We explain what the Earth's core is, its parts, temperature and other characteristics. Also, how it was formed together with the Earth.
What is the earth's core?
In geology, it is known as the Earth's core or the Earth's core. the deepest internal portion of our planet's structure that is, to its very central sphere. It is located below the Earth's mantle, about 2,900 kilometers below the planetary surface.
Being the deepest layer of the planet, it is a very hot and dense place, which has very particular characteristics with respect to the most superficial layers, and also with respect to the other known planets, since the Earth is the densest body of all the planets. that exist in the Solar System (with an average density of 5515 kg/m3).
For example, given its majority composition of iron and nickel (for which it was formerly known as NiFe, due to its chemical symbols), as well as other ferromagnetic minerals, The rotation of this inner sphere is responsible for generating the electromagnetic field that surrounds the planet (known as magnetosphere), which protects us from continuously emitted solar radiation.
Obviously, no one has ever been to the Earth's core. Humanity's deepest excavations have barely managed to descend 12.3 km below the surface, so Scientific explorations of the core consist of theoretical and deductive analyzes or approximation studies through the reading of natural or artificial seismic waves.
See also: Layers of the Earth
Characteristics of the earth's core
The Earth's core is characterized by the following:
- It is the planetary center itself, a very dense and very hot place. Its average density is estimated at 11,000 kg/m3 and its average temperature exceeds 6700 degrees Celsius.
- The core It is mainly composed of iron with 5-10% nickel and other minor elements such as sulfur and oxygen. These materials exist in liquid form on the outside of the core and solid in its internal portion.
- The earth's core It is a sphere of radius about 3500 km which represents 32% of the total mass of the Earth, and is larger in itself than the entire planet Mars.
- It is divided into two portions: an outer core (liquid) and an inner core (solid).
Formation of the earth's core
The components of the Earth's core were present when the planet was born approximately 4.6 billion years ago. Like the rest of the material in the Solar System, the Earth went through stages of intense initial temperatures, which allowed the formation of particularly dense metallic alloys in its center. These materials still remain in their metallic core, subjected to the immense effect of gravity and pressure.
However, the nucleus as such arose much later, thanks to the differentiation of terrestrial materials as the planet cooled. Thus, lighter materials, such as most silicates, formed the outer layers of the mantle and crust, while iron and various heavy and radioactive materials remained at the bottom. This process is known as “planetary differentiation.”
Earth's core temperature
As we have said, the temperature of the Earth's core It is very high, reaching 6700 degrees Celsius: hotter than the outermost surface of the Sun.
Subdivisions of the Earth's core
The core of the Earth is divided into two clearly differentiated portions:
- The outer core that is, its most superficial layer, consists of around 2,200 kilometers of iron, nickel and other molten metals, at temperatures ranging between 4500 and 5500 degrees Celsius. It is a layer of very low viscosity, subject to very violent convection processes, whose movement is generated precisely by the Earth's magnetosphere, acting like a gigantic dynamo.
- The inner core that is, its deepest layer, has a radius of approximately 1,255 kilometers, composed of 70% iron and 30% nickel in a solid alloy. There is also a minimum percentage of other heavy minerals such as lead, iridium and titanium, all compacted in the same extremely dense and heavy matter, at such high temperatures that it is not capable of generating electromagnetism.
Continue with: Geosphere
References
- “Earth's Core” on Wikipedia.
- “How do we know what is at the center of the Earth?” on BBC News World.
- “The core of the Earth was formed more than 1,000 million years ago” in VERY Interesting.
- “Core” in National Geographic.
- “Earth's core (geology)” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
