Final answer:
The mining of minerals such as gold, iron, and silver directly affects the geosphere; mold on a plant impacts the biosphere. Earthquakes contributing to mountain formation affect the geosphere, while deforestation impacts the biosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining whether an event most directly affects the geosphere or the biosphere, we consider the component of the Earth's system it impacts the most. Mining of gold, iron, and silver directly impacts the geosphere, as it involves extraction of minerals from the Earth's crust. Mold growing on a plant affects the biosphere since it involves a living organism interacting with another living organism.
An earthquake that leads to the formation of a new mountain is an event affecting the geosphere because it involves the movement and alteration of the Earth's crust. Lastly, deforestation affects the biosphere since it involves the removal of living trees which are part of the Earth's community of living organisms. Events like these illustrate the dynamic processes that shape our planet's physical and biological landscapes.