If we look at a chart of different metal densities, iron best fits the density at the core, and olivine (a magnesium-iron silicate mineral) best fits the mantle. This corresponds to the core-mantle boundary. At a depth of about 1,796 miles (2,890 km), an abrupt change indicates a sudden increase in density. By analyzing how these waves change behavior when they reach different regions, we can learn where the density changes significantly. that travel through the earth’s interior. Scientists can collect data from the way that seismic waves behave when passing through the earth, and theorize at what is inside of it.Įarthquakes generate various seismic waves. Seismic waves are generated during earthquakes and move at varying speeds when passing through different types of solids and liquids. Have you thrown a stone into a pond and watched as waves moved through the water? There are waves that can pass through the earth too, called seismic waves. The drilling had to stop because internal temperatures of 356☏ (180☌) at that depth became too hot to continue! 1Įven without drilling, scientists have devised interesting methods to study what lies inside the earth. It is only approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) deep and 9 inches (23 cm) in diameter. The deepest hole that has been drilled into the earth is the Kola Superdeep Borehole, which is located on the Kola Peninsula in Russia. ![]() One way to study the inside of the earth is to drill holes and examine what is found. ![]() We were surprised how much more clay was required to make each successive layer.Have you ever wondered what the earth looks like on the inside? What is it made of? How can we find out? These are great questions, considering that the center of the earth is nearly 4,000 miles (6,437 km) below its surface, making it difficult to explore! On the plus side, our clay Earths will last as long as the real one! If you do use plasticine (we did), warm it up in the microwave – this makes it much easier to work with.Cold plasticine takes a long time for little hands to mould. Use play dough rather than plasticine, especially in winter.Top Tips For Making A Clay Model Earth (What We Might Do Differently…) When you’re done, use a sharp knife to cut your Earth in half to reveal it in cross-section.Ĭ(9) used a toothpick to label the layers. ![]() We looked at these when we simulated the rock cycle with crayons. We used an atlas to calculate that this is equivalent to the distance from London to Madrid (or San Diego to Memphis).įollowed by the Earth’s crust (one layer in our models, but in reality, layers of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rock). The inner core is about 1,500 miles in diameter. (I was going to make one too, until I realised how much plasticine we were going to get through!)įirst roll a small ball of clay for the solid metal inner core. Then we grabbed some clay and the children used the pictures from the book to make their own models. ![]() We read about the Earth’s layers, to begin with, in The Magic Schoolbus – Inside the Earth. Making a 3D model is an easy hands-on way for kids to learn what the Earth is made of.
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