Word: Geosphere
Definition: The geosphere is a noun that refers to the solid part of the Earth. This includes the Earth's crust (the outer layer) and the outer mantle (the layer beneath the crust). It's basically everything that is solid and not liquid or gas, like rocks, soil, and minerals.
"The geosphere includes mountains, valleys, and the Earth's crust that supports all life."
In more advanced contexts, you might encounter phrases like "interactions between the geosphere and biosphere," which discuss how the solid Earth interacts with living organisms and ecosystems.
There are no significantly different meanings for "geosphere," but it’s often discussed in relation to other spheres of the Earth, such as the atmosphere (the air), hydrosphere (water), and biosphere (life).
While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "geosphere," you might hear phrases like: - "Down to earth" (meaning practical or realistic, which can relate to the solid aspects of the Earth). - "Get to the root of the matter" (which can metaphorically relate to understanding foundational issues, similar to understanding the geosphere).