THE EARTH’S STRUCTURE CONTENT
-Above the Earth: Atmosphere
Atmosphere is the layer of gases that envelops the Earth and provides the air we breath, shields
us from dangerous radiation. Moreover, atmosphere has five layers such as troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. These “sphere” come from studying the
atmosphere based on its temperature structure and the temperature influences to the thickness of
the layer. For instance, the troposphere – the closest layer to the Earth – can extend out from 8 to
16 kilometers depending on the season or latitude. Move to the stratosphere, the temperature is
warmer and the thickness is about 16 to 50 kilometers. Then, temperature goes down in the
mesosphere (50 – 85 kilometers) and rise dramatically in thermosphere. Altogether, the
atmosphere extends 480 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Waves of solar energy are
continuously moving through the various layers of the atmosphere. Furthermore, the atmosphere
naturally balances the shortwave solar energy that comes in with the longwave energy that is sent
back to space, preventing the Earth from becoming extremely hot.
-On the Earth: Biosphere
Biosphere is the thin layer of the Earth’s surface where all living things exist providing us with
oxygen, foo, and other resources. It is the place where life began to evolve from primitive single-
celled prokaryotes to the sophisticated multicellular creatures that exist today, ranging from the
atmosphere a few kilometers deep to the ocean's deep-sea vents. The biosphere is a system
characterized by the continuous cycling of matter and an accompanying flow of solar energy.
Since the biosphere is what allows life to exist, it is essential to human existence. The exchange
of gases between humans, animals, and plants is how the biosphere and atmosphere interact.
Animals and humans both breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Plants, on the other
hand, release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. Furthermore, through transpiration and the use
of soil water by plants, the biosphere and hydrosphere interact.
-Of the Earth: Lithosphere
Lithosphere is the outermost layer of Earth, consisting of the solid crust and uppermost part of
the mantle. It is divided into tectonic plates. It is closely related to almost disasters on the Earth
such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, etc. Tectonics move because they are carried
along on currents in the upper mantle, the slowly rock under the Earth’s crust. Warm mantle rock
emerges from the core, travels beneath the crust, cools, and8descends again. Tectonic plates can
allide, tear apart or lide to each other. It is called convergent boundaries, diverge boundaries and
transform boundaries. The lithosphere is important to life because it gives us a stable
environment on which to live and contains the essential minerals and nutrients we need to
survive. In addition, there are two types of lithosphere – oceanic lithosphere and continental
lithosphere. As its name, oceanic lithosphere is related to oceanic crust.
