What would happen if the Earth become completely solid?

In summary: Would this lead to other significant changes?A1. The interior of the Earth can turn into a solid state over time (10-50 years) due to a process called 'magnetization cancellation'. This would lead to significant changes in the Earth's environment, including the cessation of earthquakes, volcanism, and continental drift. Q3. What are some of the physical consequences of this hypothetical event?A3. The loss of the Earth's magnetic field would be among the most significant consequences of the solid Earth scenario. Without it, human-generated CO2 emissions would no longer be a threat to life on Earth, but other impacts such as the loss of the solar wind would be harmful.
  • #1
ExNihilo
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Let's imagine that the interior of the Earth becomes completely solid. And suppose this happens within a period which is humanly observable (10 - 50 years?)

I guess that Earth quake, volcano, continent drift will all stopped. Are there any other significant impact?

Thanks in advance for your opinion.
 
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  • #2
We could lose our magnetic field, which would be bad. There'd be no continental movement, so there'd be large hotspot volcanoes around Hawaii and the Canary Islands if vulcanism was to continue.
 
  • #3
Vagn said:
We could lose our magnetic field.
This is enough to end life on Earth in a long run. Can you please elaborate on the physical reasons why the magnetic field would be affected?
 
  • #4
ExNihilo said:
This is enough to end life on Earth in a long run. Can you please elaborate on the physical reasons why the magnetic field would be affected?

The magnetic field of the Earth is generated by a dynamo effect of the outer core. If this wasn't a liquid, it would not work.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamo_theory
 
  • #5
Thank you for the link. Understood for the magnetic field. Just to continue on this imaginary scenario of the solid Earth, would there be any other changes? Weather, Mining, Ocean, etc?
 
  • #6
ExNihilo said:
Thank you for the link. Understood for the magnetic field. Just to continue on this imaginary scenario of the solid Earth, would there be any other changes? Weather, Mining, Ocean, etc?




The whole food chain with chemosynthetic bacteria as its base would be negatively affected when the hydrothermal vents (black smokers) cease to exist.


Hydrothermal vents Article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrothermal_vent



Hydrothermal Vents Video
http://video.nationalgeographic.com...t/habitats-oceans-env/hydrothermal-vents.html

Please note that I am assuming a completely solid Earth with no continental drift or techtonic plate activity to create and sustain undersea volcanism.
 
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  • #7
Over 10 000s of years the Earth will freeze and become a snow ball. Without volcanic outgassing to replace CO2 sequestered by rock weathering there would be a slow run down in total atmospheric CO2 levels and the cooling would reach a runaway state when the glaciers were far enough south. This happened before when the sun was much weaker but the outgassing eventually added enough CO2 to melt back the ice.
 
  • #8
On the plus side, a solid Earth would mean no more earthquakes or volcanism. And human C02 emissions would no longer be viewed as a threat to life on earth. On the other hand, loss of the magnetosphere would be bad. Solar wind would sputter away the Earth's atmosphere and we would be bombarded by high energy radiation. Neither condition is conducive to life on earth.
 
  • #9
Thanks Vagn, ferrelhadley, Chronos. These were the answers I was looking for. I would like to benefit from your knowledge further.

Q1. Would the Earth become solid one day? If yes when (approx value is more than enough)?

Q2. What is the reason the iron core in the Earth cannot keep its magnetic properties permanently?
 

FAQ: What would happen if the Earth become completely solid?

What would happen to the Earth's atmosphere if it became completely solid?

If the Earth were to become completely solid, it would no longer have a gaseous atmosphere. This is because the atmosphere is made up of gases that are lighter than the solid materials on the Earth's surface. Without the gases to maintain it, the atmosphere would dissipate into space.

How would the Earth's climate be affected if it became completely solid?

If the Earth were to become completely solid, it would no longer have the ability to regulate its temperature through natural processes such as the greenhouse effect. This could result in extreme temperature fluctuations, making the planet uninhabitable for most life forms.

What would happen to the Earth's magnetic field if it became completely solid?

The Earth's magnetic field is generated by the molten iron in its core. If the Earth were to become completely solid, the core would solidify as well, resulting in the loss of the magnetic field. This would have major consequences for life on Earth, as the magnetic field protects us from harmful solar radiation.

How would the Earth's geological processes be affected if it became completely solid?

If the Earth were to become completely solid, there would be no more tectonic plate movement or volcanic activity. These processes are driven by the movement of the molten material beneath the Earth's crust. Without this movement, the Earth's surface would remain relatively unchanged, resulting in a lack of new land formations and a stagnant environment.

What would happen to the Earth's oceans if it became completely solid?

If the Earth were to become completely solid, the oceans would freeze over. This is because the Earth's oceans are kept in liquid form by the heat from the Earth's core. Without the heat, the oceans would freeze, resulting in a loss of marine life and major changes to the Earth's climate.

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