4.1.1. Atmosphere/hydrosphere Because of their accessibility, the gaseous and hydrous portions of the Earth are amongst the best known geochemical reservoirs and they are characterized by processes with the shortest time constants. The hydrosphere includes oceans, lakes, ice, and subsurface water with...
Groundwater, water that occurs below the surface of Earth, where it occupies all or part of the void spaces in soils or geologic strata. Groundwater plays a vital role in the development of arid and semiarid zones, sometimes supporting agricultural and i
activity and forecasting eruptions, and instituting procedures for evacuating populations. In addition, volcanism affects humankind inbeneficialways. Volcanism provides beautiful scenery, fertilesoils, valuablemineraldeposits, andgeothermal energy. Overgeologic time, volcanoes recycle Earth’shydrosphereand ...