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Chapter 2: Problem 19

Popular media sometimes imply that the crust floats on a "sea of magma." Is this a correct image. (D)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The image of the Earth's crust floating on a "sea of magma" is not entirely accurate. While magma does exist beneath the crust, it forms in isolated pockets within the predominantly solid mantle rather than a continuous liquid layer. The crust is supported by the more dense mantle below it, rather than floating on magma.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Earth's Crust

The Earth's crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, and it is composed of solid rock. It varies in thickness, ranging from 5-10 kilometers (3-6 miles) in oceanic areas to 30-50 kilometers (20-30 miles) in the continents. Below the crust lies the mantle, which is a more dense layer composed mostly of solid rock as well.
02

Understanding Magma and its Formation

Magma is a hot, molten or semi-molten substance that forms within the Earth's mantle due to high temperatures and pressures. When mantle rock partially melts, magma is formed. Magma is less dense than the surrounding solid rock, and it can rise through the Earth's crust and eventually erupt onto the surface as lava from a volcano.
03

Evaluating the "Sea of Magma" Claim

Although mantle rock can partially melt to form magma, the bulk of the mantle remains solid. Magma is not uniformly distributed throughout the mantle but forms in isolated pockets and chambers within the solid rock. The Earth's crust does not float on a constantly molten sea of magma as the popular media sometimes suggest, but magma can form and rise through the crust in specific areas.
04

Conclusion

The idea that the Earth's crust floats on a "sea of magma" is not entirely accurate. While of course magma does exist beneath the Earth's crust, it is found in isolated pockets within the predominantly solid mantle instead of being a continuous liquid layer. The crust does not float on magma but is, in fact, supported by the more dense mantle below it.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What are seismic waves? Does their velocity change as they pass through the Earth? (D)

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite? Are all meteorites composed of the same material? (A)

What is the Moho? How was it first recognized? Describe the differences between continental and oceanic crust.(D)

How did researchers first obtain a realistic estimate of the Earth's average density? What observations led to the realization that the Earth must be largely solid and that a particularly dense core lies at its center? (C)

What material makes up the mantle? What are the sublayers of the mantle? Does melt exist within the mantle? (D)
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