Earth's Systems
What are Earth’s four major physical systems?
Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere
What does elevation describe?
How far above sea level a landform or location is
What percent of Earth’s water is salt water?
About 97%
What are the three layers of the Earth?
Crust, Mantle, Core
What are tectonic plates?
Large pieces of Earth’s crust that move slowly over the mantle
Which system includes all of Earth’s water?
The Hydrosphere
What is the difference between a plain and a plateau?
Plains are flat at low elevations; plateaus are flat at high elevations
What process removes salt from seawater to make it drinkable?
Desalination
What is magma?
Melted rock beneath Earth’s surface
What is the Ring of Fire?
A band of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean caused by plate movement
What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by water?
About 71%
What is a peninsula?
A narrow piece of land that extends into water and is connected to a larger landmass
What is groundwater?
Water found underground in soil and rocks
Which part of the core is solid and which is liquid?
Inner core is solid; outer core is liquid
What causes earthquakes?
The movement of tectonic plates along faults
Which system includes all living things on Earth?
The Biosphere
What is an isthmus, and what is one example?
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas with water on both sides; Example: Panama
What is an estuary?
A place where freshwater and saltwater meet
What is the crust made of?
A rocky shell forming Earth’s surface
What is weathering?
The process that breaks down rocks and soil by wind, water, or temperature
How do the hydrosphere and atmosphere work together?
Water from the atmosphere (rain) falls to the hydrosphere and lithosphere, supporting life in the biosphere
What landform forms when rivers deposit soil and nutrients near their mouths?
A delta
What are Earth’s five oceans, from largest to smallest?
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic
How do scientists learn about Earth’s interior if they can’t travel there?
By studying vibrations from earthquakes and explosions
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering breaks down rock; erosion moves the broken material to new places