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Image that says Spheres. Animation of a dinosaur juggling some planets.

Exact Spheres
In reality, of course, Earth's spheres are not really exact spheres. The "Know-it-alls" among you probably already know that Earth's lithosphere is slightly flattened along the polar axis. But the other "spheres" are not exact, either. In fact, they are kind of fuzzy. They interlock like pieces of a puzzle. For example, living things of the biosphere live underground in the lithosphere, in the oceans of the hydrosphere, and in the air of the atmosphere.

The spheres interact with each other too. Water in the oceans today evaporates into the atmosphere tomorrow, and falls as rain and soaks into the ground (part of the lithosphere) the day after.

You have contact with the different spheres almost every day:

When you climb a mountain, or dig a hole, or take a walk, you are contacting the lithosphere.

When you drink water or go swimming you are contacting the hydrosphere.

When you hold an ice cube in your hand or shovel snow you are contacting the cryosphere.

When you play with your pets or eat your lunch or talk to your friends, you are contacting the biosphere.

Every time you breathe or perspire on a hot day or fly a kite, you are contacting the atmosphere.

And when you enjoy the warm sunlight or make a wish upon a star, you are interacting with the Exo/Celestial sphere.

How long do you think you could stay alive if Earth's spheres weren't there to help you?

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Spheres
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Exosphere
Image of a star. Exact Spheres
 
             
     
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Spheres | Lithosphere | Hydrosphere | Cryosphere | Biosphere | Atmosphere | Exosphere | Exact Spheres

Diversity | Adaptation | Plate Tectonics | Cycles | Spheres | Biomes | Geologic Time

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Last updated on
April 28, 2005

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