Earth System Flashcards
is the thin gaseous layer that enveloped the geosphere. The present atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9% argon, and
trace amounts of other gases.
Atmosphere
is a set of interconnected components that are interacting to form a unified
whole.
a system
includes the rocks of the crust and mantle, the metallic liquid outer core, and the solid metallic inner core.
Geosphere
is the set of all life forms on Earth. It covers all ecosystems—from
the soil to the rainforest, from mangroves to coral reefs, and from the plankton-rich ocean surface to the deep sea.
Biosphere
About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid water and much of it is in the form of ocean water. Only 3% of Earth’s water is fresh: two-thirds are in the form of ice, and the remaining one-third is present in streams, lakes, and groundwater.
Hydrosphere
is composed of both the crust and the portion of the upper mantle that behaves as a brittle, rigid solid.
Lithosphere
is the layer below the lithosphere. It is made of the uppermost weaker layers of the mantel and has a depth of 700 km from the Earth’s surface. They are rather semi-fluid and allow the movement of their half molten rocks.
Asthenosphere
the atmospheric layer closest to the Earth’s surface
Troposphere
The weather occurs in this layer of the atmosphere.
Troposphere
reaches from the troposphere to about 50km above the Earth’s surface
Stratosphere
Jets fly over in this layer of the atmosphere as it is calm.
Stratosphere
The Ozone layer is located in this layer.
Stratosphere
the coldest layer of the atmosphere
Mesosphere
reaches from 50km to 80km above Earth’s surface
Mesosphere
Aurora borealis and space shuttles are found in this layer.
Thermosphere
