GEOjärjestelmät

GEOjärjestelmät, which translates to GEOsystems in English, refers to the interconnected systems that make up the Earth's physical environment. These systems are typically categorized into four main spheres: the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The lithosphere encompasses the solid Earth, including the crust and upper mantle. The hydrosphere includes all of Earth's water, whether it's in oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, or ice. The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the planet, crucial for weather and climate. The biosphere comprises all living organisms on Earth.

These GEOsystems are not isolated but constantly interact and influence each other. For example, the movement of tectonic plates within the lithosphere can lead to volcanic activity that releases gases into the atmosphere. Water from the hydrosphere erodes rocks in the lithosphere, shaping landscapes. The atmosphere's weather patterns, driven by solar energy, influence the distribution of water and support life within the biosphere. Similarly, the biosphere, through processes like photosynthesis and respiration, impacts atmospheric composition and soil formation. Understanding these interactions is fundamental to studying Earth science, environmental change, and the complex processes that govern our planet.