Name the Earth's main spheres?
Earth is made up of four main spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds the Earth. Hydrosphere is the Earth's water, like oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Earth's Spheres
Atmosphere: the layer of gases surrounding Earth and held by its gravity. Hydrosphere: the water found on the surface and subsurface of Earth. Lithosphere: the solid, outer layer of Earth that includes the crust and upper mantle.
Concepts:
Which sphere of the Earth do you think is the most important?
- Atmosphere
- Biosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Lithosphere
Earth's lithosphere, which is the outermost layer of Earth, is composed of several pieces called tectonic plates that are constantly shifting and colliding. Earth's hydrosphere is composed of all the water on the planet including oceans, glaciers, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gasses such as argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ozone.
Did you know?
What are the four major spheres that make up Earth's environment? How do they interact?
Draw a crazy-haired monster slurping noodles with chopsticks, sitting at a table with funny utensils and surrounded by pickles and sushi rolls.
What are some of the ways humans interact with Earth's environment? How do these interactions affect our environment?
Let's play a game! Look around the room and find an object that belongs to one of the four spheres of the Earth (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere). Once you find it, tell us which sphere it belongs to and how it relates to that sphere.
What do you think is the most important sphere of Earth's environment? Why?
What are some ways that you can help protect and preserve Earth's environment?