One really big crystal

[shadetreecountryboy]

Seismographic waves travel at a higher rate of speed from pole to pole as compared from point to point, even though point to point may be a lesser distance.
An iron crystal, with them ole' atoms beautifully aligned, COULD explain this.
What are anyone's thoughts?
Peace, shadetreecountryboy

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by shadetreecountryboy

Seismographic waves travel at a higher rate of speed from pole to pole as compared from point to point, even though point to point may be a lesser distance.
An iron crystal, with them ole' atoms beautifully aligned, COULD explain this.
What are anyone's thoughts?
Peace, shadetreecountryboy

I've read that the core of the earth has properties that indicate it is crystaline. Is this what you mean?

[shadetreecountryboy]

To, Moontanman;
Tes, this is exactly what I am talking about.
I have this one certain phy/geo instructor that I cannot even approach with this idea, I guss this person knows it all, or maybe this person thinks I am an idiot, who knows.
What do you think? Have there been enough test to call this idea a theory or is it still a hypothesis?
I personally think it is a mad cool idea and I believe in the crystal because there is too much pressure for the core to be liquid, alsoI love controversy and debate in science. Thank God we are not on a flat planet!
Peace,
shadetreecountryboy

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by shadetreecountryboy

To, Moontanman;
Tes, this is exactly what I am talking about.
I have this one certain phy/geo instructor that I cannot even approach with this idea, I guss this person knows it all, or maybe this person thinks I am an idiot, who knows.
What do you think? Have there been enough test to call this idea a theory or is it still a hypothesis?
I personally think it is a mad cool idea and I believe in the crystal because there is too much pressure for the core to be liquid, alsoI love controversy and debate in science. Thank God we are not on a flat planet!
Peace,
shadetreecountryboy

Maybe he a problem with the word crystal, It doesn't mean the core of the earth is a mulitfacted crystal like an iron crystal would be at surface pressure. It is still a sphere, the pressure prevents the typical crystal shape and it is much more dense than iron would be at the suface. Not to mention hotter than the surface of the sun! It's atomic structure would be crystaline but not it's shape. If you really want to blow his mind tell him a new theory says the very center of the earth is a ball of liquid uranium and thorium, making up a natural liquid nuclear reactor. The pressure at the core and the reaction by products prevent it from exploding and keeps it running for billions of years. It is thought to be about five miles in diameter.

[nutronjon]

I am letting everyone know, I am shamefully ignorant of science, so please, be gentle with me.

It is my understanding much of earth is crystal. Granite is full of crystal and the direction of these crystals is changed when the poles shift. Being igorant as I am, I think we could consider the planet as a gaint crytal. This gets into a whole bunch of ideas, that would make scientist run screaming in the opposite direction. But I love the unknown.

[shadetreecountryboy]

moontanman;
First, forgive my typing. I have problems with the letters(G)and(Y),because of fingers being re-attached, a couple of them anyway. The downside of the demolition trade :-0. (I have a license.) All I can say is, When transporting a blasting cap turn off the two way radio and be sure the two wires are tied together!
Anyhoo,, on the subject of mother Earth's core I totally agree. There is an article in the scientific american archives on this subject. I can see these theories explaining how a diamond is formed. It would take these conditions to change black carbon to a beautiful diamond.
By the way, on the subject of diamonds there is an, open to the public, crater in Murpfresboro,AR. that one can go to and the diamonds are in an open field. It is operated by the AR. parks service. I go there after a "gulley washer" and rent a sifting screen and always find some kind of mineral. They let you keep anything you find. There have been some nice diamonds found and one can always find tiny diamonds. The largest diamond I have found was worth about 75 dollars, but the kimberlite and such is abundant and it is cool to find gems that you can keep.
Be careless and thanks for the input, I appreciate it.
Peace.
shadetreecountryboy

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by nutronjon

I am letting everyone know, I am shamefully ignorant of science, so please, be gentle with me.

It is my understanding much of earth is crystal. Granite is full of crystal and the direction of these crystals is changed when the poles shift. Being igorant as I am, I think we could consider the planet as a gaint crytal. This gets into a whole bunch of ideas, that would make scientist run screaming in the opposite direction. But I love the unknown.

Your instincts are good my friend, much of the Earth is crystaline in nature. This doesn't mean one big crystal but that the minerals are made up of lots of tiny crystals put together. I do have to say that there is much more of the Earth that is partially molten or plastic in nature. this doesn't allow for the formation of crystals so From under the crust to the solid innner core crystal formation would not be possible. The inner core of the Earth, a mass of iron and nickle that is about the size of the moon is under so much pressure that is not only solid but a compressed solid that is probably crystaline in nature. Not a single crystal like you would see on the surface since the pressure from above would not allow the regular crystal network of facets we normally expect of crystals. This core is also hotter than the surface of the sun and if not for the pressure of the over burden it would be a gas at the temps it experences. One more possibility that is very interesting to me, this is the possibilty that a ball of uranium and thorium about 5 miles in diameter makes up a natural molten metal nuclear reactor at the very center. This reactor would provide the energy that helps drive the Earth's magnetic feild, plate tectonics, and vulcanism. These things inturn allow the Earth's climate to be self adjusting and this along with biology keeps the Earth within the temperture limits we enjoy today. So next time someone says that nuclear power is unnatural and is a danger to the earth you can smile and know better. (Arguing the point is probably as difficult as arguing religion so no point in trying to tell them they are wrong.)

[nutronjon]

Originally Posted by shadetreecountryboy

Seismographic waves travel at a higher rate of speed from pole to pole as compared from point to point, even though point to point may be a lesser distance.
An iron crystal, with them ole' atoms beautifully aligned, COULD explain this.
What are anyone's thoughts?
Peace, shadetreecountryboy

Moontanman, I am tempted to question you about polar shifts, but that would derail this thread, so back to the original statement....

Could the difference in the speed of seismorgraphic waves, be the result of spin? Like the resistance to the waves would be less in the opposing directions of the spin, and have more resistence when crossing the force of the spin? Wow, talk about having trouble trying to find the words to express a thought I wish I could draw a picture, because I can't figure out what words to use. Sort of like if the motion is from right to left, it is easier to move right or left, than up and down. Twilight zone. It is harder to swim up stream than down stream, but I am saying, it is easier for seismorgraphic waves to move up and down stream, than across the stream.

[freeztar]

The catch phrase here is seismic anisotropy.

Some scientists have suggested that the Earth's core is an anisotropic iron crystal. That is, that it is made of tiny crystals that align along the poles, all facing in the same direction. These theories help explain the discrepancy in rates of P and S wave propagations.

Here's an abstract to a recent paper on the subject.
Elastic Anisotropy of Earth's Inner Core -- Belonoshko et al. 319 (5864): 797 -- Science

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by nutronjon

Moontanman, I am tempted to question you about polar shifts, but that would derail this thread, so back to the original statement....

Could the difference in the speed of seismorgraphic waves, be the result of spin? Like the resistance to the waves would be less in the opposing directions of the spin, and have more resistence when crossing the force of the spin? Wow, talk about having trouble trying to find the words to express a thought I wish I could draw a picture, because I can't figure out what words to use. Sort of like if the motion is from right to left, it is easier to move right or left, than up and down. Twilight zone. It is harder to swim up stream than down stream, but I am saying, it is easier for seismorgraphic waves to move up and down stream, than across the stream.

Yes your point is very much possible but I am sure it has already been taken into account. Scientists a very annoying way of taking care of such details but not telling us about them