A SHORT NOTE ON THE MANTLE

Introduction

Catering to the structure of earth, it is known to everyone that the interior of the earth consists of, namely there successive layers, the core, the mantle and lastly the crust. The crust refers to the outermost layers of the earth, whereas, the mantle lies in between the core and that of the crust. Lastly in the interior lies the core and successively it is divided into outer as well as inner core. The outer core, is mainly liquid, is 2200 km thick in nature, whereas, the inner core is solid, and is 1270 km thick and that constitutes 3470 km thick as a whole. As one gradually moves upwards, one releases that the mantle and the core are divided by the line which is referred to as “Gutenberg discontinuity”. The mantle has a thickness of about 2850 km and is mostly solid in nature. 

Main body

Understanding the structure of the earth

In order to understand the structure of earth, it is quite well adapted in our knowledge that earth consists of three consecutive layers. This study will help in providing a vivid picture cape by effectively determining the necessary characteristics of the three layers. However, the main focus still remains on the mantle, which seems to lie between the crust and the core. To our knowledge, it is to be noted that together the upper mantle and that of earth’s crust constitute the tectonic plates. Seven major tectonic plates are noticed all over the earth. Furthermore, it is also noticed that the mantle is divided into upper and lower mantle respectively. All these discoveries are made by the renowned scientist “Inge Lehmann”, who mentioned that the centre of the earth is a majorly a solid core and is effectively surrounded by the molten layer of rock.

Definition of earth mantle

The earth mantle is defined as the solid bulk layer that is found in the interior of the earth. The earth mantle is located between the dense as well as superheated core with that of the outer crust. In addition to these, it is also noted that the mantle makes up around 84 per cent of the total volume of the earth. Moreover, it needs also to be noted that within the region of the mantle several significant phenomena occur and most times refers to the most crucial part of the earth’s structure. Such phenomena are forces associated with the spreading of ocean floors, major earthquakes, orogeny, convection currents and continental drift. The mantle is the prime source of the internal energy of the earth. The layer basically lies between “Gutenberg discontinuity” that separates the layer from the core and as well “Mohrovicic discontinuity” that effectively separates the mantle of the crust of the earth. 

Role of mantle and its importance

There lie several pieces of evidence that cater to signify the importance of the mantle to the sustenance of life on the earth.  The major reason is that the mantle is the reason for the gradual evolution of the crust of the earth. This is because it provides driving forces that are associated with the tectonic plates. This driving focus caters to both thermal and mechanical. It is well acknowledged that the earth mantle plays an important role as it promotes a phenomenon of mantle convection, which is transferred from the superheated up core. The mechanism of “mantle convection” is quite crucial as this convection is responsible for formation of mountain ranges, earthquakes and as well as volcanoes of the earth. Moreover, it is an ultimate source of magma formation.

Characteristics of earth mantle

Several characteristics are noted for the layer of the mantle of the earth which is as follows.

• Earth mantle covers up almost 84 per cent of the total volume constituted by the earth.
• The Mantle layer of the earth extended from around, 35 to 2980 km beneath the earth’s surface.
• The layer of mantle mostly rocks solid in nature.
• The temperature within the earth’s mantle ranges from about 200 to 4000 degrees Celsius.

Reason behind mantle being hot

Various reasons justify the notion of mantle being hot in nature which is discussed further in the study. The very first reason is that the heat that has accreted and as well as formed is not lost yet. The second reason for heating the mantle is because of frictional heating, which is generally caused by core material, dancers in nature drowning at the centre of the earth. Lastly, heating is generated from the decaying of the elements that are radioactive in nature. 

Difference between mantle and core

There are several differences that striking bifurcates the mantle from the core which are as follows. One of the differences is the presence of different ranges of temperature as well as the components of the mantle and the core. 

Conclusion

An extensive study has been conducted that has successively explored the concepts associated with the consecutively three layers of the earth. Focus has been given to the middle layers namely the mantle and thereby, a vivid description has been made. This further leads to the gathering of the vast knowledge that is associated with the earth mantle and catered to the most important phenomenon that occurs in this region.