Earth Science
Ch. 1 pp. 8-11
Name ___________________ Period _______ Date ______
Earth System Science Spheres Project
Earth system science studies earth as a system composed of interacting parts by combining the knowledge
of several different fields. The earth is a dynamic body with many interacting spheres: hydrosphere,
atmosphere, geosphere (lithosphere) and the biosphere. The spheres are so closely connected that a change
in one sphere often results in a change in one or more other spheres. When such changes take place within
an ecosystem they are referred to as an event. Events can occur naturally (earthquake) or they can be
caused by humans, (oil spill). Events can impact only a local region (forest fire) or worldwide (El Nino).
The interaction of spheres can occur as a single event, or as a chain
reaction where one interaction leads to another – it is a ripple effect.
For example, a forest fire (event) may destroy all the plants in an area
(biosphere). The absence of plants could lead to an increase in erosion-washing away--of soil (biosphere
lithosphere). Increased amounts of
soil entering streams can lead to increased turbidity, or muddiness, of the
water (lithosphere
hydrosphere). Increased turbidity of stream water
can have negative impacts on the plants and animals that live in it
(hydrosphere
biosphere).
ESS Analysis
1. Find a photo of an event, or a current event.
a. Describe the event.
b. Determine if it was natural or man-made.
c. Did the event impact a local regional or the world?
2. Did the event cause a temporary change in the spheres, or is it an ongoing steady process? Explain.
3.
What are the effects of the event on each of the earth’s four spheres? (event
Describe how the event has affected each of the four spheres.
sphere)
Hydrosphere: ___________________________________________________________________
Atmosphere: ____________________________________________________________________
Geosphere: _____________________________________________________________________
Biosphere: ______________________________________________________________________
4. What are the effects of the changes in one of the earth’s spheres on each of the other spheres?
(sphere
sphere interactions)
List and describe a chain-reaction of changes that may occur in your event each of the 6 sphere to
sphere interactions for your event..
Hydrosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Lithosphere
Lithosphere
Biosphere
atmosphere ________________________________________
biosphere ________________________________________
hydrosphere _______________________________________
biosphere ________________________________________
atmosphere ________________________________________
atmosphere ________________________________________
5. Humans are often referred to as the 5th sphere anthrosphere. Describe how you would be affected by
this event.
An Example of an Earth System Science Analysis.
Event: Forest fires in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming in 1988 destroyed tremendous areas of the park.
Below are some event
Event
sphere interactions from an ESS analysis of the Yellowstone forest fires:
Hydrosphere
A lack of moisture in the soil and vegetation may have provided a dry environment in which the fires
could continue to burn. Heat from the fire evaporated moisture from the air, soil, and vegetation.
Event
Atmosphere
A lightning strike from the air may have started the fires by igniting the dry vegetation.
Event
Lithosphere
The intense heat from the fires may have caused some rocks to break apart.
Event
Biosphere
Dead branches and pine needles on the ground may have provided fuel for the fires.
Below are some sphere
Lithosphere
sphere interactions from the ESS analysis of the Yellowstone forest fires event:
Hydrosphere
Increased erosion of loose soil (see "Lithosphere
Biosphere," below) may have led to increased
sediments (i.e. soil particles) in stream water, making the water "muddier."
Lithosphere
Biosphere
A decrease in vegetation may have resulted in increased soil erosion because there were fewer roots to
hold the soil in place.
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Ash particles in the air may have been carried by the wind and dropped on the ground miles away from
the forest fires; the ash particles--which have a high pH--may have changed the pH of the soil. .
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Ash particles in the water may have clogged the gills of fish and choked them.
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
There may have been rain in neighboring areas because ash particles in the air may have become
condensation centers upon which raindrops could form.
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Smoke in the air may have coated the lungs of animals and people affecting their ability to breathe.
These are NOT all the possible interactions that may have occurred in the Yellowstone forest fires. These are merely a
few examples of what seem to be some reasonable causes and effects.