Intro to the Spheres
This sphere includes all gases surrounding the earth, and is where weather occurs.
What is the ATMOSPHERE?
This property of the earth causes "DIFFERENTIAL HEATING" based on incoming energy from the sun.
This is the order of the layers of the earth, from the INTERIOR to the SURFACE.
- Inner core
- Outer core
- Mantle
- Crust
Only 2.5% of all earth's water is of this type.
What is FRESH WATER?
This is one "life process" that impacts the ATMOSPHERE.
What is RESPIRATION/PHOTOSYNTHESIS?
This sphere includes all water - liquid and frozen, fresh and salt.
What is the HYDROSPHERE?
This type of atmospheric cell cycles air from the equator to an approximate latitude of 30 degrees N/S
What are HADLEY CELLS?
The solid surface of the earth is broken into these large pieces of rock that float on the mantle, and are constantly moving in relation to each other.
What are TECTONIC PLATES?
This object is responsible for the daily pattern of high and low tides in oceans around the world.
What is THE MOON?
This is the process of mixing, tunnelling, and moving material between different layers of soil within the LITHOSPHERE. Earthworms are excellent at this process.
What is BIOTURBATION?
This sphere is the "rock layer", and includes the solid rock of the earth's crust as well as metals within the earth and minerals within the soil.
What is from HIGH pressure to LOW pressure
This is one characteristic of the earth's interior that changes from the core to the surface.
What is...
- temperature (hotter to cooler)
- material (metals to rock)
- state of matter (solid to liquid to solid)
Two processes contribute to the pattern of surface currents in the ocean. Name one of them
What is:
- PREVAILING WINDS
- CORIOLIS EFFECT
This is one example of how HUMAN activities are having an impact on a specific sphere of the earth.
This is the "life sphere" - where the other three spheres interact to allow life, and where life impacts each of the other spheres.
What is the BIOSPHERE?
This characteristic of the earth causes moving air (wind) to move/turn in predictable directions as prevailing winds.
This is one way that processes in the lithosphere impact the surface of the earth (non-disaster related).
What are MOUNTAINS, RIDGES, and TRENCHES at/near tectonic plate boundaries?
This is one example of how the hydrosphere impacts the landscape or life on the surface of the earth
What are:
- moderating climate (by transferring heat from the equator)
- tides rising/falling change the local environment (land is exposed vs. underwater)
- watersheds drain precipitation and surface water into rivers
This is one way that natural systems work together to maintain the conditions for life on earth.
Answers will vary -
- examples from class: heat/moisture transfer, oxygen in water/atmosphere, nutrients through soil...
- examples from podcast: regulation of the climate through CO2 concentration in the atmosphere,
This was the area in the Greenbelt we visited for our nature photography field trip in October.
NOTE, this is NOT a test question!
What is the MER BLEUE BOG?
This is one way that properties of the atmosphere have an impact on the landscape/surface/life on earth.
Answers may vary:
- patterns of precipitation
- patterns of vegetation
- ...
This is an example of a natural disaster caused by processes in the lithosphere. NOTE: you must be able to explain HOW the lithosphere contributes to this disaster
What are:
- volcanoes
- earthquakes
- tsunamis
This is one way that aspects of other spheres can lead to hydrosphere disasters like flooding
What are:
- PRECIPITATION (atmosphere) increases the amount of water in an area
- SURFACE ELEVATION (lithosphere) channels the water to low-lying areas and eventually into rivers
Do you agree with the Gaia Hypothesis? Should we think of the earth as a single living organism?
Justify your response with specific evidence
Answers will vary. Evidence/examples should be specific and directly support the stated position.