Evolution of Earth Systems

Journey to the Center of the Earth

For the following, reference pp 67-68 Lithosphere and Asthenosphere, p. 71 Mantle, and p72, Core. Also reference figures 3.1, 3.17, 3.25, and 1.11.

Your assignment is to write a short (very short) story about a trip to the center of the Earth. This is designed to have you familiarize yourself with the internal characteristics of the Earth, while participating in something creative. Your foremost objective is to get the science right; include all the important zones and transitions, as well as the physical characteristics of those zones (i.e., liquid or solid, temperature, movements). However, as long as the known science is technically correct, you are welcome to indulge in whatever “story” surrounds the journey. You are invited to use humor, tragedy, satire, romance, action, etc. The point is to build a memorable self-created structure around the known nature of the Earth’s interior.

You may be asked to share your story with another student or with the class as a whole.