Hydrosphere

Hydrosphere

A hydrosphere (from Greek "ύδωρ" - "hydor", "water" + "σφαίρα" - "sphaira", "sphere") in physical geography describes the collective mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of a planet.

Other hydrospheres

A thick hydrosphere is thought to exist around the Jovian moon Europa. The outer layer of this hydrosphere is almost entirely frozen, but current models predict that there is an ocean up to 100 km in depth underneath the ice. This ocean remains in a liquid form due to tidal flexing of the moon in its orbit around Jupiter.

It has been suggested that the Jovian moon Ganymede and the Saturnian moon Enceladus may also possess sub-surface oceans. However the ice covering is expected to be thicker on Jupiter's Ganymede than on Europa.

ee also

* Biosphere
* Cryosphere
* Earth's atmosphere
* Lithosphere
* Pedosphere
* Table of Global Climate System Components
* Water Cycle

References

External links

* [http://capp.water.usgs.gov/GIP/gw_gip/index.html Ground Water - USGS]


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  • hydrosphère — [ idrɔsfɛr ] n. f. • 1897; de hydro et sphère ♦ Géogr. L élément liquide de la Terre (eau liquide, glaces et neiges, vapeur d eau). ● hydrosphère nom féminin Totalité des eaux de la planète, comprenant aussi bien les océans, les mers, les lacs,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Hydrosphere — Hydrosphère L hydrosphère est la partie de la planète occupée par l eau liquide (océans, mers, lacs, fleuves, nappes phréatiques) et solide (calottes polaires, glaciers, banquise). Cette sphère s étend depuis environ 8 km d altitude (la cime des… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • hydrosphere — [hī΄drōsfir΄, hī΄drəsfir΄] n. [ HYDRO + SPHERE] all the water on the surface of the earth, including oceans, lakes, glaciers, etc.: water vapor, clouds, etc. may be considered part of the atmosphere or the hydrosphere …   English World dictionary

  • Hydrosphere — Hy dro*sphere, n. [Pref. hydro , 1 + sphere.] 1. (Meteor.) The aqueous vapor of the entire atmosphere. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] 2. (Phys. Geog.) The aqueous envelope of the earth, including the ocean, all lakes, streams, and underground waters, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hydrosphere — 1887, from HYDRO (Cf. hydro ) + SPHERE (Cf. sphere) …   Etymology dictionary

  • hydrosphere — ► NOUN ▪ the seas, lakes, and other waters of the earth s surface, considered collectively …   English terms dictionary

  • hydrosphere — /huy dreuh sfear /, n. the water on or surrounding the surface of the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in the atmosphere. [1885 90; HYDRO 1 + SPHERE] * * * Discontinuous layer of water at or near the Earth s surface. It… …   Universalium

  • Hydrosphère — L hydrosphère est la partie de la planète occupée par l eau liquide (océans, mers, lacs, fleuves, nappes phréatiques, nuages) , solide (calottes polaires, glaciers, banquise) et gazeuse (vapeur d eau). Cette sphère s étend depuis environ 8 km d… …   Wikipédia en Français

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  • hydrosphere — hidrosfera statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Žemę gaubiantis nevientisas vandens sluoksnis, Žemės vandenų visuma (vandenynai, jūros, atmosferos, sausumos vandenys). Vanduo dengia 70,8 % Žemės rutulio paviršiaus. atitikmenys:… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

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