Earth as a System

Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds our home planet. Besides providing us with something to breathe, the atmosphere helps make life on Earth possible in several ways.

The biosphere is all life on our planet. Interdisciplinary research combining biochemistry, geochemistry, biology, hydrology, and atmospheric science helps us to better understand the biosphere’s role in the Earth system and, in particular, how biogeochemical cycles affect the Earth system.

The geosphere includes the rocks and minerals on Earth – from the molten rock and heavy metals in the deep interior of the planet to the sand on beaches and peaks of mountains. Beyond these parts, the geosphere is about the processes responsible for the constant recycling of rocks on Earth.

There are many different types of frozen water on Earth. Collectively, they are known as the cryosphere and are tied to the other parts of the Earth system.

Water can be in the atmosphere, on the land, in the ocean, and underground. It moves from place to place through the water cycle.

All of the atoms that are building blocks of living things are a part of biogeochemical cycles. The most common of these are the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Why are seasonal temperature extremes milder near large bodies of water and more extreme further inland? It has to do with thermal inertia.

Accounting for all the energy that enters and leaves the Earth system helps us understand why the planet is warming. This accounting of energy is known as Earth’s radiation budget.

Conduction is one of the three main ways that heat energy moves from place to place.

See how Earth's temperature would change if the Sun's brightness increased or dimmed or if Earth's albedo was different.