Earth as a SYSTEM

SYSTEM - A set of interconnected components that are

interacting to form a unified whole.
The Earth system is essentially a CLOSED SYSTEM.

A closed system is a system in which

there is only an exchange of heat or
energy and no exchange of matter.

The Earth receives energy from the sun and

returns some of this energy to space.
THE EARTH SUBSYSTEMS
Biosphere Hydrosphere

Geosphere Atmosphere
Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the

thin gaseous layer that
envelopes the
lithosphere.

The present atmosphere is composed of 78%

nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9%
argon, and trace amount of other gases.
Tropospher
Where weather forms
esurface
Up to 16km (10mi) above Earth’s

Storms take place in the troposphere,

which contains about 75 percent of the
atmosphere. The troposphere extends
eight km (five mi) up from Earth’s
surface at the North and South Poles
and 16km (10mi up) at the Equator. It
gets cold near the top, as low as -750C
Stratosphere
Where the protective ozone layer floats
16 to 50km (10 to 31mi) above Earth’s
surface
The concentration of protective ozone
peaks at about 22km (14mi) up. The
stratosphere contains 20 percent of the
molecules in the atmosphere and gets
warmer as you go away from Earth
Mesosphere
Where shooting stars blaze
50 to 80km (31 to 50mi) above
Earth’s surface
Space debris begins to burn up as it
enters the mesosphere. The
temperature drops as you leave
Earth dipping to as low as -900C at
the top of the layer
Thermosphere
 Where the temperature rises
 80 to 640 km (50 to 400 mi) above Earth’s surface
 Even though the air there is thin, it absorbs so much
solar radiation that the temperature can reach up to
2300C
 Within the thermosphere are the ionosphere and
magnetosphere.
 The ionosphere contains electrically charged particles
that can interfere with radio broadcasts. Charged
particles in the magnetosphere are affected by Earth’s
magnetic field under the right conditions, creating the
beautiful, shimmering Northern and Southern Lights
Exosphere
The farthest layer
640 to 64,000km (400 to
40,000mi) above Earth’s
surface
The air dwindles to nothing as
molecules drift into space
 Biosphere

Includes 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.
Hydrosphere

Dynamic mass of
water that is
continuously on the
move
 1. About 70% of the Earth is covered with liquid
water (hydrosphere) and much of it is in the
form of ocean water.
2. 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.

The Hydrologic (Water)

Cycle
Precipitation, Evaporation, Runoff, Infiltration, etc...
The Hydrologic (Water)
Cycle
 Geosphere

The Solid Earth

extends from the

surface to the center
LITHOSPHERE

The lithosphere
includes the crust and
the upper part of the
mantle.
Layers of the Earth

CRUST (continental &

oceanic)

MANTLE (upper & lower)

CORE (outer & inner)

 CRUST

- It’s the light and very thin outer

skin of the Earth.
- The outermost layer where energy
and mineral resources are derived.
MANTLE

- Less dense layer

- Made up of silicate rocks, mostly
made of the elements silicon,
oxygen, iron and magnesium.
 CORE

- Denser layer
- the Earth’s magnetic field
- strengthens the idea that the
Earth’s outer core is molten/liquid.
Components or subsystems
of the Earth system
4.6 Billion Years of
Interaction
Geosphere

Hydrosphere Biosphere

Atmosphere