Deep in the earth, solid rocks can flow, but the surface layers are cold rigid plates that move across the surface. This means that continents are constantly drifting across the earth and oceanic crust is being created and destroyed. Plate tectonics is one of the most successful scientific theories of the Twentieth Century. It explains… Continue reading Plate tectonics
Earth’s layered structure
Six thousand kilometres isn’t a long way. Along the surface of the earth it’s the distance from Beijing to the Middle East. That distance above your head is still well within earth’s orbit and many satellites are much further out. The Middle East and the earth’s orbit are places we understand reasonably well and that… Continue reading Earth’s layered structure
Earth as a planet
Formation of the solar system The earth, our home, is the third of 8 planets orbiting a star, our Sun. Together they make up the solar system. To understand how our planet formed, we need to know how solar systems are created and how they develop. Around 4.5 billion years ago there was a cloud… Continue reading Earth as a planet
How oil is formed
Oil, natural gas and coal are known as fossil fuels. They are extremely useful substances and humans spend lots of time and energy to extract them from the earth. But why are they called fossil fuels, when and how did they form? In an town or village in Ireland on a cool evening there is… Continue reading How oil is formed