Part 2: Earth's Interior & Rheology
Probing the Deep Earth
Seismic waves act as X-rays of the planet, revealing a layered interior with distinct mechanical and chemical boundaries. Understanding Earth's rheology -- how rocks deform over geological timescales -- is essential for explaining mantle convection and plate motion.
6371 km
Earth Radius
10ยฒยน Paยทs
Mantle Viscosity
5150 km
ICB Depth
Topics in This Part
2.1 Seismic Wave Propagation
P and S waves, the wave equation, and seismic travel times
2.2 Earth's Layered Structure
Crust, mantle, core; the PREM model; major discontinuities
2.3 Rheology & Viscous Flow
Elastic, viscous, and viscoelastic behavior; Maxwell time; creep laws
2.4 Lithosphere vs Asthenosphere
Thermal vs mechanical boundary; LAB definition; postglacial rebound