Have you ever wondered, what is in the deepest part of the ground we walk on? The section is known as the earth’s core layer. The place is far ‘below’ us and no one has been able to reach it, you know.
So, how do humans know their characteristics and traits? Researchers have carried out a number of explorations to learn more about the Earth’s core. Now, IDN Times has summarized the information for you. Come on, read on!
Also Read: The Earth’s Crust Layers: Characteristics and Formation Processes
Where is the earth’s core layer located?
illustration of layers of the earth (commons.wikimedia.org/USGS)
Our earth is round. Therefore, the most appropriate location of the Earth’s core layer is in the center of the Earth or beneath the Earth’s crust and mantle. Specifically, the earth’s core was found about 2,900 kilometers below the earth’s surface with a radius of about 3,485 kilometers, reported National Geographic.
The earth’s core is divided into two, namely the inner core and the outer core. Well, these two parts have different characteristics and traits.
Characteristics of the Earth’s core layers
illustration of Earth (unsplash.com/NASA)
FYI, the Earth’s core is the hottest and densest part of the planet. Therefore, this part is often referred to as a geothermal gradient furnace. The temperature reaches around 25 degrees Celsius per kilometer of depth.
The average temperature of the Earth’s core is estimated to reach 4,500-5,500 degrees Celsius for the outer core and 5,200 degrees Celsius for the inner core. However, the exact temperature of the Earth’s core is difficult to determine. Pressure, Earth’s rotation, and elemental composition influence this.
So, why is the earth’s core so hot? According to National Geographicthe decay of radioactive elements, residual heat from the planet formation process, and the heat released when the liquid outer core freezes near the boundary with the inner core are the causes.
Almost the entire core of the earth consists of metal, especially iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni). Apart from that, there are also elements that dissolve in iron, such as siderophiles and sulfur.
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So, what is the structure of the earth’s core layer like? The following is a brief description.
The thickness of this layer is around 2,300 kilometers with a radius of around 3,400 kilometers. The density of the outer layer of the earth’s core is estimated to be much higher than the mantle and crust, around 9,900-12,200 kg/m3, reported Geology In.
The outer core of the earth is liquid. The viscosity is very low so it changes shape easily and is easy to shape. This part also experiences turbulent convection and rotates faster than the rest of the planet. This movement causes a dynamo effect which is believed to influence the Earth’s magnetic field.
The average strength of the magnetic field in the outer layer of the Earth’s core is estimated to be around 25 Gauss (2.5mT). This figure means 50 times the strength of the magnetic field on the earth’s surface.
What about the core layer of the earth’s core? The inner core of the earth is a hot, mostly solid ball of iron. It is around 2,414 kilometers thick, according to reports California Academy of Sciences. Meanwhile, the radius is around 1,220 kilometers with a pressure of almost 3.6 million atmospheres (atm).
The Earth’s inner core has a temperature far above the melting point of iron. However, its form is not liquid because the strong pressure in the inner layer of the earth’s core prevents the iron from melting, according to reports National Geographic. The pressure and density are too great for the iron atoms to turn into liquid.
Also read: How much is the land worth if it is sold? This is the nominal estimate
2024-02-26 09:06:00
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