geospheres
Earth's concentric shells
Geospheres are the major physical systems that make up Earth, typically divided into the lithosphere (rock and soil), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living things).
Scientists use this framework to study how these interconnected spheres interact and influence one another.
Climate change affects all of Earth's geospheres simultaneously.
The term occasionally appears in singular form to describe Earth's solid portion specifically, though the plural usage dominates in environmental science.
Hard outer layer
- mantleCovering or wrap
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- continentalOf a continent
- oceanicOf the sea
igneous · sedimentary · metamorphic · minerals · granite · basalt · silicates · bedrock
Ground matter for planting
- regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
- subsoilEarth layer below surface
weathering · loam · clay · sand · nutrients · microorganisms · decomposition · fertility
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- organismsIndividual living entities
- ecologyStudy of environmental relations
- biotaRegional living organisms
photosynthesis · evolution · species · habitat · flora · fauna · conservation · adaptation
Massive saltwater body
- seaSaltwater body, not ocean
- riverLarge flowing watercourse
- lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
- glacierSlow-moving ice mass
iceberg · aquifer · groundwater · currents · tides · waves · salinity · precipitation
Atmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
- airGaseous envelope surrounding Earth
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
- weatherAtmospheric state outdoors
clouds · wind · jetstream · precipitation · aerosols · meteorology · barometer · humidity
Two-metal metallic alloy
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
- moltenLiquefied by extreme heat
crust
Hard outer layer
- mantleCovering or wrap
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- continentalOf a continent
oceanic · igneous · sedimentary · metamorphic · minerals · granite · basalt · silicates · bedrock · landforms
soil
Ground matter for planting
- regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
subsoil · weathering · loam · clay · sand · nutrients · microorganisms · decomposition · fertility · erosion
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- organismsIndividual living entities
- ecologyStudy of environmental relations
biota · photosynthesis · evolution · species · habitat · flora · fauna · conservation · adaptation · symbiosis
ocean
Massive saltwater body
glacier · iceberg · aquifer · groundwater · currents · tides · waves · salinity · precipitation · estuary
mesosphere
Atmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
- airGaseous envelope surrounding Earth
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
weather · clouds · wind · jetstream · precipitation · aerosols · meteorology · barometer · humidity · cyclone
iron-nickel
Two-metal metallic alloy
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
geospheresmicrosystems
Miniaturized integrated device assemblies
deep space · interstellar space · void · outer space · celestial bodies
geospheresbuilt environment
Human-created physical surroundings
industrial zones · urban infrastructure · infrastructure · virtual environments