The hydrosphere (from Greek ὕδωρ hydōr, "water" and σφαῖρα sphaira, "sphere" ) is the combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of a planet, minor planet or natural satellite. Although Earth's hydrosphere has been around for longer than 4 billion years, it continues to change in size. This is caused by seafloor spreading and continental drift, which rearranges the land and ocean.