Earth Science

Chapter 1-2

1. Lithosphere

2. Hydrosphere

3. Atmosphere

4. Biosphere

The Four Great Realms

Atmosphere• The layer of gases that surround and

form an envelope around the Earth.–Consists of several gases

•Nitrogen – 78%•Oxygen – 21%•CO2, H2O, •others – 1%

Lithosphere• Earth's solid, rocky outer layer

–The continents, islands and ocean floors

Hydrosphere• All of the water present on the planet

–Oceans, lakes, streams, ice caps, snow, glaciers, etc.

Biosphere• That area of the land, water and

air that contains life!

•Litho = solid rock•Atmos = air•Hydro = water•Bio = Life•Sphere = round

1. To which sphere do all of earth’s inhabitants belong?

2. What is earth’s hydrosphere made of?

3. Where is water in the gaseous state found?

4. To which sphere do mountains, valleys, and other pieces of land belong?

Which earth systems interact for following –

1.Glaciers carved Yosemite valley

2. Most of California’s earthquakes are caused by movement of rocks along the San Andreas Fault System

3. Many of the mudslides in northern California occur when snow melts

4. Sequoias and redwoods grow in some of the forests in California

5. The Pacific Ocean borders western California

6. Death Valley is one of the hottest, driest places on earth

Energy Transfer• Moving object• Waves

electromagnetic waves

Heat flow – heat flows from a warmer object to a colder object

Branches of Earth Science

• Geology – geo = earth• Meteorology• Environmental Science

The Earth’s Surface• Topography:

The shape of the land. The topography of an area includes the area's elevation, relief, and landforms.

Elevation - Relief• Elevation -height above sea level• Relief - difference between the

highest and the lowest points of an area

Landforms• 3 main types: • Plains• mountains • plateaus

Plains: made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief

Coastal plains

Interior plains

•Mountains: made up of high elevation and high relief.

Mountain range: Group of mountains closely related in shape, structure, and age

Mountain System: Different ranges in an area

Mountain Belt: Mountain ranges and Mountain systems in a long connected chain

Plateaus: high elevation and a more or less level surface

Landform Elevation Relief

Plain Low Low

Mountain High High

Plateaus High Low

Earth’s Grid – Equator & Prime Meridian

Prime Meridian goes through Greenwich, England

Equator is half way between the North & South pole

Latitude & Longitude• Latitude: the distance north or

south of the equator

• Longitude: the distance east or west of the prime meridian

Both latitude & longitude are measured in degrees

Latitude & Longitude

Topographic Maps

•They provide information on the elevation, relief, and slope of the ground surface

Reading a Topo Map• Contour

lines–Thin lines that connect points of equal elevation.

• Contour interval

Spaces between

the contour lines.

It shows the change in elevation from contour line to

contour line.

Index contourThick, darker lines, usually every fifth contour line.

Interpreting Contour Lines• Closely spaced contour lines

indicate steep slopes.

• Widely spaced contour lines are used for gentle slopes or flatter areas.

•Closed loop with no other contour lines inside it indicates a hilltop.

• V-shaped contour lines pointing uphill indicate a valley.

• V-shaped contour lines pointing downhill indicate a ridge.

A closed loop with dashes inside – a depression or hollow in the ground

Making a Topo Map