The hydrosphere

The idea

All the water on Earth — in ponds, lakes, rivers, springs, seas, oceans and groundwater, covering about 70 per cent of the surface — forms the hydrosphere.

Water everywhere

Water covers about 70 per cent of the Earth's surface.

What is all the water on Earth together called?

• The hydrosphere
• The geosphere
• The biosphere

In or out

Tap the bin where each belongs.

All the water

Water covers about 70 per cent of the Earth's surface and is found in ponds, lakes, rivers, springs, seas, oceans and groundwater. All this water forms the hydrosphere.

The hydrosphere is all the water on Earth: ponds, lakes, rivers, springs, seas, oceans and groundwater. Water covers about 70 per cent of the surface.

Notes

The hydrosphere = all the water on Earth (about 70 % of the surface).

Check yourself

All the water on Earth forms the …

Water covers about what per cent of the Earth's surface?

Answer: 70 %

Water covers about 70 per cent of the Earth's surface.

Which of these is part of the hydrosphere?

The hydrosphere is home to …

• geosphere. The geosphere is the solid part.
• biosphere. The biosphere is all living beings and where they live.
• hydrosphere — correct. Yes!
• Groundwater — correct. Yes!
• Soil. Soil is part of the geosphere.
• Minerals. Minerals are part of the geosphere.
• no life. The hydrosphere is home to millions of life forms.
• millions of life forms — correct. Yes!
• only fish. It is home to millions of life forms, from tiny plankton to giant whales.