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Name: Barb Detwiler's 8th. grade earth science class
Status: N/A
Age: 8th Grade
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999
Question:
How do scientists measure the size of the Earth's core and mantle? What scientific tools are used for the measurements? Is the core really a sphere?

Replies:
We get our information by studying sound waves after they pass through the core. The sound waves can be generated by earthquakes or underground nuclear explosions. It used to be thought that the core was liquid (molten iron and nickel), but now some scientists think there might be a solid "subcore" inside the liquid core.

--- Jade


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