Abstract
This chapter discusses the structure of the Earth, its thermal history, and the processes going on within it that are responsible for the generation and transport of heat. The Earth's structure can be approximated by a series of concentric spherical shells. The large-scale features of the Earth's internal structure are shown by the diagrammatic representation. The core, constituted by the two innermost regions, has the greatest average density, which is exceeding 104 kgm3. In spite of differing views on the details of the composition of the core, it is now fairly well accepted that iron–nickel alloy is the most probable constituent. The study of compressional waves that travel through the inner part of the core shows higher velocities, leading to the suggestion that the inner core is solid. The chapter also reveals a probable model of temperature distribution with depth within the Earth. The constraints for this distribution have been derived from geophysical and petrological observations and their interpretation have been derived by using experimental laboratory studies on behavior of mantle- and core-constituent minerals at high pressures and temperatures. The chapter also focuses on the special features of the earth—such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics.
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