Earth’s Energy Sources
Independent Learning
Take Charge of Your Learning
Learning Activities:
By using this sheet every week!
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
4
1. Read the lesson materials before
attending the lessons.
2. Attended the lessons.
3. Reviewed the lesson materials after the
lessons and determined whether the
learning outcomes have been met.
4. Answered the lesson questions.
5. Completed exam questions.
6. Made notes or read additional material to
clarify understanding or extend learning.
Each Week:
1. YES or NO if learning activity completed
or not.
2. 0 – 5 to show how much you feel you have
learnt for that week.
3. Maintain your file as evidence of the
learning activities, including notes,
answers to set questions, independent
learning tasks and any additional reading
Temperature Variation within Earth’s Interior
Depth (km)
Geotherm (°C)
Melting point of Peridotite (°C)
0
50
200
500
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
15
1250
1450
1900
2500
3250
4000
4250
4250
4250
1200
1350
1600
2100
3000
3600
3850
4050
4200
4500
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Plot the data onto
graph paper, with
depth on the vertical
axis.
Describe how the
geotherm varies with
depth.
Define the geotherm.
Locate the Earth’s
internal layers on the
graph.
Describe the physical
state of the Earth’s
interior in relation to
the melting point curve.
Calculate the average
geothermal gradient
for the first 50km into
the Earth.
Temperature Variation within Earth’s Interior
Temperature (°C)
Asthenosphere
(semi-solid)
Depth
(km)
Mesosphere
(solid)
Outer Core
(liquid)
Inner Core
(solid)
Temperature Variation within Earth’s Interior
Temperature (°C)
Lithosphere
(solid)
Asthenosphere
(semi-solid)
Geotherm
Depth
(km)
Melting curve
Mesosphere
(solid)
Outer Core
(liquid)
Where does this heat
come from?
• Radiogenic heat
Inner Core
(solid)
• Primordial heat
• Mid-oceanic ridges
• Partial melting (twice)
• Oceanic trench
• Basaltic magma
• Oceanic lithosphere
• Andesitic magma
• Continental lithosphere
• Gabbro
• Subducting plate
• Dolerite dykes
• Benioff zone
• Basaltic pillow lavas
• Oceanic crust
• Sediment
• Continental crust
• Shield volcano
• Asthenosphere
• Cone-shaped volcano
• Moho
• Slab pull/ridge push
Heat
flow
(mW
/m²)
50
60
70
120
180
70
40
20
40
50
60
75
295
100
70
60
Km
0
10
18
20
23
30
40
45
50
60
70
85
90
93
95
100
Mid-oceanic ridge
Volcanic arc
Ocean trench
Mid-oceanic ridge
Volcanic arc
Ocean trench