Earth

Interior

Chapter XI

November 2020
Tarbuck&Lutgens, 2017
How to “see” into the earth?
Ideal way → Digging or drilling a hole into the crust.
Unfortunately, this method only reach shallow depths.

Seismic waves
Source: earthquake waves
Component: P travels through liquid, S cannot pass liquid
Behaviour: reflected and refracted
 Geodynamics
Other discipline to obtain information about
earth interior: geochemistry and mathematics.
To build these models of the large-scale behavior
of the Earth → Geodynamics.
Key aspects (but generalized):
- Gravity couples to density contrast
- Rock rheology
- Temperature as a function of heat generation,
conduction, and material movement.

Tarbuck&Lutgens, 2017
Tectonics impact to
surface topography
 Geosyncline Theory
Obsolete geological concept developed in the late 19th
century.

Based on the Paleozoic sedimentary sequences in New York

State show a systematic thickening from west to east across
the state, common in most mountain ranges, which is the
result of long continued subsidence of the Earth's crust (Hall,
1859; Dana, 1873).
 the coastlines are matched at
a depth of 1,000 metres below
current sea level

Tectonic Plate
Pioneered by Alfred Lothar Wegener.
Published “The Origin of Continents and Oceans” with the
continental drift theory in it. Based on: Jigsaw fit, geological
fit, tectonic fit, glacial deposit and fossil evidence.
 Tectonic Plate
– Oceanic Crust
More dense
Made of mostly Basalt
Thickness ranging in 5-10 km
Younger age
– Continental Crust
Less dense
Made of mostly granite
Thickness ranging in 30-50km
Older age
Surface Topography: Land
Surface Topography: Sub-sea
Surface Topography: Sub-sea
 Plate Tectonic

Types of plate boundary.

Continental Crust
Continental Margin
Continental Margin
 Continental Margin

Active Continental Margin

Located along convergent plate
boundaries.
Oceanic-continental
Continental-continental
 Continental Margin

– Passive Continental Margin

Not a zone of crustal tectonic activity, therefore less
associated with earthquake activity.
Oceanic Crust
 Oceanic Crust

– Deep Ocean trenches

Long, narrow creases in the seafloor, the deepest part of
the ocean floor. Most trenches are along the Pacific
Ocean margin.
 Oceanic Crust

– Abyssal plains
Flat features of the deep-ocean floor, can cover 1.300 km

– Seamounts and Volcanic Islands

Oceanic Crust (Hotspot)
Oceanic Crust (Hotspot)
Oceanic Crust (Hotspot)
– Mid Oceanic Ridge