Question
Which event would most likely occur if Earth did not retain the heat from its formation?
The inner core would liquefy.
Seismic waves would move the crust.
The Earth’s magnetic field would disappear.
The asthenosphere and outer core would solidify.
The inner core would liquefy.
Seismic waves would move the crust.
The Earth’s magnetic field would disappear.
The asthenosphere and outer core would solidify.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
If Earth did not retain the heat from its formation, the most likely event that would occur is that **the asthenosphere and outer core would solidify**.
The retention of heat from the planet's formation, along with radioactive decay, contributes to keeping the outer core liquid and the asthenosphere (a semi-fluid layer of the upper mantle) partially molten. If Earth lost this heat, these layers would cool down and solidify, which would significantly impact geological activity and the dynamics of plate tectonics.
The retention of heat from the planet's formation, along with radioactive decay, contributes to keeping the outer core liquid and the asthenosphere (a semi-fluid layer of the upper mantle) partially molten. If Earth lost this heat, these layers would cool down and solidify, which would significantly impact geological activity and the dynamics of plate tectonics.