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.
Read More in Geomorphology
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- Epeirogenic Earth Movements
- Orogenic Earth Movements
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- Concept of Stress and Strain in Rocks
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- Fault in Geography
- Mountain Building Process
- Morphogenetic Regions
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- Volcanoes: Process, Products, Types, Landforms and Distribution
- Earthquakes: Processes, Causes and Measurement
- Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
- Composition and Structure of Earth’s Interior
- Artificial Sources to Study Earth’s Interior
- Natural Sources to Study Earth’s Interior
- Internal Structure of Earth
- Chemical Composition and Layering of Earth
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- Mass Wasting: Concept, Factors and Types
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