ESS 2.5 Geosphere Interactions

ESS 2.5 Geosphere Interactions

How the Geosphere interacts with other parts of Earth

Earth's 4 Spheres

Geosphere: the rock part of the Earth

Biosphere: the living parts of Earth

Atmosphere: the layer of gases around the Earth

Hydrosphere: all the water part of Earth

Multiple Choice

What sphere is the mostly solid part of the Earth? (rocks)

• Geosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

What sphere is the water part of the Earth?

• Geosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

What sphere is the living parts of the Earth

• Geosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

What sphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth?

• Geosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

Examples of how geosphere interacts with other spheres:

Volcanoes - geosphere changes the atmosphere,

Volcanoes - block sunlight and affect the biosphere,

Rock - provides soil affecting the biosphere,

Volcanoes give off water vapor - affecting the hydrosphere,

 Examples of how biosphere interacts with other spheres:

Plant roots break down rocks affecting the geosphere

Plants transpire putting water vapor into the atmosphere

Plant roots slow down rivers affecting the hydrosphere

Examples of how atmosphere interacts with other spheres:

Wind wears down rock affecting the geosphere

Provides oxygen for living things affecting the biosphere

Atmosphere contains water vapor which condenses into rain affecting the hydrosphere.

 Examples of how hydrosphere interacts with other spheres:

Rivers erode canyons affecting the geosphere

Rivers provide a habitat for fish affecting the biosphere

Water evaporates into the atmosphere changing the composition of the atmosphere

Multiple Choice

Volcanoes throwing ash and other particles into the air is an example of the geosphere directly affecting the _______

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• biosphere

• hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

The Colorado River carving out the Grand Canyon is an example of the geosphere being affected by the _______

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• biosphere

• hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

Hydrothermal vents on the bottom of the ocean giving off hydrogen sulfide gases that provide food for bacteria is an example of the geosphere affecting the _______

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• biosphere

• hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

Weathering and erosion of rocks to form soil is an example of the geosphere affecting the_______

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• biosphere

• hydrosphere

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between the 4 spheres of Earth?

• the four spheres overlap and interact with each other

• the biosphere and hydrosphere interact, but the the geosphere and atmosphere are part of separate systems

• he four spheres are separate and act independently of each other

• the geosphere and hydrosphere overlap, but the atmosphere and biosphere operate independently

Forming Earth’s Early Atmosphere: 

Volcanic outgassing provided the gases that made Earth’s early atmosphere.  

Forming Earth’s Oceans:

Volcanic outgassing added water vapor to the atmosphere which cooled, condensed, and fell as rain to form Earth’s liquid water.

Carbon Cycle:

Volcanic eruptions release CO2 and add carbon to the atmosphere

Burning fossil fuels releases CO2

Plants absorb CO2 and use it to create food

Rock and layers of fossil fuels in the ground store carbon until it is either melted at a volcano or burned by humans, then it is released back into the atmosphere

 Soil Production

The weathering of rock on Earth’s surface produces soil which is essential for growing plants and crops.

Causing Colder Climates:

When volcanoes erupt they put ash and sulfur dioxide particles into the atmosphere.  These substances block sunlight, causing a cooler climate for a little while. 

Causing Warmer Climates: 

Volcanoes give off CO2 which is a greenhouse gas.  CO2 absorbs heat released by the Earth, keeping Earth warmer then it would be otherwise. 

Positive Interactions with Humans

Geosphere provides: 

A place to live

Soil to grow crops Important mineral resources for making things

Energy resources such as fossil fuels and radioactive material for nuclear power

Negative Interactions with Humans

The Geosphere Can Hurt People through: 

Earthquakes

Volcanoes

Landslides 

Multiple Choice

How can the geosphere cause Earth's climate to get warmer?

• volcanoes spew out particles like ash which block out the sun

• glaciers melt into the rock causing the rock to warm up and give off heat

• lava is hot, so when volcanoes erupt, it adds heat to the air around it

• volcanoes give off carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas and causes global warming

Multiple Choice

How did the geosphere help to form Earth's early atmosphere?

• volcanic gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen were emitted to form an early atmosphere

• volcanoes absorbed out carbon dioxide water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen and added oxygen to the atmosphere

• bacteria in the soil added carbon dioxide to the atmosphere

• volcanoes emitted oxygen and helped to form a breathable atmosphere

  volcanoes emitted oxygen and helped to form a breathable atmosphere

Multiple Choice

What role did the geosphere play in forming Earth's oceans?

• volcanoes gave off carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

• soil absorbed oxygen from the early atmosphere so plants could breathe

• plate tectonics built mountain ranges and caused earthquakes

• volcanoes added water vapor to the atmosphere, which cooled, condensed and fell as rain

Multiple Choice

The geosphere plays a role in the carbon cycle by adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere through volcanic eruptions.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The geosphere plays a role in the carbon cycle by storing carbon in rocks like limestone and in fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

How can the geosphere cause Earth's climate to cool down?

• volcanic particles like ash and gases like sulfur dioxide can block and reflect back sunlight

• soil formation requires heat, which is absorbed out of the surrounding air

• soil erosion can wash onto glaciers and cause the glaciers to melt faster

• volcanic eruptions absorb heat from the air around it, causing it to cool down

Multiple Choice

Soil is an important resource that forms from the geosphere.

• true

• false

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of how the geosphere can affect humans? (choose all that apply)

• Soil used to grow crops for food.

• Earthquakes that trigger tsunamis that flood coastal cities.

• Mineral resources that are mined and refined into products such as copper and iron.

• Volcanoes that destroy houses and roads.

• Hydrothermal vents on the bottom of the ocean providing a unique habitat for bacteria and other organisms.