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Interior of Earth

Chapter 3 of the NCERT Class 11 Geography textbook discusses the Earth's interior, which consists of three main layers: the crust, mantle, and core. The crust is thin and solid, the mantle is a thick layer of rocky material with a flowing asthenosphere, and the core is the hottest region made of iron and nickel. Scientists study the Earth's interior using seismic waves and volcanic eruptions, providing insights into its structure and composition.

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40 views2 pages

Interior of Earth

Chapter 3 of the NCERT Class 11 Geography textbook discusses the Earth's interior, which consists of three main layers: the crust, mantle, and core. The crust is thin and solid, the mantle is a thick layer of rocky material with a flowing asthenosphere, and the core is the hottest region made of iron and nickel. Scientists study the Earth's interior using seismic waves and volcanic eruptions, providing insights into its structure and composition.

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ujwalkhode123
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Chapter 3 of your NCERT Class 11 Geography textbook delves into the intricate structure and

composition of the Earth's interior.


Key points to remember:
1. The Earth's layered structure:
 The Earth comprises three primary layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core.
 The crust, the outermost layer, is composed of solid rock. It is relatively thin,
constituting only about 1% of the Earth's total volume.
 The mantle, the middle layer, is predominantly made up of solid rock and a
hot, flowing layer known as the asthenosphere. It accounts for approximately
84% of the Earth's volume.
 The core, the innermost layer, consists of a solid inner core and a liquid outer
core. It comprises about 16% of the Earth's volume.
2. The Earth's core: A fiery heart of molten metal
 The core, the Earth's hottest region, reaches temperatures up to an
astonishing 5,500 degrees Celsius.
 It is primarily composed of iron and nickel, with trace amounts of other
elements like oxygen, sulfur, and silicon.
 The inner core is solid, while the outer core is liquid.
 The movement of the liquid outer core generates the Earth's magnetic field,
which shields us from harmful solar radiation.
3. The Earth's mantle: A vast, rocky layer with a flowing heart
 The mantle is a thick layer of solid rock that lies beneath the crust.
 It is composed of a diverse array of minerals, including olivine, pyroxene, and
garnet.
 The asthenosphere, a layer of hot, flowing rock in the upper mantle, is
responsible for the movement of tectonic plates.
 The lower mantle, a solid layer of rock, lies below the asthenosphere.
4. The Earth's crust: A thin and diverse outer layer
 The crust, the outermost layer of the Earth, is composed of solid rock.
 It is the thinnest layer of the Earth, making up only about 1% of its total
volume.
 The crust is divided into two main types: continental crust and oceanic crust.
 Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.
 Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt, while continental crust is
mainly composed of granite.
5. Unveiling the Earth's secrets: How do we know about its interior?
 We cannot directly observe the Earth's interior due to its extreme heat and
depth.
 However, scientists have devised ingenious methods to study the Earth's
interior by analyzing seismic waves, which are vibrations that travel through
the Earth.
 Seismic waves, generated by earthquakes and other events, provide valuable
insights into the structure and composition of the Earth's interior.
 By studying the patterns of seismic waves as they travel through the Earth,
scientists can determine the depths and properties of different layers.
 Volcanic eruptions also offer glimpses into the Earth's interior, as they bring
up samples of material from the mantle. Analyzing these samples provides
valuable information about the composition and temperature of the mantle.
In summary, the Earth's interior is a dynamic and complex world, composed of
distinct layers with unique properties. The core, mantle, and crust each play a crucial
role in shaping our planet's environment and processes. While we cannot directly
access the Earth's interior, advanced scientific techniques like seismology and
volcanology allow us to peer into this hidden realm and unravel its secrets.

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