Answer: The geosphere refers to the solid parts of the Earth, including its rocks, minerals, and soils. It extends from the surface of the Earth down to its core and includes everything from the sand on beaches to the molten rock in the deep interior of the planet.
The structure of the geosphere can be studied from both a chemical and geological perspective. Chemically, the geosphere is composed of three main layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core2. The crust is the outermost layer, ranging from 0 to 35 km in depth, and is in contact with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
In addition to its composition, the geosphere is also characterized by various processes that constantly recycle rocks on Earth between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic states. These processes include metamorphism, melting and solidification, weathering, erosion, deposition, and burial1. The primary agent driving these processes is the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates, which creates mountains, volcanoes, and ocean basins.
Overall, the geosphere is a complex and dynamic system that plays a vital role in shaping our planet.