Realms of Earth
Reading Material: Realms of the Earth
Astro-physicists and scientists believe that there could be quite a few planets in the Universe similar to our planet
Earth. There is also a probable chance that some form of life prevails and sustains in one of such planet.
However, so far as we presently know, the Earth is the only planet which supports life which makes it a very unique planet. It is therefore imperative (very important and necessary) for us to understand the spheres of the Earth as the spheres play a crucial role to enable life forms to evolve, prevail and sustain.
The three main components of the Earth are water, air and soil. They are not only in contact with each other but are also interactive and interdependent. Life exists only where these three components interact.
The Earth’s system consists of four major subsystems.
They are known as domains, spheres or realms. They are the Lithosphere (land), Hydrosphere (water), Atmosphere (air) and Biosphere (the parts of the Earth where life is found, including land, water and the lower part of the atmosphere).
LITHOSPHERE: the realm of land & MAJOR LANDFORMS
The Lithosphere is the solid surface layer of the Earth. It is generally referred to as the crust. It consists of all the land masses on the surface of the Earth. The surface of the Earth is very uneven. There are:
High mountains, e.g., the Himalayas, the Rockies, the Andes, the Alps.
Vast plains, e.g., the great plains of India, USA and Brazil.
Deep valleys.
The two main features on the Earth’s surface are the continents and oceanic basins. Continents are large, distinct land masses usually separated by vast water-bodies (oceans and seas). There are seven major continents in the world. They are Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South Ame rica, Australia and Antarctica.
Most of the land masses lie in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere has relatively fewer land masses. Collectively, the land masses are known as the lithosphere. The
Astro-physicists and scientists believe that there could be quite a few planets in the Universe similar to our planet
Earth. There is also a probable chance that some form of life prevails and sustains in one of such planet.
However, so far as we presently know, the Earth is the only planet which supports life which makes it a very unique planet. It is therefore imperative (very important and necessary) for us to understand the spheres of the Earth as the spheres play a crucial role to enable life forms to evolve, prevail and sustain.
The three main components of the Earth are water, air and soil. They are not only in contact with each other but are also interactive and interdependent. Life exists only where these three components interact.
The Earth’s system consists of four major subsystems.
They are known as domains, spheres or realms. They are the Lithosphere (land), Hydrosphere (water), Atmosphere (air) and Biosphere (the parts of the Earth where life is found, including land, water and the lower part of the atmosphere).
LITHOSPHERE: the realm of land & MAJOR LANDFORMS
The Lithosphere is the solid surface layer of the Earth. It is generally referred to as the crust. It consists of all the land masses on the surface of the Earth. The surface of the Earth is very uneven. There are:
High mountains, e.g., the Himalayas, the Rockies, the Andes, the Alps.
Vast plains, e.g., the great plains of India, USA and Brazil.
Deep valleys.
The two main features on the Earth’s surface are the continents and oceanic basins. Continents are large, distinct land masses usually separated by vast water-bodies (oceans and seas). There are seven major continents in the world. They are Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South Ame rica, Australia and Antarctica.
Most of the land masses lie in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere has relatively fewer land masses. Collectively, the land masses are known as the lithosphere. The