Exploring the Mantle: Earth's Dynamic Middle Layer

Earth is layered like an onion, with the mantle as a thick, solid middle layer. It's approximately 2,900 kilometers thick, lying between the crust and the core.

The mantle is made primarily of silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron. Unlike the crust, it consists of heavier rocks that haven't floated to the surface.

The mantle isn't static; it circulates slowly by convection. Hotter, less dense material rises, while cooler, denser material sinks, creating a churning motion that drives plate tectonics.

Temperature within the mantle varies greatly, from around 500 to 900 degrees Celsius near the crust, to over 4,000 degrees near the core, influencing its viscosity and movement.

Mantle plumes are upwellings of abnormally hot rock. When they breach the crust, they form volcanic hotspots, such as Hawaii and Yellowstone, far from plate boundaries.

Scientists study the mantle by analyzing how seismic waves from earthquakes travel through it. Variations in wave speed reveal different structures, compositions, and temperatures.

Olivine, a greenish mineral, is predominant in the upper mantle. Under immense pressure, it transforms into other minerals, influencing the mantle's properties and behavior.