The Geosphere

1. The Geosphere

2. Essential Question • How does the structure of the earth affect the composition and distribution of resources?

3. Earth System • Geosphere • Atmosphere • Hydrosphere • Biosphere All are connected with each other

4. Geosphere The rock and soil that make up the solid part of the earth Diameter of the earth at the equator: 12, 756km (7,926 mi.) Diameter of the earth at the poles: 12, 715km (7,901 mi.)

5. Compositional Layers • Determined by chemistry

6. Compositional Layers • Crust • Thin outer layer • 5-70km thick • Thicker but less dense under continents • Thinner but denser under oceans

7. Compositional Layers • Mantle • 2,900km • 2/3 mass of earth • Iron • Convection currents

8. Compositional Layers • Core • 3,400km thick • Densest layer • Iron and Nickel

9. Physical Layers • Determined by physical properties

10. Physical Layers • Lithosphere • 15-300km thick • Crust and upper mantle • Rigid • Tectonic plates

11. Physical Layers • Asthenosphere • 250km thick • Solid and plastic • Fluid (moves slowly)

12. Physical Layers • Mesosphere • 2,550km thick • Lower part of mantle

13. Physical Layers • Outer Core • 2,200km thick • Liquid nickel and iron • Inner Core • 1,228km thick • Solid Nickel and iron

15. Plate Tectonics • Alfred Wegener – 1912 • Continents were once single land mass • Drifted apart • Considered a crackpot • The lithosphere is broken into different plates • Plates move on top of plastic asthenosphere

16. Pangea

17. Laurasia and Gondwana 200Mya

19. Convergant Boundaries

20. Convergant Boundaries

21. Divergent Boundaries

22. Divergent Boundaries

23. Transform Boundaries

24. Ring of Fire