Temperature and pressure below the earth

Below the Earth's crust, as you delve deeper into the planet, both temperature and pressure increase significantly. This region is known as the Earth's mantle, and it extends to a depth of approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) below the crust. Temperature: The temperature in the Earth's mantle gradually increases with depth. At the boundary between the crust and mantle, temperatures range from approximately 200 to 400 degrees Celsius (392 to 752 degrees Fahrenheit). As you descend further into the mantle, the temperature rises due to the heat generated by radioactive decay of elements and residual heat from the Earth's formation. In the lowermost part of the mantle, temperatures can reach up to 3,700 degrees Celsius (6,700 degrees Fahrenheit).


Pressure: Pressure also increases as you move deeper into the Earth's mantle. At the crust-mantle boundary, pressures range from about 0.3 to 1.5 gigapascals (GPa), which is roughly 3,000 to 15,000 times atmospheric pressure. As you descend deeper, the pressure steadily increases due to the weight of the overlying rocks. In the lowermost part of the mantle, pressures can reach around 135 GPa (over 1.3 million times atmospheric pressure). It's important to note that the Earth's mantle is not uniform in temperature and pressure. There are variations and different layers within the mantle, such as the upper mantle, transition zone, and lower mantle, each with its own distinct characteristics. The extreme conditions of temperature and pressure in the Earth's mantle play a crucial role in various geological processes, including the movement of tectonic plates, magma generation, and the formation of different types of rocks. Scientists study these conditions to gain a better understanding of Earth's internal dynamics and the processes that shape our planet's surface.