What Does geosphere Mean
In order to know the meaning of the term geosphere, we will first know what its etymological origin is. Thus, we can establish that it is a word that derives from Greek, specifically it is the result of the sum of the following lexical components of that language:
-The noun “geos”, which can be translated as “earth”.
-The word “sphaira”, which is synonymous with “sphere”.
Called geosphere to the solid area of our planet is made up of concentric layers . It is the internal structure that goes from the earth's core to the lithosphere.
The Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) accepts both the term geosphere (accentuated in the second E ) and geosphere (with an accent in the O ). Therefore it can be a grave or esdrújula word, depending on the chosen form.
The geosphere forms the seabed , thus counting on submerged parts. It also emerges in the development of islands and continents .
If we take into account the composition of the Earth's layers, we can establish that it has three: crust, mantle and core. However, if what we take into consideration is the set of physical properties of the Earth's layers, we can indicate that it is made up of lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, endosphere and inner core.
In the broadest sense, three concentric layers are recognized: the core , the mantle and the crust .
The innermost layer is the nucleus , which is at a very high temperature. The core can be divided into inner core and outer core, which are made up of metals such as iron. The middle layer is called the mantle, where the magma is found. Finally, the outermost layer is the cortex. The upper zone of the mantle and the crust, on the other hand, form the lithosphere (or lithosphere).
Of the lithosphere we can also underline that it is made up of low density rocks and is divided into two clearly differentiated parts:
-The lower layer, which also responds to the name SIMA because it is made up of rocks such as silica and magnesium. Specifically, these rocks do not exceed a density of 3.4. It is responsible for shaping both the bottom of the oceans and the base of the continents.
-The upper layer is called SIAL, since it is made up of rocks such as silica and aluminum. Those have a density of around 2.5. Of this layer it is necessary to emphasize, in addition, that it is the one that is in charge of giving form to the continents.
The minerals that make up rocks are the component of the crust, the surface layer of the geosphere. These minerals determine the properties of the rocks, such as their hardness, their brightness or their color. According to their origin, rocks can be metamorphic (arisen from the compression or heating of other rocks), igneous (created by the solidification of magma) or sedimentary (that appear by the union of parts of rocks or remains of living beings).