The Earth's system is divided into four main spheres: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Here’s a brief distinction between them:
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Geosphere: This sphere encompasses all of the solid Earth, including the rocks, soils, and sediments found on the surface, as well as the solid rock and metals beneath the surface. It extends from the surface to the Earth's core and includes the lithosphere (the outermost part of the geosphere) and the deeper layers like the mantle and core.
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Hydrosphere: This sphere includes all the water on Earth, be it in liquid form (oceans, rivers, lakes), solid form (ice, snow), or vapor (water vapor in the atmosphere). It also encompasses groundwater.
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Atmosphere: The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding Earth. It is crucial for supporting life by providing oxygen and regulating temperature, and it also plays a key role in weather and climate.
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Biosphere: This sphere represents all living organisms and their interactions with the other spheres. It includes ecosystems and biomes, and it overlaps with parts of the atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
To answer your question directly: The geosphere is the sphere that contains solid rock both below and at Earth's surface.