Basic Concepts
Earth's Four Systems
What Makes Up Our Planet?
Earth is made up of four main systems that work together to support life. These systems are:
- Geosphere: The solid part of Earth, like rocks, mountains, and soil.
- Hydrosphere: All the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and even the water in the air!
- Atmosphere: The blanket of gases that surrounds our planet, which we breathe and that protects us from the Sun.
- Biosphere: All living things—plants, animals, and people.
How Do These Systems Work Together?
These systems are always interacting. For example, rain (hydrosphere) falls on the ground (geosphere), helps plants grow (biosphere), and moves through the air (atmosphere).
Why Are Earth's Systems Important?
Understanding these systems helps us learn how Earth works and how to take care of our planet.
Examples
A river (hydrosphere) eroding rocks (geosphere) and watering plants (biosphere) under the sky (atmosphere).
Plants (biosphere) using sunlight and air (atmosphere) to grow in soil (geosphere).
In a Nutshell
Earth has four main systems—geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere—that work together to support life.