Composition and Structure of Earth’s Interior

The earth’s interior is that portion which is, possibly, not reachable for us. The parts from where the sample is not supposed to be taken in our hands are difficult to understand and very well-directed.

You must have seen the vendor selling watermelon on the roadside who used to get a slice out of it. We can see the quality of watermelon with our own eyes, or even you can test the same before buying. Our earth is not like the watermelon from where we can get the sample slice to study in detail.

The Constitution of the earth’s interior is the study of understanding the internal parts of the earth in terms of the real conditions existing there. These conditions could be about the state of rocks, or temperature, or pressure, or the chemical composition of the rocks at various depths. The study is facilitated by different branches/ disciplines of modern knowledge, like science in general and physics, chemistry, and seismology in particular.

Meaning of Composition and Structure

In very simple terms, the meaning of composition is what something consists of. In other words, it is a unit of different parts for making a total. When we are referring to the composition of the earth, we are supposed to study the earth with respect to the material of which it is composed. The materials of the earth’s surface are different from the interior.

By material, we generally denote different kinds of rocks occupying different volumes and mass it has. It includes the physical state of the rock, density, temperature or even the pressure they are bearing at different depths.

The structure is something to do with the overall assemblage of an object. In other words, it is the unified total made up of different parts. When referring to the earth’s structure, we are supposed to study the earth with respect to the parts making the total.

The arrangement of different parts of the earth gives a clear picture of the whole of the earth. Therefore, the earth’s structure is the way different parts are put together to get the plan or design of the earth.

The Earth’s Interior

The real sample is not possible to get from the earth’s deeper internal parts. Even if the internal material is ejected or received provides a different condition at the earth’s surface. The material’s temperature or the pressure recorded in the interior is different in comparison when it comes to the surface. Therefore, to study the Earth’s interior, we have to take the help of two sources:

Artificial Sources to Study Earth’s Interior

Natural Sources to Study Earth’s Interior

Internal Structure of Earth

Chemical Composition and Layering of Earth

The upper thin layer of the earth is accessible to humankind and can be studied to know every detail directly. The interior of the earth is thousands of km deep and directly inaccessible. Therefore, a direct method of study is impossible. The interior is studied indirectly based on the principles of science and their derivations.

In a very conclusive manner, it can briefly be stated that the temperature, pressure and density are increasing with increasing depths. The nature of the materials is changing. The surface is made up of such materials which are lesser in density. The minerals constituting the surface rocks are different from that of the interior.

Based on the chemical constitution, the interior is classified into three SIAL, SIMA and NIFE. Seismic waves are the only source to reveal the interior. Depending upon the propagation of P and S waves in the interior, three very distinct layers, crust, mantle and core, are identified with distinct separating boundaries.

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2. Epeirogenic Earth Movements
3. Orogenic Earth Movements
4. Cymatogenic Earth Movements
5. Concept of Stress and Strain in Rocks
6. Folds in Geography
7. Fault in Geography
8. Mountain Building Process
9. Morphogenetic Regions
10. Isostasy: Concept of Airy, Pratt, Hayford & Bowie and Jolly
11. Continental Drift Theory of Alfred Lothar Wegener (1912)
12. Plate Tectonics: Assumptions, Evidences, Plate Boundaries and Features Formed
13. Volcanoes: Process, Products, Types, Landforms and Distribution
14. Earthquakes: Processes, Causes and Measurement
15. Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
16. Composition and Structure of Earth’s Interior
17. Artificial Sources to Study Earth’s Interior
18. Natural Sources to Study Earth’s Interior
19. Internal Structure of Earth
20. Chemical Composition and Layering of Earth
21. Weathering: Definition and Types
22. Mass Wasting: Concept, Factors and Types
23. Models of Slope Development: Davis, Penck, King, Wood and Strahler
24. Davis Model of Cycle of Erosion
25. Penck’s Model of Slope Development
26. King’s Model of Slope Development
27. Alan Wood’s Model of Slope Evolution
28. Strahler’s Model of Slope Development
29. Development of Slope
30. Elements of Slope
31. Interruptions to Normal Cycle of Erosion
32. Channel Morphology and Classification
33. Drainage System and Drainage Pattern
34. River Capture or Stream Capture
35. Stream Channel Pattern
36. Fluvial Processes and Landforms: Erosional & Depositional
37. Delta: Definition, Formation and Types
38. Aeolian Processes and Landforms: Erosional & Depositional
39. Desertification: Definition, Problem and Prevention
40. Glacier: Definition, Types and Glaciated Areas
41. Glacial Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
42. Periglacial: Meaning, Processes and Landforms
43. Karst Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
44. Karst Cycle of Erosion
45. Coastal Processes: Waves, Tides, Currents and Winds
46. Coastal Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
47. Rocks: Types, Formation and Rock Cycle
48. Igneous Rocks: Meaning, Types and Formation
49. Sedimentary Rocks: Meaning, Types and Formation
50. Metamorphic Rocks: Types, Formation and Metamorphism
51. Morphometric Analysis of River Basins
52. Soil Erosion: Meaning, Types and Factors
53. Urban Geomorphology: Concept and Significance
54. Hydrogeomorphology: Concept, Fundamentals and Applications
55. Economic Geomorphology: Concept and Significance
56. Geomorphic Hazard- Earthquake: Concept, Causes and Measurement
57. Geomorphic Hazard- Tsunami: Meaning and Causes
58. Geomorphic Hazard- Landslides: Concept, Types and Causes
59. Geomorphic Hazard- Avalanches: Definition, Types and Factors
60. Integrated Coastal Zone Management: Concept, Objectives, Principles and Issues
61. Watershed: Definition, Delineation and Characteristics
62. Watershed Management: Objective, Practice and Monitoring
63. Applied Geomorphology: Concept and Applications