5 Questions
What are the sources of heat that contributed to Earth's hot interior?
Accretion energy, adiabatic compression, core formation energy, and decay of short-lived radioisotopes
What is the role of radioactive decay in Earth's heat production?
Radioactive decay from isotopes like K40, Th232, U235, and U238 continuously produces heat over geologic time
How does pressure influence the melting temperatures of rocks?
Pressure, in addition to temperature, influences the melting temperatures of rocks. Melting occurs at higher temperatures with increased depth due to the increase in confining pressure exerted by the weight of overlying rocks
What is the geothermal gradient and how does it vary in different parts of the Earth?
The geothermal gradient refers to the increase in temperature with depth into the Earth. The temperature gradient in the Earth's crust is approximately 25°C per kilometer, while in the mantle, it ranges from 0
What triggers decompression melting in rocks?
Reducing confining pressure lowers a rock's melting temperature, and decompression melting is triggered
Test your knowledge of Earth processes and magma formation with this quiz. Explore the factors contributing to Earth's interior heat and the formation of magma, including accretion energy, adiabatic compression, and radioisotope decay.
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