The active masses of water that constantly move or evaporate from the oceans to the atmosphere and the water that precipitates to the land and flows back to the ocean are collectively defined as the hydrosphere. On the other hand, geosphere is the solid part of the Earth.

The hydrosphere includes the oceans and fresh water found underground, in the streams, lakes, and glaciers. Though the glaciers are mostly found over the land, as it consists of water, it forms a part of the hydrosphere. About 69 percent of the Earth's freshwater is stored up within the glaciers.