Major Domains of the Earth - Long Answer Questions
Lithosphere (Land), Hydrosphere (Water), Atmosphere (Air), Biosphere (Life).
The solid portion of the earth on which we live. It comprises the rocks of the earth's crust and thin layers of soil.
Continents (large landmasses) and Ocean basins (huge water bodies).
The level of seawater remains the same everywhere. Elevation of land is measured from the level of the sea, which is taken as zero.
Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Antarctica.
The largest continent. Covers 1/3 of total land area. Lies in Eastern Hemisphere. Tropic of Cancer passes through it. Separated from Europe by Ural mountains.
Second largest continent. The Equator runs almost through the middle. Only continent where Tropic of Cancer, Equator, and Tropic of Capricorn pass. Sahara Desert is here.
Third largest continent. Linked to South America by the Isthmus of Panama. Lies completely in Northern and Western Hemisphere.
Completely in the Southern Hemisphere. Huge size. South Pole lies almost at the center. Permanently covered with ice sheets. No permanent human settlement. Research stations: Maitri, Dakshin Gangotri.
The domain of water. Covers 71% of earth. 97% is salt water (oceans). Only 0.03% is fresh water available for use.
Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, Arctic Ocean.
Largest ocean. Spread over 1/3 of earth. Mariana Trench (deepest point) lies here. Almost circular in shape.
Second largest. 'S' shaped. Flanked by North/South Americas and Europe/Africa. Coastline is highly indented (good for harbours).
The layer of gas that surrounds the earth. Extends up to 1600 km. Provides air we breathe and protects from sun's harmful rays.
Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), other gases like CO2, Argon (1%).
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.
The narrow zone of contact between land, water, and air. It is in this zone that life exists.
Increase in the amount of CO2 leads to an increase in global temperatures.
The Isthmus of Panama. (An isthmus is a narrow strip of land joining two landmasses).
The Palk Strait. (A strait is a narrow passage of water connecting two large water bodies).
Major Domains of the Earth - Important Facts
Mt. Everest is the highest peak (8848m).
Mariana Trench is the deepest point (11,022m).
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest first (1953).
Junko Tabei was the first woman on Everest (1975).
Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman on Everest (1984).
Asia is the largest continent.
Europe is smaller than Asia.
Ural mountains separate Europe and Asia.
Eurasia = Europe + Asia.
Africa is the second largest continent.
Sahara is the world's largest hot desert.
Nile is the world's longest river (Africa).
North America is the third largest.
Amazon is the world's largest river (South America).
Andes is the world's longest mountain range (South America).
Australia is the smallest continent.
Australia is called the 'Island Continent'.
Antarctica is covered in thick ice sheets.
Maitri and Bharati are Indian stations in Antarctica.
Hydrosphere is 71% of Earth.
More than 97% of water is salt water.
Pacific Ocean is the largest.
Atlantic Ocean is the busiest for trade.
Indian Ocean is named after a country.
Arctic Ocean is located within the Arctic Circle.
Atmosphere extends up to 1600 km.
Nitrogen is needed for growth of living organisms.
Oxygen is the breath of life.
CO2 absorbs heat radiated by earth (Greenhouse effect).
Density of air decreases with height.
Air pressure varies from place to place.
Air moves from high pressure to low pressure.
Moving air is called Wind.
Biosphere contains all forms of life.
Organisms: Plant kingdom and Animal kingdom.
Tsunami is a huge sea wave caused by earthquakes.
Andaman and Nicobar islands were submerged in 2004 Tsunami.
Indira Point got submerged in 2004.
Industrial emissions pollute the air.
Waste water pollutes the hydrosphere.
Cutting forests leads to soil erosion.
Earth is the only planet with life.
Bering Strait connects Arctic and Pacific oceans.
Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica.
Atlantic coastline is indented (good for ports).
Biosphere makes Earth unique.
Mountaineers carry oxygen cylinders.
Temperature decreases as we go up.
Seawater level is the reference for height (0).
Major Domains of the Earth - Important Dates/Coordinates
Hillary and Norgay climb Everest
Junko Tabei climbs Everest
Bachendri Pal climbs Everest