geosphere
Rocky planetary layer
The geosphere is the solid portion of Earth—its rocks, minerals, and landforms from the surface down to the core.
In earth science, it contrasts with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere: The geosphere interacts with all other Earth systems.
Some uses include soil and sediment; others restrict it to bedrock and deeper layers.
Study of rock layers
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- crustHard outer layer
- mantleCovering or wrap
- coreCentral essential portion
erosion · geomorphology · seismology · faults · rock cycle · igneous · sedimentary · metamorphic
Continuous area of ground
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- PangaeaPrehistoric unified landmass
- EurasiaCombined continental mass
- AfricaSecond-largest continent
North America · South America · Antarctica · Australia · Europe · Asia · subcontinent · plateau
Physics of planetary structure
- glaciologyStudy of ice masses
- hydrologyScience of water distribution
- pedologyStudy of soils
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
seismology · volcanology · mineralogy · petrology · remote sensing · deep earth
Combustible sedimentary rock
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- oil reservesRecoverable underground crude accumulations
- hydrocarbonsCarbon-hydrogen organic compounds
peat · methane · bitumen · shale · tar sands · fossil fuels · groundwater · aquifer
Erupted liquid stone
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin
- magmaMolten rock underground
basalt · ash · pumice · scoria · andesite · rhyolite · lahar · tephra
stratigraphy
Study of rock layers
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- crustHard outer layer
- mantleCovering or wrap
core · erosion · geomorphology · seismology · faults · rock cycle · igneous · sedimentary · metamorphic · geochronology
landmass
Continuous area of ground
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- PangaeaPrehistoric unified landmass
- EurasiaCombined continental mass
Africa · North America · South America · Antarctica · Australia · Europe · Asia · subcontinent · plateau · isthmus
geophysics
Physics of planetary structure
- glaciologyStudy of ice masses
- hydrologyScience of water distribution
- pedologyStudy of soils
paleontology · seismology · volcanology · mineralogy · petrology · remote sensing · deep earth
coal
Combustible sedimentary rock
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- oil reservesRecoverable underground crude accumulations
hydrocarbons · peat · methane · bitumen · shale · tar sands · fossil fuels · groundwater · aquifer · geothermal energy
lava
Erupted liquid stone
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin
magma · basalt · ash · pumice · scoria · andesite · rhyolite · lahar · tephra · fumarole
summit
Peak or diplomatic gathering
elevation · escarpment · sierra · cordillera · massif · pinnacle · alp · foothills · highland · topography
quartz
Crystalline silicon dioxide
gypsum · halite · bauxite · copper · gold · silver · diamond · sapphire · ruby · emerald
- earth scienceearthquake, volcano, crust, eruption, mantle
- Earth Sciencesgeoscience, earth science, meteorology, oceanography, climatology
- Earth systemscryosphere, ecosystem, water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle
geosphereatmosphere
Gaseous layer around planets
hydrosphere · biosphere · cryosphere · ocean · air
sphere, atmosphere, geography, geometry, geology, geode, biosphere, geologic, stratosphere