Earth's Interior

Front

Geologist Noun

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[jee-ol-uh-jist]

Back

Geologist

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A scientist who studies the solid, liquid, and gaseous matter of Earth and the processes that shape it.

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Example: Geologists study how tectonic plates move and cause volcanic eruptions.

Front

Seismic wave Noun

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[syz-mik weyv]

Back

Seismic wave

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An elastic wave of energy that travels through Earth's layers, which is typically caused by an earthquake or explosion.

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Example: The image shows a seismic wave with labeled 'Compression' and 'Rarefaction' to explain how energy travels through Earth's layers.

Front

Xenolith Noun

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[zen-uh-lith]

Back

Xenolith

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A fragment of rock that is foreign to the igneous rock in which it has become embedded during formation.

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Example: The image shows magma intruding through rock layers, illustrating how xenoliths become embedded in igneous rock.

Front

P-wave Noun

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[pee-weyv]

Back

P-wave

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A type of seismic wave, also known as a primary wave, that can travel through both solid and liquid materials.

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Example: The image shows a P-wave as a compressional wave with labeled areas of compression and rarefaction, demonstrating how it travels through Earth's interior.

Front

S-wave Noun

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[es-weyv]

Back

S-wave

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A type of seismic wave, also known as a secondary wave, that can only travel through solid materials.

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Example: The image shows how S-waves move through solids, with arrows indicating wave direction and particle motion.

Front

Crust Noun

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[kruhst]

Back

Crust

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The thin, solid, and outermost layer of the Earth that lies above the mantle, including land and ocean floors.

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Example: The image shows Earth's layers, highlighting the crust as the thin, outermost layer above the mantle.

Front

Mantle Noun

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[man-tl]

Back

Mantle

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The thick layer of hot, solid rock located between Earth's crust and its core, making up most of Earth's volume.

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Example: The diagram shows Earth's layers, highlighting the mantle between the crust and core.

Front

Core Noun

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[kor]

Back

Core

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The extremely hot, dense central part of the Earth below the mantle, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

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Example: The diagram shows Earth's layers, highlighting the core as the central, dense part below the mantle.

Front

Pressure Noun

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[presh-er]

Back

Pressure

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The continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it, increasing with depth.

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Example: Arrows show how pressure increases with depth, illustrating force exerted by fluid.

Front

Temperature Noun

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[tem-per-uh-cher]

Back

Temperature

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A measure of the average heat or thermal energy of the particles in a substance, increasing with depth inside Earth.

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Example: A thermometer shows temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit, measuring thermal energy.