Spheres of the Earth:Atmosphere vs. Lithosphere vs. Hydrosphere vs. Biosphere

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth

Lithosphere

The solid outer layer of Earth

Hydrosphere

All of Earth's water in every form — liquid

Biosphere

The zone of life on Earth — all living organisms and the environments they inhabit. It extends from deep ocean floors to high mountain peaks

Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere (0–12 km) where weather occurs and most life exists. It contains the majority of atmospheric mass and water vapor.

Stratosphere

The atmospheric layer above the troposphere (12–50 km). It contains the ozone layer

Mesosphere

The atmospheric layer from 50–80 km high. It is the coldest layer and is where most meteors burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere.

Thermosphere

The atmospheric layer from 80–600 km high. Temperatures are extremely high due to solar radiation absorption. The auroras (Northern/Southern Lights) occur here.

Tectonic Plates

Large sections of the lithosphere that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. Their movement drives earthquakes

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water through the hydrosphere — evaporation

Groundwater

Water stored underground in aquifers within the lithosphere. It is a major source of drinking water and feeds springs and rivers.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms (biosphere) interacting with their physical environment (atmosphere

Ozone Layer

A region of the stratosphere rich in ozone (O₃) that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation

Erosion

The process by which the hydrosphere and atmosphere wear away the lithosphere — moving rock

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and other organisms in the biosphere convert sunlight