Spheres

Page 1

The Earth's Spheres

lithosphere (land)

hydrosphere (water)

biosphere (living things)

atmosphere (air

+ geosphere (totality of the planet)

Page 2

Physical Layers of the Geosphere

Lithosphere

crust and uppermost mantle

consists of tectonic plates

Asthenosphere

mantle rock that moves slowly - solid

Allows tectonic plates to move

Mesosphere

the lowest part of the mantle

Outer core

liquid nickel and iron

Inner core

solid nickel and iron

4,000 - 5,000 degrees Celsius

Enormous pressure

Page 3

Layers of the Atmosphere

Lower Atmosphere:

Troposphere

where all weather forms

Middle Atmosphere:

Stratosphere

where the protective ozone layer floats

Mesosphere

where shooting stars blaze

Upper Atmosphere:

Thermosphere

where the temperature rises

Exosphere

the farthest layer