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 Tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes. They can be disastrous for people. But on a planet fueled by heat, these events are simply signs that the engine is running.
Let’s examine how heat within the earth and from the sun drives the forces that cause storms and other natural phenomenon that can wreak havoc on human life…
Heat within the Earth
Earth’s inner core is a solid ball of iron and nickel, tremendously hot. Earth’s outer core is sphere of hot liquid iron. Within Earth’s mantle—a layer of semi-hard rock—slow currents move heat upwards towards the surface. Rock plates at the mantle’s surface move with the heat currents, causing earthquakes. The rising heat melts rock that can escape through openings in Earth’s crust, creating volcanoes.
 Heat within the Atmosphere
Heat from the sun warms Earth’s surface, causing warm air in the atmosphere to rise and cooler air to descend. As Earth turns, the air moves in organized patterns called air currents. As these currents move around the planet, changes in air pressure, humidity, and temperature give Earth its weather…including hurricanes and tornadoes.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, and powerful storms. Life on this dynamic Earth won’t always be easy. Our challenge? To live here as safely as possible.
Continue to the Earthquakes. >>
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