Spherical Earth Systems

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Spherical Earth Systems
Introduction In this activity we are going to
look at the Earth as though we are visiting the
planet for the first time. For the following
three images, you should make 3 to 5
observations. For this exercise, make a table,
like the one below on a separate sheet of paper.
Your table should have enough space for up to 15
lines.
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Spherical Earth Systems List Observations
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Spherical Earth Systems List Observations
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Spherical Earth Systems List Observations
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Spherical Earth Systems List Observations
Now consider the following definitions
Observation - information gained about an object
or event through the senses. Using the 5 senses
(see, hear, touch, smell, taste) to find out
about objects and events, their characteristics,
properties, differences, similarities, and
changes Observations are recorded.
Inference - Interpreting or explaining
observations. More than one inference may be
presented to explain an observation. When you
infer you use your previously gained knowledge or
experience.
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Did you make Observations or Inferences?
Now consider the following examples
Observations the image on the left is
spherical. This sphere is has three different
areas that are dominated by blue, tan to brown,
and white. The white areas occur primarily on the
bottom quarter of the image. These white areas
occur in different patterns. Inferences The
image shows an irregular distribution of water,
land and clouds. There are a couple of large
storms off the bottom part of South Africa.
Revisit your list of observations.
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Blue
White
Brown Or Tan
Green
How can you group or classify your observations
and inferences?
Blue
Brown Or Tan
How about Blue Brown or Tan Green White
White
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Blue
White
Brown Or Tan
Green
Blue
Brown Or Tan
? Based on observations - four broad
categories land (Tan and Brown) water (Blue)
living things (green) air (white).
An Earth Science perspective categories are
called spheres. - geosphere (land) -
hydrosphere (water) - biosphere (living
things) - atmosphere (air)
White
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Geosphere(or solid Earth)
? Includes cold, hard solid land of the planet's
crust (surface), the semi-solid material
underneath the crust, and the liquid material
near the center of the planet.
? Outermost layer of the geosphere is the crust
and consists of loose soil rich in nutrients that
overlies a relatively thin, solid crust of rocks
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Illustration by John M. Evans USGS, Colorado
District
Hydrosphere
? contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous
water of the planet.
? Small portion of the water in the hydrosphere
is fresh (non-salty).
? The differences in temperature cause water to
change physical states (e.g., liquid to solid,
liquid to gas).
Modified from Lvovich, 1979
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Atmosphere
? The atmosphere contains all the air in Earth's
system and consists of a number of layers.
? Because of the redistribution of energy and
mass within the lower part of the sphere, weather
occurs.
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Biosphere
The biosphere contains all the planet's living
things.
Within the biosphere, living things form
ecological communities based on the physical
surroundings of an area. These communities are
referred to as biomes.
Grassland Biome
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A Key Concept in Earth Systems
Everything is connected to Everything else.
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AssignmentGo to Assignment Website Research
Earth Systems on BlackBoard

• Find at least two websites that provide
  information about
• Earth Systems Science
• The information provided must include the terms
• ? Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and
  Biosphere
• ? One site must be a NASA-related website
• ? Provide the website location and a 5 to 10
  line description
• ? Put this information into your website under
  favorite websites
• When you have completed, your website
  descriptions, email Susan Kelly at suz25_at_alltel.
  net and click on view/complete assignment below
  and type in Completed on Provide date and time.
• Assignment due by Midnight (Pacific Time) March
  17, 2006.