The Earth resembles a sphere, though not perfectly round. It bulges at its equator while flattening at the poles, creating variations in gravitational pull that give us the impression it appears round to us.
The Earth’s magnetic field is created by its core, where liquid iron and nickel exist in liquid form that undergo convection motions that create electric currents, producing concentric rings of conduction currents that form electric fields that reach thousands of kilometers from its surface.
1. The Earth is shaped like a sphere
Be mindful of Earth’s round shape when looking at the sky. Doing so helps mapmakers create more accurate maps and architects/engineers create structures which withstand gravitational forces more effectively.
Gravity depends on mass and distance, making a sphere the only shape that perfectly satisfies these conditions. A planet’s orbit causes centrifugal force that causes it to bulge at its equator due to rotation – similar to how spinning pizza dough causes it to flatten out over time.
Scientists use geodesy to measure Earth’s shape, gravity and rotation in order to accurately predict where points on its surface will appear – this enables us to navigate the world safely and precisely.
2. The Earth is made up of three layers
Your knowledge of planet Earth might include some intriguing facts, but there’s so much more out there you probably don’t realize. From volcanic eruptions releasing pressure to maintaining our home planet’s magnetic field – different layers make up Earth. They contribute greatly in making life possible here on our home planet!
The outermost layer of Earth, known as the crust, is made up of rocks that are both rigid and rocky in texture. There are two main kinds: oceanic crust and continental crust. Oceanic crust primarily consists of silica-rich rocks like basalt while continental crust typically comprises granite as its primary constituent material.
Underneath the crust lies the mantle, which is mostly solid but contains malleable areas that contribute to plate tectonics, while beneath this lies the core, comprised largely of iron and nickel atoms that produce heat and density. Earth’s layers are due to its formation; when Earth cooled down, metal settled to its center while rocks rose up through to become its crust.
3. The Earth is made up of water
Scientists have long assumed that Earth formed dry and that its oceans came later thanks to water-rich comets or meteoroids from outer parts of the asteroid belt colliding with our planet, but new research indicates otherwise. Instead, water may have always existed within its core.
The question of where Earth’s water originates lies at the core of planetary science, astronomy and astrobiology. One line of inquiry into this question examines isotopic ratios of hydrogen and nitrogen found in our waters – these act like chemical fingerprints which scientists can compare against water samples from elsewhere in our Solar System for any possible matches; one such study compared Earth-sourced water with samples taken from Vesta (a large asteroid in the Asteroid Belt).
4. The Earth is made up of land
At present, approximately 70% of Earth is covered by oceans – an area that averages 2.5 miles deep and holds over 97% of all of the planet’s volcanoes.
The Earth has four layers, each of which have unique properties. The outermost layer is known as the crust and comprises various types of rocks. Next comes the mantle which consists of hot magma. Finally, we find our inner core made up of solid iron and nickel that rotates within its liquid outer core.
Earth is home to some amazing features – tallest mountain range in the world, largest cave system, and breathtaking sunsets are among them – but perhaps its greatest glory lies in being home to life; according to scientists there may be trillions of bacteria, viruses and microorganisms living within its soil.
5. The Earth is made up of minerals
The Earth is composed of minerals, which are inorganic substances formed naturally and independent of living organisms. Minerals have specific chemical composition, regular crystal structures and ordered arrangements of atoms. At normal temperatures and pressures they must also remain solid – with one exception: native mercury which remains liquid at room temperature.
The outer core of Earth consists of an extremely hot mass of metals composed of mostly iron and nickel. This fiery core generates its magnetic field, which cycles on and off every 200,000 to 300,000 years. Meanwhile, most of the rest of its mass exists as a soft, rocky body called the mantle that’s heated by four isotopes which work like slow cookers to keep temperature at just under 300C – while continental and oceanic crusts ride upon this thick layer of rock.
6. The Earth is made up of air
Air is the source of life on Earth. This mixture includes nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and various trace gases; with nitrogen comprising 78% of its composition.
The mantle is a thin and soft layer of rock that moves slowly with convective movement; warm material rises, while cool material sinks. This movement causes earthquakes as it shifts material along its path.
Our atmosphere plays an integral role in keeping Earth habitable, from warming its surface to providing sustenance for plants and animals, providing shelter against meteorites and protecting us from harmful UV radiation, to producing weather patterns which affect everything from travel patterns to food choices.
7. The Earth is made up of water ice
Earth is commonly known as “Blue Planet” due to the large surface area covered by oceans which average 2.5 miles deep on average. Oceans also host 97% of volcanoes on our planet as well as the longest mountain range on the globe: Mid-ocean Ridge.
Scientists have recently discovered evidence that Earth may possess water ice in its mantle, although they’re uncertain where it originated. One theory suggests it was formed along with other components of our planet in the solar nebula – gas clouds responsible for birthing our sun and its stars.
As the mantle cooled, some water released from minerals was released as outgassing; eventually this water eventually melted, solidifying more of the mantle, while outgassing itself was responsible for adding glaciers and ice caps to Earth’s hydrosphere.
8. The Earth is made up of minerals
Our planet Earth is composed of many different minerals. The outermost rocky layer, called the crust, consists of silicon dioxide (SiO2). In between lies magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and potassium in its mantle layer. Finally, at its heart lies its core consisting of liquid metals including nickel and iron.
Over time, Earth’s liquid outer core has solidified, creating its magnetic field and providing protection from solar winds and cosmic rays.
9. The Earth is made up of land
We live on an extraordinary planet called Earth. It’s filled with mountains, valleys, and flat places, not to mention water and air – its atmosphere contains various gases such as oxygen. Additionally, oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams all provide water resources which plants and animals depend on to survive.
The Earth has an inner core composed of solid rock that is protected by an outer core comprised of liquid iron and nickel metals that radiate magnetic fields out into space, acting to shield us from solar wind damage. This electromagnetic shield helps keep life on Earth safe!
Earth’s continents rest atop massive slabs of rock known as tectonic plates, which move over time and may run past each other or collide to form mountains.
10. The Earth is made up of air
Earth’s atmosphere consists of mostly nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (10%) and trace gases (less than 1%), as well as water vapor and carbon dioxide. Wind is responsible for its constant movement; picking up seeds, dust particles or even our own sneezes!
The earth is covered with immense mountains and volcanoes, while almost 70 percent of its surface area consists of oceans – the majority being 2.5-mile-deep bodies of water which hold most of our planet’s volcanoes.
Humans have only explored a fraction of Earth. To date, humans have dug a hole deep enough to reach 12 kilometers (7.6 miles). Scientists know that Earth consists of four distinct layers – inner core, outer core, mantle and crust – each one moving differently under heavy loads; especially interesting is how hot, dense rock such as mantle moves due to temperature differences that allow it to flow like asphalt when subject to pressure.