2.  In the 1800’s there was considerable scientific and popular interest in what was in the interior of the Earth. The details of the internal structure (crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core; and their composition and thicknesses; Figure 1) had not yet been discovered. And, although volcanic eruptions demonstrated that at least part of the interior of the Earth was hot enough to melt rocks, temperatures within the Earth and the existence of radioactivity were unknown. Jules Verne’s book, A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864, 272 pages; originally published in France as Voyage au Centre de la Terre), capitalized on this interest in the Earth and in adventure with an exciting science fiction story that is still popular today. Verne introduces us to a dedicated, and somewhat eccentric professor, and his nephew through whom the story is told (see selected quotations below), who eventually travel into the Earth’s deep interior by entering into an opening in the crater of a volcano in Iceland.

3.  Verne’s novel is science fiction. We know today that such a journey would be impossible. The temperature and pressure conditions within the Earth are so extreme that humans could not survive below a few kilometers depth within the 6371 km radius Earth. Furthermore, we know of no significant openings that would provide access to the deep interior of the planet, and caves or cavities at great depth are nearly impossible based on our knowledge of temperature and pressure within the Earth and the properties of Earth materials. However, Verne’s story is an interesting one and it is the inspiration (along with the desire to provide materials for learning about the Earth’s interior) for this Earth science educational activity.

6. Sandstone Volcanic Rock Glacier Sediments Limestone Ocean Surface

8. Igneous Rock Metamorphic Rock

10. MICROBES AFRICA GOLD

12. Oil Gas

16. GRANITIC ROCK IRON MAGNESIUM

22. OLIVINE RICH ROCK CRYSTAL

24. SILICATE ROCK IRON AND NICKEL