How do scientists get information about the interior of the earth?

Answer 1

Knowledge of the Earth's interior is based on the reactions of seismic waves from earthquakes to the density and state of materials that they encounter. Seismic waves travel at differing speeds through different materials (and also, at different speeds through material of different states, i.e., liquid or solid). Because we know the size of the Earth, by measuring how long it takes to pick up on seismic activity on opposite sides of the Earth, we can gauge about how much of the Earth is solid, liquid, made of a certain material, etc.

Some of it, also, is based on our current understanding of how the Earth formed - mainly, that as our planet formed and cooled, the heavier materials such as metal sunk to the center.

Rock that is torn off and expelled by volcanism is studied as another indicator of what lies below the surface. Another clue lies in meteorites that have landed on Earth known as Chondrites. These can indicate the material from which planets are formed. The study of Earth's magnetic field and gravitational properties also indicate or strongly infer what lies deep in Earth's interior.

Knowledge of the shallower (but otherwise difficult to access) oceanic crust and mantle has been gained due to a process known as obduction where oceanic crust is forced over continental crust. These rocks are known as Ophiolites and give Geologists direct access to the rocks in question.

Answer 2

Scientists use microscopes to examine unseen worlds of life on Earth. They use computers and other instruments to gather information about atoms, the building blocks of all matter. Most of the info scientists have gathered about the Earth's interior has only come from complex instruments, but also from earthquakes.

Answer 3

Information about the interior of the Earth is derived from the reaction of seismic waves to layer density, examination of certain volcanic rocks, from the laws of physics and gravity, and from the study of meteorites and the moon.

Answer 4

Information on the interior of the Earth can be obtained from seismic measurements. By studying natural earthquakes, we may infer that since certain wave transmission path appear forbidden, (e.g. to shear waves) then that region must be liquid.

Similarly deeper layers transmit pressure waves with a velocity that indicates the density, and hence composition, of the material.

Answer 5

By working out the density of the planet and the accessible parts of it. By analyzing Earth process now and in the geological record and by analyzing what earthquake sound waves do as they travel through the planet.

Answer 6

Scientists can learn about the structure of Earth's interior by studying body waves. Waves can provide information such as whether a region is solid or liquid.

Answer 7

They study over time