Earth Interior

Describe the processes of heat transfer that operate within Earth's interior and where each of these processes dominates.

Conduction and Convection- Occur within Earth's interior Radiation- Transports heat away from Earth's surface to space

List and describe each of the layers of Earth's interior.

Crust- strong, rocky layer; 5km-70km Mantle- 82% of earth's volume, rocky, strong due to high pressures; strength increases with depth due to pressure. Core- divided into the inner and outer (liquid) core -outer core-density of 9.9g/cm^3 -inner core-density of 13g/cm^3 --side note: Moho is the boundary between crust and mantle -- D'' layer between lower mantle and outer core

Discuss what geophysical studies, such as seismic tomography, reveal about our planet.

Studies such as these allow us to "see" earth's interiorr by imaging subducting plates and mantle plumes

Describe how seismic waves are used to probe Earth's interior.

The travel times of P and S waves vary depending on the properties of the materials, which gives us more information about earth's interior. -The waves also can either refract or reflects, providing us with more information on earth's interior.