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Radioactive decay of natural elements (Uranium is a big one) releases a large amount of energy, this energy heats up the earth. These elements are in the crust (underground) the mantly and the core. So the warmth they produce keeps the earth warm. Without this, the core would have cooled down and solidified by now.

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Why is the inside of the Earth hot?

The inside of the Earth is hot due to the heat generated from the decay of radioactive elements and the residual heat from the planet's formation billions of years ago.


What is the source of heat in the Earth's interior?

The main sources of heat in the Earth's interior are residual heat from the planet's formation, radioactive decay of elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium, and heat generated by ongoing processes like mantle convection and core formation. This heat leads to processes like plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and the Earth's magnetic field.


What is the lithosphere warmed by?

The lithosphere is primarily warmed by the heat emanating from Earth's interior through processes like radioactive decay and residual heat from the planet's formation. This internal heat flux drives processes like plate tectonics and volcanic activity that shape the Earth's surface.


What decay causes geothermal energy?

The decay of radioactive elements in the Earth's crust, particularly uranium, thorium, and potassium, generates geothermal energy. This decay produces heat that warms the surrounding rock and water, leading to the formation of geothermal reservoirs that can be harnessed for energy production.


How come geothermal is found in the Earth?

Geothermal energy is found in the Earth because of the heat trapped beneath the Earth's surface, generated from radioactive decay of minerals and from the Earth's formation process. This heat is harnessed to produce electricity through geothermal power plants.

Related Questions

Water from a natural hot spring is warmed by what inside the earth?

It is warmed by geothermal energy which is created by RADIOACTIVE DECAY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_(geology)


How is it that radioactive decay has always warmed the earth from the inside and nuclear fusion has always warmed the earth from the outside?

That's because of where each of these processes occur. There is no nuclear fusion inside of Earth. There is probably a small amount of radioactive decay in the Sun, but the power produced by it is insignificant, compared to the huge amount of power produced by nuclear fusion.


Explain how radioactive decay has always warmed the earth from the inside and how nulear fusion has always warmed the earth from the outside?

The Earth's core contains many radioactive elements within its core that emit warmth as they decay, keeping the core of the Earth hot and heating it from within. Meanwhile, the sun is a product of the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium and its rays warm the Earth's crust from outside.


What is the source of heating in the mantle?

Source of heat in mantle come from radioactive decay of the radioactive elements inside the earth..


What is the source of heat in the Earth interior?

The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.


Where does volcanoes and geysers get their heat energy from?

From the inside of the Earth, which is fairly hot. The Earth gets its heat from radioactive decay.


What is the heat energy from inside of the earth?

"geothermal" (the source is a combination of original impact energy and radioactive decay.)


Why is the inside of the Earth hot?

The inside of the Earth is hot due to the heat generated from the decay of radioactive elements and the residual heat from the planet's formation billions of years ago.


What is gothermal?

gEothermal is any phenomena related to the heat produced inside the earth due to radioactive decay. The earth's magnetic field is a result of geothermal forces deep inside the earth itself.


What is the process that creates motion inside the earth?

The motion inside the Earth is primarily driven by the heat released from the decay of radioactive elements and leftover heat from its formation. This heat creates convection currents in the molten outer core, which generates a magnetic field and drives the movement of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface.


What is the source of heat in the Earth's interior?

The main sources of heat in the Earth's interior are residual heat from the planet's formation, radioactive decay of elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium, and heat generated by ongoing processes like mantle convection and core formation. This heat leads to processes like plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and the Earth's magnetic field.


What is the lithosphere warmed by?

The lithosphere is primarily warmed by the heat emanating from Earth's interior through processes like radioactive decay and residual heat from the planet's formation. This internal heat flux drives processes like plate tectonics and volcanic activity that shape the Earth's surface.