Subsystems
Subsystems
SUBSYSTEMS of
the EARTH
What is a SUBSYTEM?
• A subsystem is defined as a small system contained in
bigger or broader one. Just like the human body, the
earth consists of systems that coexist and interact in one
way or another. The four subsystems of Earth include the
geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. The
natural interactions that exist among these subsystems,
make life possible on this planet. In this lesson, you will
learn about the features of each of the subsystems and
explain that earth consists of these four subsystems,
across whose boundaries matter and energy flow.
2 8/6/2024 Add a footer
The four subsystems of the earth interact among each
other in countless ways. The water in the lake touches the
rocks underneath. In the process of time, such rocks will
be subject to lithification due to the action of water. Solar
energy converts the liquid water into vapor that forms
clouds. During precipitation, water returns to the lake.
•Divergent
•Convergent
•Transform
• This causes difference in ocean temperature. Specifically, the ocean water near
the equator is warm while the ocean water near the poles is cold.
• The difference in the temperature of the planet’s water leads to the difference in
density which causes water to move by means of convection. The movement of
matter as a result of difference in density is called convection current which
distributes energy in the ocean.
•Pacific Ocean
•Atlantic Ocean
•Indian Ocean
•Arctic Ocean
9 8/6/2024 Add a footer
Oceans maybe divided into layers known as zones. The zones maybe horizontal or vertical.
Horizontal zones divide the ocean from land to the sea. It consists of the:
• Coastal zone – region where see bottom is exposed during low tide and is covered during
high tide.
• Pelagic zone- located seaward of the coastal zone’s low tide mark.
a. Oceanic zone: extends a depth of 200m
b. Neritic zone: which extends at the end of the continental shift
Vertical zones divide the ocean based on depth, beginning at sea level to the deepest point
in the ocean. There are 5 zones and each zone receives different amount of sunlight.
• Epipelagic zone or sunlight zone (0-200m)
• Mesopelagic zone or twilight zone (200-1000m)
• Bathypelagic zone or midnight zone (1000-4000m)
• Abyssopelagic or Abyss (4000- 6000m)
• Hadalpelagic zone or trenches (6000m- bottom)
• Aquatic
• Forest
• Desert
• Tundra