Earth Science
August 15, 2012
1.2 A View of the Earth
Hydrosphere
water portions of the planet
Atmosphere
Earth’s gaseous envelope
Geosphere
The core, the mantle, the crust
Biosphere
All life on Earth
Core
Inner core (center)
1220 KM
Outer core
Mantle
Lower
2260 Km
2890 Km
Upper
Km
Crust
not the same thickness difference is between 5 –
70 Km around the Earth (oceanic/continent
Lithosphere
The crust and uppermost mantle make a rigid outer
layer
Asthenosphere
Under the lithosphere rocks become partially
molten or melted due to uneven distribution of
heat
Lower Mantle
Underneath the asthenosphere
Destruction Forces
Weathering/erosion work to wear down the high
points/flatten out surfaces
Constructive Forces
Build up the surfaces by raising land/depositing
new material in the form of lava
Ex. Mountains, volcanoes
Plate Tectonics
The theory that the motion of the plates move
slowly and continuously which generates
earthquakes, volcanic activity and the deformation
of large masses of rock into mountains