Earth Systems and Water Cycle

Atmosphere

• Definition: The Earth system that is composed of all the gases that surround Earth.

Biosphere

• Definition: The Earth system that is composed of all the living things on Earth.

Geosphere

• Definition: The Earth system that contains all the rocky layers of the Earth.

Hydrosphere

• Definition: The Earth system that contains all of the water on Earth.

Fresh Water

• Definition: Naturally occurring water that contains little or no salt.

Ground Water

• Definition: Water that is stored in the spaces between materials beneath Earth's surface.

Reservoir

• Definition: A place where water collects.

Salt Water

• Definition: Water that contains dissolved salt.

Water Cycle

• Description: The continuous cycle of water's movement through the environment via evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.

Geologic

• Definition: Relating to the Earth's rocky inner and outer features.

Rock Cycle

• Definition: The process through which rock changes from one type to another, particularly between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types.

Air Pressure

• Definition: The weight of air pressing on all things.

Air Mass

• Definition: A body of air that has uniform temperature and humidity characteristics throughout.