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Earth As A System

This document discusses Earth system science and the interconnected spheres that make up the Earth system. It defines the major spheres - atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and anthrosphere. Events can impact one or more spheres and cause chain reactions, as the spheres are closely interconnected. Understanding these interactions is important for predicting outcomes and preparing for natural disasters and environmental impacts. The document provides examples of analyzing events using the Earth system science framework to understand what spheres caused the event and how it impacted other spheres.

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Dondon Tayaban
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263 views15 pages

Earth As A System

This document discusses Earth system science and the interconnected spheres that make up the Earth system. It defines the major spheres - atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and anthrosphere. Events can impact one or more spheres and cause chain reactions, as the spheres are closely interconnected. Understanding these interactions is important for predicting outcomes and preparing for natural disasters and environmental impacts. The document provides examples of analyzing events using the Earth system science framework to understand what spheres caused the event and how it impacted other spheres.

Uploaded by

Dondon Tayaban
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Earth as a

System

Earth’s Spheres
Earth System Science (ESS)
• The study of the interactions
between and among events and
Earth’s spheres
• A relatively new science (1988)
Earth’s Sphere

• Atmosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Lithosphere
• Biosphere

• Cryosphere
• Anthrosphere
Atmosphere

• A gaseous sphere
and it envelopes the
Earth,

• Consists of a mixture
of gases composed
primarily of nitrogen,
oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and water
vapor.
Hydrosphere

• All of the
water on
Earth

• 71% of the
earth is
covered by
water and
only 29% is
terra firma
Lithosphere
• The Earth's solid
surface, often
called the crust of
the earth. It
includes
continental and
oceanic crust as
well as the
various layers of
the Earth's
interior.
Biosphere
• All life on earth,
including man,
and all organisms.

• The life zone on


our planet
distinguishes our
planet from the
others in the solar
system.
Cryosphere
• The portion of
the Earth's
surface where
water is in a solid
form

• Snow or ice:
includes glaciers,
ice shelves,
snow, icebergs,
and arctic
climatology
Anthrosphere
• Man and his
direct
ancestors,
hominids.

• The human
population, it’s
buildings,dams,
and other
constructions.
Interconnected Spheres
• Spheres are closely connected
• Changes are often chain reactions

• A change in one sphere results in


changes in others - called an event
– Forest fire destroys plants in an area

• Interactions between spheres


– No plants => erosion
– Soil in water => increased turbidity
– Turbidity => impacts water plants/animals
Event <=> Sphere
• Causes & Effects

• Interactions

• Event <=>Sphere
• Sphere<=>Sphere
ESS Analysis
• Events
– Cause-effect events
– Interactions
– Natural events
• Earthquake, hurricane, forest fires
– Human caused events
• Oil spill, air pollution, construction
ESS Analysis
• What spheres caused the event?
Sphere Event

• What are effects of the event on the


spheres?
Event Spheres

• How do changes in one sphere impact


on other spheres?
Sphere Sphere
Understanding Interactions
• Global implications
• Helps people predict outcomes

• Preparation for natural disasters


• Environmental impacts of human
activities
ESS Analysis
• An Example - handout
– Yellowstone Forest Fire

• Group activity
– Mt St Helen’s eruption, 1980
– Hurricane Andrew, 1992

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