The geosphere has four subsystems called the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere. Because these subsystems interact with each other and the biosphere, they work together to influence the climate, trigger geological processes, and affect life all over the Earth.
Unless you live in the air like a bird, you make your home in the lithosphere along with all other life forms that live on land. The lithosphere, which consists of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, also contains rocks, forests, mountains and all the earth's other landforms. It depth is about 100 kilometers (22 miles). The lithosphere always changes because of geological processing happening above and below ground.
Perched above the other subsystems you'll find the atmosphere. Essential to life on the planet, it only makes up about 0.07 percent of the Earth's mass. The atmosphere contains several layers including the troposphere, a layer that interacts with the other subsystems. Although oxygen is a critical gas that sustains life, the lower atmosphere only contains 20.95 percent oxygen and 78.08 percent nitrogen. The atmosphere is always in motion responding to temperature changes that occur in other parts of the Earth system.
The hydrosphere contains the planet's water whether it's in the oceans, lakes or rivers. It also consists of water vapor that condenses to form clouds. The atmosphere can also affect the hydrosphere. For instance, the ocean's temperature changes when the air temperature fluctuates. These temperature changes, in turn, can help spawn hurricanes that affect the other subsystems. The ocean is the hydrosphere's largest component.
Similar to the hydrosphere, the cryosphere also contains the planet's water. However, this subsystem consists of solid water. That water may be in the form of glaciers, snow, ice in the ocean, permafrost and even frozen ground. Changes in temperature and sea levels can have a major effect on the cryosphere, especially when warmer temperatures cause ice to melt. Melting ice can affect polar bears and other life in this subsystem. Because ice reflects sunlight and oceans absorb it, less ice due to melting can translate into higher temperatures.