Earth Science Terms

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Biosphere

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The global sum of all ecosystems, including all life forms and their relationships, which interact with the elements of the lithosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

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Lithosphere

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The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

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Geosphere

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The solid parts of the Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core.

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Atmosphere

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The layer of gases surrounding the Earth, held in place by gravity, and composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.

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Hydrosphere

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All the waters on the Earth's surface, such as lakes and seas, and sometimes including water over the Earth's surface, such as clouds.

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Greenhouse Effect

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The process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be without this atmosphere.