ASTR 103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Solar Wind, Volcanism, Basalt
15 Nov 2018
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Document Summary
Terrestrial worlds: there are clear differences in the appearance of the terrestrial bodies in our. Solar system: why have the terrestrial planets turned out differently if they formed at the same time from the same materials, differences in appearance must be the result of changes that have occurred through time. Geological activity: all terrestrial planets have changed since birth, earth is geologically active its surface is constantly being reshaped by the following processes . Earth"s interior: core, highest density, made of nickel and iron, mantle, moderate density, made of minerals with silicon, oxygen, etc, crust, lowest density, granite, basalt, etc, lithosphere below. Internal heat: terrestrial interiors retain some heat today, but the amount varies with size. Interior heat is the driver of geological activity: smaller worlds cool off faster and harden earlier, the moon and mercury are now geologically dead .
