within the biosphere. The biosphere is all about life. Physical geographers use
the term biosphere to describe our living world. All of the microbes, plants, and animals can be
found somewhere in the biosphere. The biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere
where birds and insects can be found. It also reaches to dark caves deep in the ground or to the
bottom of the ocean at hydrothermal vents. The biosphere extends to any place that life of any
kind might exist.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere contains all the air in Earth's system. It extends from less than 1 m below the
planet's surface to more than 10,000 km above the planet's surface. The upper portion of the
atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also
absorbs and emits heat. When air temperature in the lower portion of this sphere changes,
weather occurs. As air in the lower atmosphere is heated or cooled, it moves around the planet.
The result can be as simple as a breeze or as complex as a tornado.
