The Interior of the Earth
The exact knowledge about the interior of the earth still remains an enigma. Yet knowledge of the structure, composition and the processes going on within it would certainly help scientists answer questions regarding crystal motion, earthquakes, the volcanic eruptions and the origins of the continents and of the earth itself.
To quote Monk house, “The condition of the interior of the earth is for the most part outside the province of the geographer, “its study belongs to the geophysicist. Nevertheless, certain facts are relevant in order to help the understanding of surface features.”
The uncertainties of the earth’s interior are due to the fact it is at such a great distance (6400 km) from the surface of the earth that makes it practically out of bounds for direct observation.
As the earth gradually solidified, heavier elements slowly sank towards the center, and lighter elements slowly moved upward to the surface concentrating in the earth’s crust.
Earth’s interior is arranged roughly in concentric layers, each one distinct either in chemical composition or temperature, with heat radiating outward from the centre by conduction and then by physical convection in the more plastic levels nearer the surface.
It is interesting to know as to how scientists gathered knowledge about these layers and what the characteristics of each of these layers are.
