how we know what inside of the center of the earth if we never been there ?
In: Earth Science
It’s a jigsaw puzzle with lots of pieces. From seismology we can measure the speed of sound in different places inside the earth. In the lab, you can then measure the speed of sound in lots of different combinations of materials, pressures, and temperatures.
Then it’s a bit of a guessing game based on our knowledge of the elements and compounds found in lava, etc. This mineral, at this temperature and pressure, has these properties. If a region contains these elements at these ratios, at this temperature and this pressure, what will be the combination of mineral compounds? If the pressure and temperature at this depth is typically these values, then the pressure and temperature this much deeper would probably be *these* values. And that would mean that *this* mineral would be more likely. (or maybe, *this* combination of elements in a molten solution, with *this* combination of other elements as crystals, etc.) Then add in what we know about the magnetic field.
Latest Answers