EESA06H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Seismic Refraction, Continental Crust, Seismic Wave
24 Apr 2012
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
The only rocks that can be studied are those of the earth"s crust. Mantle rocks brought to the earth"s surface in basalt flow, in diamond bearing kimberlite pipes, and also by the tectonic attachment of lower parts of the oceanic lithosphere to the continental crust. Meteorites give clues about the possible composition of the core of the earth. Geophysics evidence suggest that the earth is divided into 3 major layers: crust on the surface, rocky mantle beneath the crust, and the metallic core at the centre. The crust and uppermost mantle can be divided into the brittle lithosphere and the plastic asthenosphere. Kola peninsula - the deepest scientific well has reached 12km beneath the surface (sedimentary basins) in russia. Deep parts of the earth are studied indirectly through geophysics the application of physical laws and principles to a study of the earth; includes the study of seismic waevs and the earth"s magnetic field, gravity and heat.
