Indirect observation: Temperatures inside the Earth
Source and interactive diagram:
Earthguide
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Questions for thought
- What personal observation makes you think that the Earth might be hot inside?
- Heating requires an energy source. What kinds of energy heat the inside of the Earth?
- At what depth is the interior of the Earth totally molten?
- Is it totally molten below the moving plates?
- Is it toally molten below midocean ridges?
- At what temperature does granite melt at the Earth's surface?
- At what temperature does glass melt at the Earth's surface?
- At what temperature does bronze melt at the Earth's surface?
- At what temperature does titanium melt at the Earth's surface?