Earth's Spheres
This contains all the rocks and non-living matter that make up the Earth system.
What is the geosphere?
The changing of materials by chemical processes.
What is chemical weathering?
The organic, dark, nutrient-rich, top layer of soil formed from decayed organic matter.
What is humus?
The placing of materials in a new place.
What is deposition?
All of the matter, energy, and processes within the Earth's boundary.
What is the Earth system?
This contains all the water in rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. as well as groundwater.
What is the hydrosphere?
The breaking down of rock into smaller pieces by forces.
What is mechanical weathering?
Water and air are found in these.
What is pore space?
The destructive process which moves materials away from their place (due to gravity, water and wind).
What is erosion?
Acids created in the Earth's atmosphere which then fall to Earth as rain causing chemical weathering.
What is acid precipitation?
This is all the living things on Earth.
What is the biosphere?
Give an example of how mechanical weathering may occur.
What is the force of gravity, ice or plant roots?
all of the Earth's spheres combine to make this.
What is soil?
This is how we can prevent wind erosion of sand?
What is planting sea grasses and other plants?
The water located within the rocks below the Earth's surface.
What is groundwater?
This contains all the gases and protects the Earth.
What is the atmosphere?
Give an example of how chemical weathering may occur?
What is chemicals in rain dissolving rocks over time?
This describes how well soil can support plant growth.
What is fertility?
Landforms created by erosion.
What are canyons and valleys?
The general term for all the materials carried and deposited by a glacier.
What is glacial drift?
Often lumped in with the water this contains all the world's ice.
What is the cryosphere?
BOTH mechanical and chemical weathering accomplish this.
What is the breaking down of rock into smaller pieces called sediment?
This is a layer of soil with distinct physical properties.
What is a soil horizon?
These are landforms created by deposition.
What are deltas, aluvial fans, and floodplains?
This can be classified as sand, silt, or clay.
What is soil texture?