Figure 11.9

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY: How do scientists study Earth’s hidden interior? An understanding of Earth’s internal composition and structure is essential to understanding geologic phenomena. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, for example, are directly related to the composition and movement of Earth’s interior.

(Top right, Sarah Robinson/EarthScope National Office. EarthScope is supported by the US National Science Foundation; bottom left, U.S. Dept. of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey; bottom right, G. Glatzmaier, LANL/P. Roberts, UCLA/Science Source)