Download Two Types of Geography

Physical Geography
Physical Processes Affect:
ECOSPHERE:
Planetary ecosystem
Consists of the atmosphere, the lithosphere,
the hydrosphere, & the biosphere
LITHOSPHERE:
Solid, rocky crust covering entire
planet
• Three main layers:
• the core, or the inner
layer
• the mantle, in the middle
• the crust, outer layer
100 kilometers (60 miles) deep in
most places, includes the brittle
upper portion of the mantle and the
crust
It is broken into huge sections
called tectonic plates
The movement of the lithosphere,
called plate tectonics, is the reason
behind a lot of Earth's most
dramatic geologic events
• Always moving; very slowly
http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~ll125/images/struct.jp
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ATMOSPHERE:
The air surrounding Earth
• 78% Nitrogen
• Just under 21%
Oxygen
• less than 1% argon,
carbon dioxide, & other
gasses
• Water vapor and dust
are also part of Earth’s
atmosphere
Acts as a gigantic filter,
keeping out most
ultraviolet radiation while
letting in the sun’s
warming rays
www.space.gc.ca
HYDROSPHERE:
All the water on or near the Earth
• The hydrosphere can be liquid, vapor, or ice
• Exists on the surface in oceans, lakes and
rivers
• Exists below ground—as groundwater, in wells
& aquifers
• Water vapor is most visible as clouds and fog
BIOSPHERE:
Composed of all living organisms
• Made up of the parts of
Earth where life exists
• Since life exists on the
ground, in the air, and in
the water, the biosphere
overlaps all of Earth’s
spheres
• Measures about 20
kilometers (12 miles) from
top to bottom
Almost all life exists between
about 500 meters) below the
ocean’s surface to about 6
kilometers above sea level
• Plants
• Animals
• One-celled organisms
7 Continents=Africa, Asia, Antarctica, South America, North
America, Europe, & Australia
5 Oceans=Southern, Arctic, Pacific, Indian, & Atlantic