Fascinating Facts About the Earth
The third planet from the Sun, the Earth is one of the most famous places in the universe. It is the only object in the universe that is capable of harboring life. Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, and the ocean is so vast that it dwarfs any other saltwater or freshwater body. There are about seven billion people living on Earth. Fortunately, this abundance of water makes life on Earth possible. Here are some of the most fascinating facts about the planet.
The Earth’s crust is 3,000 kilometers thick, beginning about 30 kilometers below the surface. This layer of the Earth is composed of silica, aluminum, and silicon. It is extremely dense and semi-solid, and it circulates much more slowly than the layer above it. Temperatures in the mantle reach the melting point of rock, forming partially melted rock. Although the mantle is extremely thin, it is a vital part of the Earth, and it’s what makes the tectonic plates slide across it.
The Earth’s internal structure developed over time as gases from its interior mixed. The resulting atmosphere was thick and steamy, and water from comets crashed to the planet, forming a primitive ocean. Today, water covers almost three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, and the ocean is one of the most important parts of the Earth’s ecosystem. Its complex internal structures and processes are a constant reminder of the complexity of the Earth.
The Earth’s mantle is about 3,000 kilometers thick and starts about 30 kilometers below the surface. It is composed of magnesium, iron, and silicon, and is extremely dense. It is much cooler than the layer below, and the temperature is high enough for rock to melt partially. The mantle is the weakest part of the Earth’s structure, and it is the part of the mantle that is most likely to break apart, giving life to life on the surface.
The Earth is made up of three layers. The inner layer is the core and is about 1.1 billion miles thick. The outer layer is the crust, and it is 19 miles or 31 kilometers thick. The Earth is 30 percent land, and it is divided into seven continents. The air on the surface is composed of oxygen and nitrogen. These are the two essential ingredients for life on Earth. The atmosphere contains all of the elements that make it possible for plants to exist and thrive on Earth.
The mantle is 3,000 kilometers thick and is the second most dense layer in the Earth. It starts about 30 kilometers below the surface, and is made of iron, silicon, and magnesium. It is semi-solid, and is hotter than the layer below it. This layer of the Earth is a great source of heat for life. It has the ability to warm the air in many ways, and is the key to life on Earth. In fact, it also serves as a greenhouse, so it is no surprise that the atmosphere is a very warm place.