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Earths Internal Heat Source

Earth Science Module Quarter 1, Earth Internal Heat Source for STEM 11 students

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jl4906975
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44 views9 pages

Earths Internal Heat Source

Earth Science Module Quarter 1, Earth Internal Heat Source for STEM 11 students

Uploaded by

jl4906975
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EARTH'S

INTERNAL HEAT
SOURCE
The Earth is a dynamic, living planet, fueled by a
powerful internal heat engine that drives a vast array
of geological processes, from plate tectonics to
volcanic eruptions. This internal heat is the foundation
for Earth's remarkable geologic and environmental
diversity.
oo
by olive grace otic
Geothermal energy: The
engine of our planet
1 Radioactive Decay
The primary driver of Earth's internal heat is the
radioactive decay of elements like uranium, thorium, and
potassium within the planet's core and mantle.

2 Pressure and Compression


Gravitational forces compress the Earth's interior,
generating additional heat through the immense pressures
within the planet.

3 Plate Tectonics
The constant movement and interaction of Earth's
tectonic plates is fueled by the transfer of heat from
the planet's interior to the surface.
Radioactive decay: The primary heat
source
Primordial Radioisotopes Continuous Heat Uneven Distribution
Generation
Elements like uranium, The concentration of
thorium, and potassium, which The ongoing radioactive decay radioactive elements varies
were present during the within the Earth's interior throughout the Earth's
formation of the Earth, is a persistent and reliable layers, leading to uneven
continue to undergo source of heat, powering the heat generation and
radioactive decay, generating planet's dynamic geologic contributing to the planet's
vast amounts of heat. processes. complex internal structure.
Pressure and gravitational compression
1 Immense Pressures 2 Gravitational 3 Heat Retention
Compression
The immense weight of the The high-pressure
overlying layers of the The pull of gravity on the conditions within the
Earth's crust and mantle Earth's mass causes the Earth's core and mantle
exerts tremendous pressure planet's interior to act as an insulating
on the planet's interior, compress, further layer, trapping the heat
generating significant increasing the temperature generated by radioactive
amounts of heat. and pressure within. decay and compression.
Plate tectonics and the
role of heat
Convection Currents
The heat generated within the Earth's interior
drives convection currents in the mantle, which in
turn power the movement of tectonic plates.

Plate Interactions
The collision, subduction, and divergence of
tectonic plates are all fueled by the transfer of
heat from the planet's interior to the surface.

Volcanic Activity
Volcanic eruptions and geothermal hotspots are
direct manifestations of the Earth's internal heat,
as magma rises to the surface.
Volcanic activity and
geothermal hotspots

Volcanic Activity
Volcanoes are the surface expression of the Earth's internal heat, as
molten rock and gases escape through the planet's crust.

Geothermal Hotspots
Areas with high concentrations of geothermal activity, such as hot
springs and geysers, indicate the presence of significant internal heat
sources.

Plate Boundaries
The boundaries between tectonic plates are often sites of intense
volcanic and geothermal activity, driven by the transfer of heat from the
Earth's interior.
Harnessing Earth's internal heat:
Geothermal power
Renewable Energy Baseload Capacity Environmental Benefits
Geothermal power taps into the Unlike intermittent renewable Geothermal power generation
Earth's internal heat to sources like solar and wind, produces minimal greenhouse gas
generate electricity, providing geothermal power plants can emissions and has a small
a reliable and sustainable operate continuously, providing environmental footprint
source of renewable energy. a consistent and predictable compared to fossil fuel-based
supply of electricity. power plants.
Environmental benefits of
geothermal energy
Emissions Geothermal power plants
produce negligible amounts
of greenhouse gases and
other air pollutants, making
them a clean energy
solution.
Land Use Geothermal facilities have a
small physical footprint,
requiring less land compared
to other renewable energy
sources like solar or wind.

Water Consumption Geothermal power generation


uses significantly less
water than traditional
fossil fuel or nuclear power
plants.
The future of Earth's internal heat
utilization
Technological Diversifying Applications Global Expansion
Advancements
Beyond electricity As more countries explore
Innovations in drilling, heat generation, geothermal energy their geothermal resources,
extraction, and power can be used for direct the global utilization of
generation are expanding the heating, cooling, and a Earth's internal heat is
potential for harnessing the variety of industrial poised to grow, contributing
Earth's internal heat on a processes, increasing its to a more sustainable energy
larger scale. versatility. future.

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