Geosphere: Difference between revisions
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There are several conflicting definitions for '''geosphere'''. |
There are several conflicting definitions for '''geosphere'''. |
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The ''' |
The '''geosphere''' may be taken as the collective name for the [[lithosphere]], the [[hydrosphere]], the [[cryosphere]], and the [[atmosphere]].<ref>[http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/p1386a/plate-earthsystem.html] U.S. Geological Survey "components of the Earth System"</ref> |
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In [[Aristotelian physics]], the term was applied to four spherical ''natural places'', concentrically nested around the center of the Earth, as described in the lectures ''[[Physics (Aristotle)|Physica]]'' and ''[[Meteorology (Aristotle)|Meteorologica]]''. They were believed to explain the motions of the four ''[[classical element|terrestrial elements]]:'' ''[[Earth (classical element)|Earth]]'', ''[[Water (classical element)|Water]]'', ''[[Air (classical element)|Air]]'' and ''[[Fire (classical element)|Fire]]''. |
In [[Aristotelian physics]], the term was applied to four spherical ''natural places'', concentrically nested around the center of the Earth, as described in the lectures ''[[Physics (Aristotle)|Physica]]'' and ''[[Meteorology (Aristotle)|Meteorologica]]''. They were believed to explain the motions of the four ''[[classical element|terrestrial elements]]:'' ''[[Earth (classical element)|Earth]]'', ''[[Water (classical element)|Water]]'', ''[[Air (classical element)|Air]]'' and ''[[Fire (classical element)|Fire]]''. |
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In |
In modern texts and in [[Earth system science]], geosphere refers to the [[solid Earth|solid parts of the Earth]]; it is used along with [[atmosphere]], [[hydrosphere]], and [[biosphere]] to describe the systems of the Earth (the interaction of these systems with the [[magnetosphere]] is sometimes listed). In that context, sometimes the term [[lithosphere]] is used instead of geosphere or solid Earth. The lithosphere, however, only refers to the uppermost layers of the solid Earth (oceanic and continental crustal rocks and uppermost mantle).<ref>Allaby,A. and Allaby, M. (eds). 2003. The Dictionary of Earth Sciences. Oxford University Press. Oxford University Press Inc., New York. 2nd edition. pg. 320.</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Since space exploration began, it has been observed that the extent of the [[ionosphere]] or [[plasmasphere]] is highly variable, and often much larger than previously appreciated, at times extending to the boundaries of the Earth's [[magnetosphere]] or geomagnetosphere.<ref>Siscoe, G.: Aristotle on the Magnetosphere, Eos Transactions of Am. Geophys. Un., v.72, pp. 69-70, 1991.</ref> This highly variable outer boundary of ''geogenic'' matter has been referred to as the "geopause,"<ref>Moore, T.E. and D.C. Delcourt, The Geopause, Revs. Geophys., v32(2), p.175, 1995.</ref> to suggest the relative scarcity of such matter beyond it, where the [[solar wind]] dominates. wowza |
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Since space exploration began, it has been observed that the extent of the [[ionosphere]] or [[plasmasphereeeeee |
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| ⚫ | ]] is highly variable, and often much larger than previously appreciated, at times extending to the boundaries of the Earth's [[magnetosphere]] or geomagnetosphere.<ref>Siscoe, G.: Aristotle on the Magnetosphere, Eos Transactions of Am. Geophys. Un., v.72, pp. 69-70, 1991.</ref> This highly variable outer boundary of ''geogenic'' matter has been referred to as the "geopause,"<ref>Moore, T.E. and D.C. Delcourt, The Geopause, Revs. Geophys., v32(2), p.175, 1995.</ref> to suggest the relative scarcity of such matter beyond it, where the [[solar wind]] dominates. |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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Revision as of 15:52, 2 November 2016
There are several conflicting definitions for geosphere.
The geosphere may be taken as the collective name for the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere.[1]
In Aristotelian physics, the term was applied to four spherical natural places, concentrically nested around the center of the Earth, as described in the lectures Physica and Meteorologica. They were believed to explain the motions of the four terrestrial elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire.
In modern texts and in Earth system science, geosphere refers to the solid parts of the Earth; it is used along with atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere to describe the systems of the Earth (the interaction of these systems with the magnetosphere is sometimes listed). In that context, sometimes the term lithosphere is used instead of geosphere or solid Earth. The lithosphere, however, only refers to the uppermost layers of the solid Earth (oceanic and continental crustal rocks and uppermost mantle).[2]
Since space exploration began, it has been observed that the extent of the ionosphere or plasmasphere is highly variable, and often much larger than previously appreciated, at times extending to the boundaries of the Earth's magnetosphere or geomagnetosphere.[3] This highly variable outer boundary of geogenic matter has been referred to as the "geopause,"[4] to suggest the relative scarcity of such matter beyond it, where the solar wind dominates. wowza
Notes
- ^ [1] U.S. Geological Survey "components of the Earth System"
- ^ Allaby,A. and Allaby, M. (eds). 2003. The Dictionary of Earth Sciences. Oxford University Press. Oxford University Press Inc., New York. 2nd edition. pg. 320.
- ^ Siscoe, G.: Aristotle on the Magnetosphere, Eos Transactions of Am. Geophys. Un., v.72, pp. 69-70, 1991.
- ^ Moore, T.E. and D.C. Delcourt, The Geopause, Revs. Geophys., v32(2), p.175, 1995.
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